In the weeks following that first memorable date, Morcant began making appearances more often, mentioning the various rituals he performed in an attempt to increase the magic he was able to hold onto each time he passed through the fabric of reality into my own world. Only some of these rituals were successful, most having no real effect outside of wasting his time, as he would comment with a scowl, muttering about how he would rather have spent the time with me in his arms.

It was not until I asked if there was anything that I could do on my side of things that might help that he blinked his eyes for a moment before looking at me with the same kind of expression I always wore when someone's random comment makes all my thoughts line up and the idea I was struggling with finally clicks into place and works.

And thus began a long conversation about items that could be used to slowly gather magic around a specific area, increasing what he would be able to draw on while here beside me. Items that Morcant could bring from his realm, but did not know where he could safely place them since this world was so different from his own. Especially the anchor, which would have to be guarded to prevent its accidental removal or any damage that might negate its ability to link the other items into a functioning magical network of sorts, a type of web to capture the magic within. All with the simple purpose of gathering enough magic to help Morcant extend the time he could remain within this realm.

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The first item he brought me didn't look very remarkable for something that was meant to gather the limited magic that sat dormant within my world. In fact, it could easily be mistaken for one of the many stepping stones that many had within their gardens as walkways, something that I ended up taking advantage of and trading it out with one of those in the nearby park where it would likely go unnoticed.

The second was a bit harder to find an area it would be safe within, the young sapling finally being planted on the edges of the work site after gaining my bosses permission, explaining it away as a rare young tree that had been given to me by a friend, one I wanted to keep safe until such time as I had a more permanent place to plant it in the future. Although, with the smile that turned up the corners of my bosses lips, I had a feeling they knew the person I mentioned was more than just a friend. Still, the sapling was planted safely and that was all that really mattered.

Finding a place for the third item Morcant brought to me was much easier, the smooth surface of the stone buried several feet deep within the dirt surrounding the local library's foundation. Sealed within a small metal box coated with wax, to ensure it was not accidentally picked up as just a common rock, in case it was unburied somehow.

It was several days before Morcant was able to bring the fourth item over, remarking on a notable change in the amount of magic he could feel. The excitement in his voice had me eager to find a good place for the unusual red crystal formation that he'd set within my cupped hands, finally deciding after a few days on offering to let the local rock and mineral club "borrow" it for an undetermined time period so long as they agreed not to do any damage to it. They could look all they wanted, even take pictures and touch it, but the knowledge that I could and would bring them to court with every connection I had put to use kept them from doing more than sigh at the lost chance to take a piece of the crystal for closer study to figure out just what the thing was made up of.

Swiftly, the fifth item was hidden deep within the roots of an ancient oak tree during the dark of night, the feeling of being watched as always making me hurry to sink the golden talisman deep within the dirt, yet another buried item that I hoped nobody would ever find.

The sixth and seventh items came at the same time, two coins that looked to be hundreds of years old, one of copper and one of bronze. One of them was put away in a privately rented lock box at a bank far from my home. The other was "on loan" to a local museum after a few hours of quiet negotiation.

The eighth piece was almost as hard to place as the sapling had been, although for different reasons. It was only after I noticed the stray dog following me around that I took a chance, following my gut feeling as I knelt down, placing the black chained collar around the strange dog's neck as it wagged its tail happily. The smell of sulfur filled the air as it ran off afterward, leaving before I could change my mind and take it back.

With the placement of the final item completed, Morcant returned with the anchor that would begin binding the other items to it. And it was not what I expected it to be, watching as he slowly knelt before me with a ring caught between his thumb and forefinger, the diamond sparkling brilliantly within the silver band. My breath seemed to be caught within my lungs, my heart beating wildly as I felt the energy crackling in the air around him, emerald eyes catching and holding my own as he looked up at me.

"I know this is meant to be the anchor to gather and hold the magic of your world, but I would like it to be something more than that. I would like it to also be the symbol of how much you mean to me, of the love that I hold for you, (y/n). The facets of the gem like the different facets of you yourself, each one lovely on its own but when seen as the whole, becomes truly captivating in its beauty. The band as an unending circle is the symbol of my neverending love for you, one which will last for as long as I exist, for as long as magic exists within the varied realms," speaking softly as he slid the ring upon my finger, he bowed his head and kissed the palm of my hand before meeting my gaze once more. " As long as there is magic somewhere for me to draw upon, even should I somehow become lost to you for a time, I shall find a way back to you. So I swear, upon the very magic that allows us to be together."

Standing again, he gently held me against his chest, his lips brushing softly against mine before it evolved into something filled with passionate longing. My hands found their way into his hair as I slowly lost myself in the kiss, hearing a soft crackle fill the air before everything became silent save for the sound of our quickened breaths as our hearts beat frantically within our chests.