Goosebumps broke out over his skin after one such instance, pricks crawling like a thousand tiny insects making their way up his spine and around his head.
And there it was again. The whisper.
“Whatever it just said is a lie.”
Luna gasped, stumbling to a stop and staring at the floorboards.
Brand crossed his arms and leaned against the doorframe. “Was it just me, Luna?” He knew it wasn’t. No way she hadn’t been right there with him. If he could get her to focus on that, admit it?—
“No,” she answered, barely audible. “It wasn’t.” Her skin flushed as she searched the middle space, like she was trying to recall anything else he might have picked up. “You heard that?”
His greater half preened within, itching for a little freedom. “Not the particulars, don’t worry. More a feeling, and I can see you reacting.”
“How long?”
He pretended to consider it. “About the last half hour, or so, but I’d wager it’s been happening for a lot longer, hasn’t it?”
Her shoulders drooped. “It’s… one of the things I need to tell you.” She brought her hands up to either side of her head. “It’s never been this bad.” With a shaky sigh, she trudged over to the settee and plopped down, gaze fixed on the ceiling. “It started when I was twenty—just after my parents died.”
Her voice was completely flat, but the look on her face was devastating.
His chest tightened, aching for her. He’d known from Thad, but she’d never mentioned them specifically. Just heartbreaking comments like not knowinghow to bebecause she’d been alone for so long.
Whisper…
“Would you like to talk about it? Them?”
Her laugh was light, but bitter. “Likeis such a strong word, don’t you think? There’s so much to say, so much to confess. At best,I’m… terrified of it.”
Whisper…
She swallowed and pressed the heels of her palms to closed eyes.
“I vowed before that you could confide in me, whenever you were ready. That hasn’t changed.” He finally crossed the room and knelt before her. “Can you look at me?”
She dropped her hands and let her head flop to the side. Weeping Sisters, she was so damned tired.
“Let’s slow down.” His thumb smoothed back and forth over her knee. “You’ve hardly eaten in days. You’re wearing the same dress as when you started. We need to get you feeling stronger.Then,we talk. Hmm?”
Tears gathered in her lashes as she stared at him. “I’d like that,” she finally said.
Whisper…
“I’m going to carry you to the washroom—both because I want toandbecause you deserve it. Okay?”
Whisper…
“It’s not a power play. It’s not control.You deserve it,”he said again, hoping to counteract whatever falsities she was feeding herself. “You are worthy of everything I have to give, and there’s no greater honor for me. Don’t let it tell you otherwise.”
Brand knew the mating bond could be intense from his parents, but he hadn’t expected this… liberation? For once in his life, there was no doubt. No second guessing himself. He knew just what to do. Exactly what to say. Which movements his body should make.
Without a word, Luna nodded and stretched her arms out, and nothing had ever been as sweet as the way she wrapped herself around his neck, the way her eyes drifted shut.
He stood and scooped her from the seat in one smooth motion, and loosed a contented sigh. Having her there tamed the worst of the restless gnawing that had been eating away at him since the first moment she’d laid healing hands on Fern.
“I’m here,” he murmured into her hair. “I’ve got you.”
Whisper…
