Chapter 1680

He saw the beginning of the island. Not in years. In desire. In union. He saw the first dreamers - not human, not creature - spirits of pleasure, of warmth, of love. They had merged, melted, become form. The island was their body. The trees their breath. The moss their skin.

He saw lovers across time drawn to this place. He saw the tree bloom. He saw the heartstone beat. He saw golden light become life. And he saw…

A child.

Not born.

Not made.

But dreamed.

Not just his.

All of theirs.

Golden skin. Bright eyes. A smile that lit the sky.

He gasped, pulling back. The water stilled again.

Behind him, the wives watched, breathless.

Rose knelt beside him. "What did you see?"

He looked at her, heart racing. "The next step."

Lucy came to kneel on his other side. "The fruit?"

He nodded.

Grace whispered, "Then we've only just begun."