And until every kingdom fell and the stars burned out, I would love her.
Ilivedfor her. I wanted her in every quiet moment. I wanted her beside me in peace and squall. I wanted her in my arms atnight, and here again in the first rays of morning, exactly like this.
My stomach growled loud enough to startle a bird somewhere nearby. I grimaced. “Really?” I whispered to myself.
Carefully, I slid away from her, tucking the blanket back around her shoulders. Pressing a kiss to her forehead, I slipped out of the tent. I figured the only way to make a confession of love even better was to include breakfast.
I crouched near the coals, sleeves rolled past my elbows, hair sticking out at unholy angles. The pan hissed as fat from the salted pork snapped and spat. Beside it, a small pot of oats simmered. I should not have been humming. Saints, I didn’t even realize I was doing it until Thistle stirred.
“You’re in a good mood,” she rasped, voice still thick with sleep.
Vesper stalked closer to me. “Who are you and what have you done with Mav?”
“Am I not allowed to be in a good mood?”
“I mean, I guess you’re allowed,” Vesper said with a flick of his tail. “I’ve just never seen it before.”
Branrir’s heavy tread approached. “He does look lighter.”
Thistle’s grin sharpened. “I think he had a much better night than the rest of us.”
Heat crept up my neck. I bent over the pan as though the exact alignment of pork strips were a matter of grave importance.
Thistle crowed with laughter. “I knew it! I bet you?—”
“Since I’m a gentleman, I assure you I haven’t a clue what you’re talking about,” I warned, though the edge in my voice was blunted by the ridiculous smile tugging at my mouth. Saints help me, I could not seem to stop it. “She loves me.”
The three of them turned into living statues.
“She what?” Vesper croaked.
Branrir’s eyes turned to saucers. “She does?”
I nodded, a broad smile claiming my face.
The teasing faded from Thistle’s expression as she wrapped me in an embrace. “You deserve this,” she said. “Both of you do.”
“Thank you, Thistle,” I managed to say around the lump in my throat.
“Did she say it aloud?” Branrir asked. “Did you?”
“I didn’t imagine it if that’s what you’re getting at.” I rolled my eyes. “I’m going to bring her breakfast and tell her.”
Branrir went terrifyingly still, the color draining from his face. “She’s asleep.”
My brow creased. “Yes…she needed the rest after the nightmare of yester?—”
“No, Mav.” His hands shot out, gripping my shoulders. For the first time since I had known him, there was fear in his eyes. “She’sasleep.”
My stomach dropped. My hands went numb.
Thistle’s lips parted in horror. “Saints…it’s day fourteen.”
“No, no, that’s—that’s not—” The forest spun. My lungs seized. “We should have one more day, we should get the rest of the?—”
Branrir shook his head, tears lining his eyes.
My knees nearly buckled. I staggered back, shaking Branrir’s hands off me, heart slamming against my sternum.
