His sharp smile appeared for a brief moment. Even that was growing on me. It was no longer strange, just endearing.
I shifted around in the little nest, copying his position. With my head on my bicep, my nerves ignited as I met his eye and shared the truth. I pulled at a piece of straw that had poked up through the weave of the blanket.
The corners of his eyes pinched with sincere concern. “I can understand anyone would want to return to their home, especially taken the way you were. But you also said you have to get back for your aunt?”
“Yes.”
“Because she’s not well?” I nodded, and he frowned. His tail seemed anxious, winding and unwinding around his leg. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s not your fault. She’s been sick a very long time.”
His expression was contemplative but open as he mulled over this information. “How long have you been gone?”
Dread curled around the lovely dinner in my gut, leaving me cold.Too long. “By my count, seventeen weeks.” I’d never been away more than a single week before, and that was when Sal was far healthier. My trips into the mountains for rare herbs and flowers were always carefully scheduled around times I could afford to be away—generally those coincided with her healthiesttimes. I never left unless I could have Merry from the grocers or Gerald from the candler check in on Sal when they made deliveries.
“Do you use your ability on her?” he deduced quite wisely.
“Yes. Routinely.”
“How many healing sessions has she missed?”
“Eight. Almost nine.” The long silence was heavy.
“I will do everything I can to get you home quickly.”
Something behind my ribs expanded at his solemn expression as he made the promise again, at the way his hand reached for mine across the borrowed blankets and squeezed my fingers. His thumb idly traced along my knuckles, and my throat clogged again. I breathed in through my nose, heart aching with every beat. I’d known this demon a length of time that could be calculated in mere hours, but he’d shown me more care, kindness, and loyalty than almost anyone else in my entire life had. “Thank you.”
He smiled and wriggled around some more, fluffing areas of hay here and there. “I should go wash before getting too comfortable.” He bounced back to his feet, wading through the straw. He disappeared down the stairs, leaving the light behind.
My mind was tired but spinning, trying to compartmentalize everything that had happened since Seir appeared in my room. I hardly knew how to handle several days of decent meals, good sleep, and a trustworthy constant companion.
I curled my legs up tighter to my chest, the straw bed indeed quite comfortable with the help of the thick, clean-smelling blanket. With my head pillowed on my hands, my eyelids grew heavy. Once I closed them to ease the gritty burn, it was already too late.
The sound of Seir coming up the stairs registered in my mind, but I couldn’t have moved if I wanted to. My body hadgiven over completely to resting. He blew out the lantern and shuffled around a bit in the straw.
“Sweet dreams, Hailon.”
Sleep took me as the warmth of another blanket was gently draped over my body.
Chapter 11
Seir
Hailon was still curled up in a little ball, her breathing slow and even as I willed my body to relax back into slumber. I’d slept a bit, but it was still hours from dawn.
Normally, I’d get up, wander down to the unit desk and check on my assignments. Pop over for an in person visit if needed, write up my reports. It was a comforting routine, if boringly predictable. I absently calculated how long I’d been gone, finding it still far less than a shift cycle. I also wondered if I faced any kind of reprimand for being gone, despite having been summoned.
Turning on my side, I allowed myself several long minutes of watching the little human as she dreamt, my thoughts tangled and distracted.
Her hands were tucked under her cheek, her knees drawn up close to her chest. I wondered if I should perhaps have given her a third blanket the way she was curled up. Her slight form moved with every breath she took, a slow expansion and deflation. Even sleeping, she was lovely.
I, on the other hand, was a mess since having come topside. I was sleeping even less than usual despite my vigorous activity.My chest ached at odd moments, sometimes so fiercely I worried I might be ill. Even the smallest notion of approval from this fierce woman brought me pride so intense every part of my body responded.
Every. Part.
I scrubbed my hands across my face and turned away from her, scrunching my eyes closed. I’d had my share of lovers, but none of them ever affected me in such a way. It was a slow, delicious ache from the moment she looked at me until I saw the first breath of a smile. There was no relief from the crushing pressure of wanting to make her happy or being sure she was fed and cared for. And I might not ever have been summoned before, but I knew this was not part of that contract. This was different. I just couldn’t explain how or why.
Had circumstances been even slightly different, Kalob would not have survived our encounter. His joke had been anything but funny, and the slight to her honor had struck me in a deeply personal way. Which… was odd but not altogether unwelcome. The fierce little creature needed someone to take up for her, and that might as well be me.
