Brigid just stared at me with dry expectation. It struck me suddenly—the contrast of the woman I'd met who'd told me how our union would be, who stood in front of me now, and the woman I'd held as she fell apart in my arms the night before. I stepped forward and pressed my lips to hers, my blood rushing as she rose to her toes to lean into the kiss.
She was mine.
I hadn't been sure until now. She still might not be, but I told myself we would get there, in time.
I stepped back and then pushed open the door, turning immediately so I could catch her reaction. Brigid's eyes widened immediately, breath catching and lips parting. The room was fragrant with hanging herbs tied to racks that lined the high ceiling, carefully curated to match what I had cataloged from her cottage, and lined with freshly built shelves I'd designed with a thin brass bar across to better secure the glass jars that waited to be filled. A cozy fireplace took up a large part of the right hand wall, and I was grateful to whatever maid had thought to set alight the fire this morning, now crackling and making the room warmly pleasant.
"Torion," Brigid breathed, stepping inside and stopping at the large counter that ran along the left wall, lit by three oil lampsconces above. Below the counter were drawers filled with paper and ink, bandages, pouches waiting to be filled, and instruments for mixing concoctions.
"There is no reason why you may not continue your work here…when you are in residence," I said, trying not to sound too hopeful, too obvious in my goal. "If it pleases you."
A plush couch and two armchairs surrounded the large window opposite us, and a high bench waited near the counter for patients. And still, there was plenty of room for Brigid to maneuver, for her to fill the space with more furniture or tables if she chose.
"You did all this?" Brigid asked as I joined her at the center of the room. She turned slowly, her mug of tea still cupped in her hands.
"Anything you need—anything youwantis yours, if it's in my power to offer it," I said simply. I'd said it before, but Brigid often needed to be reminded of my promises.
Brigid turned to me. She was still pale, the rim of her eyes still red, but now her gaze was filled with an open wonder, startled but not unhappy.
"If there are changes?—"
"Don't you dare," she said quickly before pressing her lips flat and gazing once more around the room. Her expression eased as she looked her fill. "It's perfect."
I shrugged, ignoring the rush of pride bursting through me. "I'm sure you'll know what you prefer as you work in it. There is a?—"
The secret door would have to wait. Brigid moved swiftly, setting down the tea and then catching my face in her warm hands and drawing me down for her kiss. Her mouth covered mine, firm and earnest, and offered a long, simple press that for some reason left me blushing as she pulled away.
"Thank you," she said, holding my stare for a long moment.
"You're welcome."
I'd barely answered when she wrapped her arms around my waist, pressing her cheek over my pounding heart.
This is enough, I thought. But Brigid wasn't done twisting my heart into happy little knots.
"I'm sorry I ran," she whispered.
My arms circled her, and then my wings too for good measure. I lowered my head and murmured into the soft silk of her hair, "I'm sorry for all the reasons you felt you had to."
Brigid sighed out, ragged and weary, and perhaps relaxed too. She spoke again, barely audible except for the fact that we were cocooned and there was nowhere else for the words to go but in my waiting ear. "Would you send someone to collect my things from the cottage?"
I closed my eyes and took in a deep breath of her, my scent of home. "Yes, witch. If it's what you want."
Brigid nodded, nuzzling into the open collar of my shirt, swallowing her own greedy breath. "It's what I want. And what I need too."
Chapter Twenty-Seven
BRIGID
“Iought to delegate the trip to someone else," Torion muttered, scowling behind the large desk he used so rarely.
"You don't trust anyone well enough," I said, smiling at his resulting pout. "I thought you said you'd be back the same evening?"
"I will," he said roughly. "Seamus won't drag the business out. I could send for him to come here instead. He'd understand if?—"
"I'm not ready for others to know, Torion," I said gently, rounding his desk and trying to contain my laugh as he snatched me up and put me in his lap like he was getting away with something. Being nestled against him was precisely my aim in walking over, silly man.
Torion grunted. "Much as I'd like to crow the news from the rooftops, I feel the same. But I don't like leaving you on your own."
