Chapter 1503

There was nothing to say.

Only the warmth of bodies and the slow, rhythmic pulse of the forest that seemed to echo with satisfaction.

It was Grace who stirred first, propping herself up on an elbow and gazing around at the others with a small, dreamy smile. "Is it always going to feel like that?"

Sophie turned her head, lips still parted. "It felt like time stopped."

"It did," Rose said softly, her voice thick with the afterglow. "This place isn't part of the island anymore. It's outside of everything. A sanctuary."

Zoey rolled onto her side, brushing hair from her face. "Then how do we get back?"

"We don't," Scarlet said, eyes half-lidded. "Not yet."

Layla stretched like a cat, her body arching with grace. "I don't think we're supposed to. Not until we're... finished."

"Finished what?" Natalie murmured from where she lay with her head resting on Stella's stomach.