I moved.
Found a rhythm that made her gasp. Made her arch. Made her tail tighten around my arm while her legs pulled me deeper.
The Essentia transfer intensified. Her Liminal Step ability pressing against my consciousness. Showing me glimpses of the In-Between. The spaces between spaces where she traveled.
I showed her something back.
Not abilities. Not power.
Just me.
The fear I carried constantly. The exhaustion I never admitted. The way her presence made everything feel manageable even when nothing was.
She saw it all. Felt it through the connection.
And she didn't run.
"Faster."
I went faster.
The bed protested. The headboard hitting the wall in a rhythm that would be obvious to anyone paying attention.
I didn't care.
Mera's sounds filled the room. Those gasps and moans that told me exactly what she needed. I gave her everything she asked for and more.
When she came, her portal ability flickered.
