Valex held her against his chest, rocking her slightly, as if he was trying to prevent her physical body from leaving him.
"My love," he whispered, pressing his forehead against hers. "I believe you can do this, and when you open your eyes, I will be here waiting for you."
...
Odesse opened her eyes slowly, looking around as everything appeared blurry. She focused her gaze upward and saw Valex's face as he held her in his arms, but her vision was still unclear. She smiled weakly and raised her hand to touch his face. "My king," she said softly.
"Star child, you have arrived at last," an invisible voice whispered, carrying no trace of its owner. Odesse's hand stopped mid-air, and she turned her head, only to be blinded by a bright light.
She screamed in agony, "My eyes!" Struggling to open them wider, she looked around and realized she was no longer in Valex's arms; instead, she found herself in a forest clearing, with the Moon Spirit hovering beside her.
