“Like a promise. It’s a good start, I think.”
“But you only like black. And you don’t have anything else on that side yet. It will stand out.”
“Good. I want it to.”
I flushed hot. I couldn’t prove it, but in that moment, I was sure we were going to be okay.
When he was finished with his new mark, he moved away all the supplies and held his arm up next to mine.
“I love it.”
His sincere silver eyes bore into mine. “Thank you, Phin.”
I could only nod for a moment, my throat thick as the tears threatened again. I was an emotional disaster, and it was likely to get worse before it got better. He kissed my forehead, and I replied with one on his cheek.
“Would you lie here with me for a while?”
“Yes, of course.” He put out the lamp before lying down stiffly on his back, claiming only a single pillow. I huffed and maneuvered him onto his side, then settled into the pile I’d collected, lying in front of him.
“I feel better when you’re close,” I confessed.
“Me too, Feather.” His warm breath tickled as it blew across the back of my neck.
“I don’t want to break the bond, Tap. But you should be warned—I also don’t know how to be anyone’s mate.”
He rumbled a low chuckle. “Me neither. But I’ve been giving it my best effort. I promise to continue. Though you’ll have to tell me which meals I’ve fallen short with so I can improve. No greens is easy enough to remember, but I need to know the rest.”
I laughed outright, and for the first time in a very long while, I heard a faint resonance in it like I’d had before the incident. I wanted to be happy about that, but it also scared me. “Your cooking is fine. More than. You’ve been so wonderful. Truly. I promise to continue my efforts at balancing out those responsibilities. I’ve never been so spoiled.”
“And I insist that you are anything but.” His fingers brushed along my hip, tracing circles that made my skin tingle. “We’ll figure it out together. There’s no rush to do anything differently. Nothing has to change.”
“Okay.” I could feel him relax behind me, and my body responded in kind. “But what if I want it to? Like this. This is nice.” He made a noise of agreement. “Perhaps we just agree to do things slowly? Like starting over, kind of.”
“Then slow it shall be. You honor me, Phin. Thank you.” His hand splayed across my hipbone, and I covered it with mine. Several beats passed, then Tap said, “Oh. I keep forgetting to tell you. There was actually a stone kin watching the church.”
“I knew it,” I whispered harshly, excitement flooding my veins. “But also, Imogen told me so today. Her brother?”
Tap chuckled and settled more comfortably behind me, his arm over my waist as he pulled my back against his front and rearranged the blanket over us. “Yes, Tormund. He’s a lot like Coltor.”
“You met him?”
“Yes, that day at the church. We had a brief talk.”
“I have so many questions. Will we get to see him at some point, do you think?”
“I imagine so.”
The quiet settled heavily through the room, my eyes harder to open each time I blinked. “Will you stay with me tonight?”
“As you wish. Get some rest.”
With his steady breaths and strong heartbeat as music, I fell into the deepest sleep I’d had in a long time.
Chapter 31
Tap
Iwoke with blankets tangled around my legs and Phin curled up in a little ball beside me, her forehead pressed against my chest. My body was loose and relaxed, the bond quiet. Even my normally tangled thoughts were clear, orderly. The windows were still dark, but I felt more thoroughly rested than I had in years. I hardly knew what to do with myself.
