He disappears out the door, wings tucked tight to fit through the frame, and I hear his footsteps on the stairs. Then that bright voice again, closer now that he's downstairs.
"There you are! I've been calling your name for—oh my gods, are those fresh marks on your neck?"
"Lora—"
"You bonded! You actually did it!" A squeal that makes me wince. "Iknewyou'd find her at the Masquerade. I knew it!"
I should get dressed. Should make myself presentable before?—
"Where is she? I want to meet her!"
My stomach drops again.
I scramble out of bed, grabbing the wine-red dress from yesterday and pulling it on with shaking hands. The fabric tangles around my legs and I nearly trip trying to step into it. Deep breaths. His sister. Just his sister who probably wants to make sure I'm not some?—
"She's upstairs and you're not barging in on her." Lorenth's voice carries up the stairs, exasperated but fond. "Gods, can you not?—"
"I'm notbarging, I'mvisiting. There's a difference."
"You broke into my house."
"The door was unlocked!"
I edge toward the stairs, trying to be quiet, trying to hear without being heard. The girl—Lora—sounds excited rather than angry. Not like she's here to throw me out or tell me I'm not good enough for her brother.
Still. My hands won't stop shaking.
"Besides," Lora continues, and I can hear the grin in her voice, "I'm your sister. I have every right to meet the woman who finally got you to settle down. You've been impossible foryears, you know. Turning down every introduction, avoiding every festival, acting like the idea of a mate was some kind of prison sentence?—"
"It wasn't that bad?—"
"It wasexactlythat bad. You once told me you'd rather fight a rono barehanded than attend another bonding ceremony."
"That's still true."
She laughs, bright and warm. "Well, too bad. Because you're bonded now and I want to meet her. So where?—"
"Lora." His voice drops, serious now. "She's been through a lot. Don't... just be gentle, alright?"
A pause. When Lora speaks again, her voice has lost some of its manic energy. "What happened?"
"Not my story to tell. Just—give her space. Let her come to you."
I take a breath and force my feet to move. Down the stairs, one at a time, gripping the railing like it's the only thing keeping me upright.
They're in the main room. Lorenth stands with his arms crossed, still shirtless, his wings partially spread in what I'm starting to recognize as a defensive posture. And beside him?—
She's beautiful.
Tall and elegant, with silver-black hair that falls in loose waves past her shoulders. Light blue wings edged with pale tips catch the morning light streaming through the windows. Her eyes are the same gold-ringed teal as Lorenth's, but warmer somehow. Less guarded..
Those sharp eyes find me immediately and her whole face lights up. "Oh! You must be Senna."
I nod, not trusting my voice yet.
Lorenth turns, his expression softening when he sees me. He crosses the room in three strides and pulls me against his side, one arm wrapping around my waist. Claiming. Protecting.
"Senna, this is my sister, Loraeleth. Lora, this is Senna. My mate."
