Page 132 of Ex Somnis

I glance at my watch again.

Still 10:22 a.m.

Still waking life.

Still impossible.

There is no scientific framework that adequately explains this new sensation in the middle of my chest. Science does not currently acknowledge dream tethers, nor does it account for soul contracts, or strange women who casually explain interdimensional mechanics over tea.

My entire professional life, I’ve pursued evidence-based reasoning, but now I have no choice but to examine metaphysical attachment theory.

I hang my head.

I offered a soul contract and made a formal declaration of love in a candy-themed dreamscape while a six-foot-seven man threw gummy bears at my ex-best friend.

No.

Best friend, again.

And co-boyfriend. Soulmate. Tether.

There are no peer-reviewed journals for this.

When I lift my head, my reflection looks exactly as tired as I feel.

I turn and glance into the bedroom. Lennon hasn’t moved.

If she doesn’t wake up this time, then what’s next?

Nevan is standing beside Ridge, carefully trying to adjust Ridge’s head so it’s not resting at a painful angle.

The sight triggers something in my memory.

“Stop looking only at yourself, and you’ll see them,” Seraphine’s voice echoes in my head. “Turn, and you will see them next to you.”

I look at the three of them as I remember the card Seraphine pressed against my chest. The one I glanced at but left in my back pocket of my pants since then.

Strength.

I have absolutely no idea what this card means. I’m not into Tarot in the slightest and have never even had the faintest interest in accumulating knowledge of it, but paired with the words she whispered in my ear, it makes sense.

“Sometimes we have to sacrifice ourselves for the ones we love.”

“Paul! Paul, I think she’s…”

Nevan’s sharp tone has me moving into the bedroom in an instant.

Ridge stirs in the chair as I pass him, but I barely register it because Lennon is looking at me.

Her eyes are open, light blue, tired, slightly confused, but very much aware and here.

“Darling.” I cross the room in three long strides and lean down, cupping her face.

God.

I close my eyes and kiss her cheek. The clenching in my chest and the irritating burning behind my eyes show me how little faith I had that she would actually wake up today.

Nevan sits on her other side, holding her hand, a look of wonder on his face.