“Right. The mate thing.”
“Yes. The mate thing.” He put the last book in place. Turned to face me fully. “Does it still frighten you? The bond?”
“I don’t know.” Honesty felt easier than lying. “Sometimes. It’s a lot. All of this is a lot.”
“I know.” He moved closer. Stopped just outside my personal space. Giving me room to back away if I wanted. “But I am not going anywhere. Whether you accept the bond or not. Whether you believe in it or not. I am here. For as long as you will have me.”
My chest felt tight. “You really mean that.”
“I have never been more certain of anything in my life.”
10
— • —
Wen
My feet were killing me.
After closing the bookstore and helping Malachar clean up, I trudged toward the stairs leading to the apartment. Every step was an effort. My legs felt like jelly. My back ached from hours of standing and reaching and managing the controlled chaos that had been my day.
I was three steps from the top when my foot slipped.
“Shit!” I yelped, arms flailing as I fell backwards.
Strong hands caught me. One arm around my waist, the other cradling my back. I was suspended in mid-air for a heartbeat before being pulled against a solid chest.
Malachar.
Of course.
“Careful, little mate,” he murmured. His voice was rough and low. “I would hate for you to injure yourself.”
I was pressed against him. Could feel every muscle, every inch of his body against mine. He was still wearing just the blanket, and I was very aware of how little fabric separated us.
“I’m fine,” I managed. “You can put me down now.”
“Can I?” His arms tightened slightly. “Or should I carry you the rest of the way? You seem... unsteady.”
“I’m just tired.”
“Then let me help.”
“I don’t need-”
“You always say that.” His face was close to mine. I could see the flecks of gray in his red eyes. Could feel his breath on my skin. “You never need help. Never need anyone. But what if I need to help you? What if being near you, caring for you, is what keeps me sane in this strange world?”
My heart was doing that stuttering thing again. “Mal-”
His eyes flashed. Brightened. A low rumble started in his chest that vibrated through both of us.
“Say that again.”
“What?”
“My name. The shortened version. Say it again.”
“Mal?”
