"You perform a simple dream summoning, and you think you've challenged me, Byron?" Serena laughs in return, raising herself above the ground. She's not going to let him get away with feeling he has one over on her. "In dreams anything is possible, it is the easiest magic to learn. As simple as flying, Byron, any novice can do it...."

She hovers above him for a moment, until he grasps her by the waist and pulls her down to ground. "I don't think any novice could summon you, Serena," he says. "You are too powerful & well-trained for that."

Holding her firmly, he draws her down into a deep & passionate kiss, like he used to do when they were lovers, such a long time ago, before she dedicated her life to serving the Goddess, before he started making movies. "I don't think a novice like myself could have summoned you, either, Serena, if it weren't for what we've shared." There's no denying the truth of his words. Only a great power could have summoned her dream-spirit out of her own dream, and there are not many powers greater than the bond she shares with this man, no matter how many years have passed since they have shared physical love. No matter how many other lovers he's had...

"Have you missed me, Serena?" he asks her, stroking her neck, "I have missed you terribly...." Serena sighs, wanting to push him away, but unable to. "We swore we would never look back, never talk about what is passed," she says, avoiding a direct answer. She does not want to speak to him of her regrets...

He cups his hand under her chin & lifts her face to his. "I didn't know how painfully lonely my life's journey was to be then, Serena. I was young & a fool...But I won't speak of what is passed, if you insist on holding me to my vow. I'm speaking of what is now, Serena, about the long dark road that stands before us, about the future...."

"Byron, we've made our life choices, you cannot ask me to revisit this...and a dream is no place to discuss this kind of thing," she answers, knowing it will not satisy him.

His hands move up from her chin to hold her face, "Come to me tomorrow, then," he says, "You promised to be by my side for this production. We're doing a costume session tomorrow & I want you to be there." It's just a dream, but his hands feel so real, his eyes gazing into hers burn into her soul with real feeling. Feelings so very long suppressed...."I'll be there, Byron," she promises.

As he kisses her a final time, the world dissolves around them, and Serena awakens, alone in her bed, her cats meowing around her, demanding their breakfast.

NEXT