their tantalizing scents. Strange, brightly colored insects flitted among the delicate and abundant petals.
In front of them was the most beautiful waterfall Lanie had ever seen in her life. The crystal clear water spilled into a large pool surrounded, and strange pterodactyl-like feathered birds flew around the top ledge where the water came down.
The place was stunning and surreal, but at the same time, it was strangely familiar, and Lanie found herself drawn to the waterfall. She was almost there and out of the canopy of trees when Lanie saw the other three planets in the sky.
Looking more closely at the sky, Lanie saw a faint trace of a golden halo and spun around in a circle so she could see everything.
Firm, sturdy earth and grass went on for miles around, and Lanie was stunned at the amazing transformation that had occurred within the few short weeks since she’d been there last. It was impossible, and she looked at Cin.
“This can’t be the same place. There’s no way all those chunks of landmasses became a planet in two weeks.” Lanie couldn’t take her eyes off the incredible landscape.
“Time works much differently in the vastness of the universe.” Cin took Lanie’s hand and led her to the waterfall pool. “This place won’t even be discovered by Earth for another two hundred and twelve years. Once found, it will be near death, and the civilization that called it home will have already found another world to call their own. One that began much like this one.”
“I don’t think my head can wrap itself around all that,” Lanie admitted, kneeling at the edge of the pool. “I can’t fathom watching it begin and still be alive to watch it all disappear. It’s so sad and strangely feels like losing a friend.”
“It’s life.” Cin sat on the ground beside Lanie. “As much as we fight for freedom and our God-given rights as sentient beings, it’s easy to forget the basics. Like enjoying the things that are important to us while we can. Just like the beginning and end of this world, everything can be gone within a blink of an eye, or at the whim of time.”
“That’s beautiful,” Lanie whispered, running her hand through the water. “And heartbreaking at the same time.”
“It shouldn’t be,” Cin countered with a gentle smile. “Life continues whether in this one or the next. But we get to choose how we live the life we’ve been given. We can focus on the end, or the beauty of the beginning and the story that plays out for us every day, and write our own happy ending.”
Lanie looked up at Cin in surprise when he reached into his pocket and pulled out a golden ring that sparkled with dozens of diamonds around it.
“My life truly began the day you entered it, and I’ve fallen in love with you. I’d be honored and grateful if you’d consider spending the rest of your life exploring the stars with me.” Cin’s hand trembled as he held the ring out to Lanie, terrified that she’d run away.
Lanie burst into tears, and Cin’s heart sank until she reached up to cup his cheek and looked at him with watery eyes.
“I love you too, and I’d be the one honored,” Lanie managed to say before launching herself into his arms.
Cin blinked back his tears as he held Lanie tightly in his embrace until she calmed down. When Lanie finally moved back a little bit, Cin handed her the ring he’d made for her. He smiled at the tears that popped into her eyes when she held out her finger and let him slide it on.
“It’s so beautiful, Cin. Thank you.” Lanie struggled no to cry again.
Suddenly, Lanie felt a rush of nanites flowing up her finger, and she looked at Cin in surprise before her mind felt like it completely cleared, then expanded. Knowledge flowed through her head like water, and Lanie was having a hard time with the images playing out in her mind and reality in front of her eyes.
“Easy,” Cin whispered and gently held her in his arms. “Don’t fight it. Let it all come to you.”
Lanie had no idea how long they sat there, wrapped in each other’s arms before she was able to think again. The first thing that hit her was that Cin had just given her almost as much knowledge and power as he had.
The ability to create portals ran through her mind and the laws and complexities of time,