Pride. I can hear it in his voice, feel it through the bond. Like he's showing off something precious.
Lora beams. "I'm so happy to meet you. I've been telling Lorenth foryearsthat he needed to find someone, and now—" She clasps her hands together. "Now he has! And you're bonded! This is perfect."
I glance up at Lorenth, uncertain, but he just shrugs. "Told you she'd be excited."
"Excited?" Lora scoffs. "I'mecstatic. Do you know how worried I've been? Watching him mope around the city for weeks, refusing to tell me what was wrong?—"
"I wasn't moping?—"
"You were absolutely moping. Don't even try to deny it." She turns back to me, eyes sparkling. "So, Senna. I'm taking you to lunch."
I blink. "What?"
"Lunch. You and me. Girl time." She waves a hand. "Lorenth can go brood at his bakeries or whatever it is he does all day, and we can get to know each other properly."
"Lora—" Lorenth starts, but she cuts him off.
"Don't 'Lora' me. She's my sister now. I want to get to know her." She looks at me, expression softening. "If that's alright with you, of course. I know I can be a lot."
I should say no. Should stay here where it's safe, where Lorenth can keep me protected from?—
From what? His sister?
The thought is absurd. And there's something about Lora's open, genuine smile that makes me want to say yes. Want to try.
I miss Mira. Miss having someone to talk to, someone who understands what it's like to be human in a world that doesn't always make space for us.
Maybe this could be good. Maybe I could have this—a friend, a sister, a place in Lorenth's life that extends beyond just the two of us.
"I'd like that," I hear myself say.
Lorenth's arm tightens around my waist. "Senna?—"
"It's okay." I look up at him, trying to project confidence I don't quite feel. "It'll be fine."
He studies me for a long moment, those storm-blue eyes searching mine. Then he nods slowly and pulls me toward the stairs. "Give us a minute."
Lora grins. "Take your time!"
He guides me back up to the bedroom, shutting the door behind us. "You don't have to do this if you're not ready."
"I know." And I do. He'd never force me. "But I want to. She's your sister, and I—" I swallow. "I miss Mira. It might be nice to have someone to talk to."
His expression softens. "We'll find a way to fix that. Get Mira here, if you want. She's important to you, so she's important to me."
My chest tightens. When did I get so lucky?
"Thank you."
He cups my face in both hands, thumbs brushing over my cheekbones. "I can come with you. Keep an eye on things."
"She'll probably want to interrogate me about you," I point out. "That'll be harder if you're there."
A reluctant smile tugs at his mouth. "Fair point." He leans down, capturing my lips in a kiss that makes my toes curl. "I'll go check on the bakeries then. But if you need me—anything—I'll come immediately. Anyone in the city can tell you which stores are mine."
I nod, warmth flooding through me. "I understand."
One more kiss—deeper this time, claiming—and then he pulls away to get dressed. I watch him move around the room, pulling on a shirt and boots, wings shifting to accommodate the fabric.
