“Very cute,” I sneer, attempting to pull away.
“You’re not ready,” he says softly.
“I’m okay. I just need a minute.”
“Take as many as you need,Saelûn.” His voice lowers to something just above a whisper. “I’m not ready to let you go anyway.”
Saelûn.
That’s the word from my dream:Saelûn,Ihavewaitedsolongforyou.
He says that word like I’m something special—and I hate how much I long to believe it.
The world has proven many times that I’m not.
“Okay,” I exhale, “What should I call you?”
He dips his head slightly, leaning closer to my face. “My name is Andrik,” he breathes. “But you can call me anything you'd like.”
“Andrik.” I offer my hand like a fool. “Nice to officially meet you. I’m Lumi.”
He looks down at my hand, then back into my eyes.
“Right,” I laugh awkwardly. “A handshake feels a little too formal, considering I’ve already humped you.”
A strangled noise escapes him.
“No,” he says softly. “It’s not that.” He pauses. “I would love to shake your hand, Lumi—but I don't trust myself to stop there once I have my hands on you.”
My mouth falls open.
What do I even say back to that?
“You don't have to be afraid of me,” he says quietly.
“That’s good… because I'm not,” I whisper back.
My hand is still outstretched between us. When I start pulling back, he reaches for it. His claws don’t scratch me, and his palm is cool against my suddenly burning skin. He threads our fingers together instead of shaking my hand.
“I’veneverheldsomethingIdidn’twanttobreakbefore,”he confesses.
9
FRECKLES
Andrik-
Her small hand is in mine. One wrong move, and I wouldcrushit. I promised myself I wouldn’t touch her again, but I needed to feel her.
My thumb brushes lightly over her knuckles; her eyes flick between our joined hands and my face. I can’t sense what she feels; it’s like a tangled ball of yarn.
Humans don’t feel the bond like we do. It takes longer. What roars like a fire through me is nothing more than a flicker of kindling to her.
At least, that’s how it works with other monsters. No Rhavari has ever bonded to a human before.
How do I tell her that even though we’ve just met, she belongs to me?
Her hand flexes, and my grip tightens instinctively. She probably hates that I’m touching her.
