"Here's your requested gloves," said Christopher.
Amanda and he were back to his chambers and upon entering, Cassy was already there with the gloves requested by Amanda.
"The servants help me bring food as well," said Cassy. "But Chris, people have eyes and ears. You can't let Amanda sleep in the same room. She can stay in the room next to mine."
"Nonsense! I will marry her soon," Christopher blurted out.
'Marry,' Amanda repeated to herself. 'Mary. Of course, Amanda. What else did you think about how he wanted you to be his forever?'
While she was reluctant, her heart fluttered with the idea of being Chris' wife.
Cassy sighed at her brother's response and said, "You know very well that when father returns and hears about this, he will end up disliking Amanda. People here are still traditional - not like the earth. You need to marry her first before you decide to sleep in the same room! Otherwise, she will only be looked down with a mistress status."
"Mistress?" Repeated Amanda. She glared at Christopher before saying, "I don't want that."
"Amanda, you aren't my mistress - I don't even have anyone else but you!" Protested Christopher before he shot an angry look at his sister.
Cassy raised her hands and said, "I'm just saying, we don't want the elders and advisers to think negatively of Amanda. It is best for her to sleep in the chamber next to mine." She looked at Amanda before saying, "You'll be safe there. I promise."
Deemed with no choice, Amanda and Christopher reluctantly bid goodbye. Amanda followed Cassy to the room next to hers.
Christopher could only hiss in disagreement. It was because Amanda was in another world that she cared for the opinions of those around Christopher. She sincerely wanted to make things work between her and Christopher.
At first, it was bearable for both of them. Four nights went by without Christopher and Amanda complaining, sleeping in separate quarters. Nevertheless, they were always together during the day.
Amanda helped Christopher and Cassy in any way she could, but considering she needed to be away from people, she mostly offered to prepare the arms of the soldiers or load supplies and food needed for the villages outside the castle walls.
Christopher insisted that she remain in her room since she was a guest, but it was not like her to just... sit and be pretty.
On Amanda's fifth night alone in her room, however, she felt empty again. She muttered as she lay on the bed, "This doesn't seem any different from me going to the Faroe Islands."
From inside her dark room of stone walls, Amanda turned to the door, hoping to see Christopher sneaking in. She got up and said, "I suppose. I could find his room instead - "
"Amanda." She heard a soft voice calling out her name. "Amanda."
She realized it came from the window, along with the flapping sound of huge wings. She rushed to open the grills she and there she found Christopher.
It was as if their longing for each other were in synch. Christopher decided he could not have another night without Amanda next to him.
Despite the dullness of the night, she easily found his handsome face and his perfectly shaped bare chest. She scoffed as she asked, "Why didn't you go by the halls?"
"The halls? anyone could easily see me, even at this late hour. Who knows who else could see me from the halls," he reasoned.
She tried to hold down her chuckle as she helped him inside. "Well, what about the men on guard?"
As soon as Christopher's feet made it inside the room, he slowly kept his wings while saying, "I made sure they weren't looking. Besides, my men would never tell on me. My father's advisers and some servants who are loyal to him, however, may tell on me."
They both stood silently for a second before Christopher said, "I can't sleep. I just keep thinking of you."
"Oh, so you only thought about me tonight? What about the previous of the four nights?" She asked, widening her eyes as she said those words.
"Haha!" He leaned over to kiss her lips. He savored the warmth of her mouth for some time, only to let go after being satisfied. He said, "Of course, I thought of you. I tried to hold myself back for your sake."
He hugged her without waiting for another response and said, "You are already in my world yet, holding you during the day seems not enough for me. Can I sleep with you, Amanda?"
She pursed her lips while being tucked in his arms and nodded, "Well, I was planning to go to your room, anyway."
They both chuckled their way to the bed, kissing and snuggling and gradually taking off their clothes.
Meanwhile, while Amanda and Christopher were getting busy, back on earth, the masters were troubled with more and more beasts that came to their world. For three consecutive days, there had been appearances of horrors in four different countries.
It had been too much work for Brody that he reported to the master of the heart, "I can't do this alone - Yes, Taara helps, but she has other responsibilities. We need Amanda! We also need the master of the blue crystal. Otherwise, Amanda will remain depressed about being alone!"
"Brody is right," said Taara. "We need to exhaust our means in finding the blue crystal master."
They recognized that they were overwhelmed, especially with Amanda going on AWOL. Plus, there was the matter of the masters from the future, looking for a Venusian sword.
The four masters gathered in the same cavern in Brazil, discussing the best route to take. All of them were in their second skin, having performed their duties throughout the day.
Trisha sighed and said, "I'll try to speak with Amanda first. As for the blue crystal master, I have tried many times to feel its presence - going around the world." She gave the saddest expression before adding, "I don't understand it myself, why I could not find him."
"So Amanda was right to feel hopeless about her situation," remarked Taara. She looked all the masters in the eyes before adding, "Then, we can't blame her - I won't blame her... If she ever decides to abandon her responsibility, I will respect her decision... I have witnessed her far too long, longing for the affection of someone."
The masters were conflicted, but they also recognized Amanda's inner desire. She wanted to belong and have someone, just like how the other masters had their fated ones.
Trisha and Abasi looked at each other. Abasi said, "Let's hope not. Let's hope that Amanda will choose to do right for the people of the earth."
Raising her hand, Trisha let out the crystal from her hand and ordered, "Kardia, the spirit of the heart, please find Amanda for me."
Aside from connecting through the beating of their hearts. All masters were linked through their crystals. Regardless of where they were, Trisha could find them or reach through them through their crystals. Even if they were in another world.
Trisha's eyes easily glowed in yellow. The crystal searched for Amanda's beating heart. After a minute, Trisha closed her palms and said, "Amanda is not on earth."
"Abasi, what is she doing in Pelagy?!" Trisha asked the master of time and space with her brows furrowed.
"I - I have no idea but, but recently she had told me about encountering Oscorians and finding the gate to that world," explained Abasi. He gave a puzzled look.
Trisha continued to frown, dwelling on her suspicion. Amanda had begun to act oddly since she met a man whom she could touch. Still, it did not explain her being in another world.
Trisha said, "It's not like her to be interested in another world." She reached for Abasi's hand and ordered. "Let's go to where Amanda is. Let's bring her back to earth."