Mine. He'smine.
The thought still feels surreal.
Lora takesme to a restaurant in the market district, all outdoor seating and flowering vines climbing the walls. The server—a satyr with curved horns—greets Lora by name and leads us to a table in the corner.
"I come here at least twice a week," Lora explains, settling into her chair across from me. "They have the best honeyed bread. You have to try it."
She orders for both of us—bread and roasted vegetables and some kind of soup that smells incredible—and then turns those sharp eyes on me. "So. Tell me about yourself."
I freeze, fingers tightening around my water glass. What do I even say? That I was sold to an abusive husband? That I spent years being hurt and controlled and treated like property?
Lora must see something in my face because her expression softens. "Or we can start with something easier. How did you meet my brother?"
That's... better. Safer.
"At the Masquerade," I say quietly. "Someone grabbed me and Lorenth stepped in. We—" Heat creeps into my cheeks. "We spent the night together."
Lora's grin is wicked. "I knew it. Iknewsending him there would work." She leans forward, eyes sparkling. "Was it romantic? Did he sweep you off your feet?"
"He told me the whole thing was shit."
She bursts out laughing. "That sounds like him. Gods, he's such a grump." Her expression turns fond. "But he's a good man. The best, really. He'll take care of you."
"I know." And I do. I can feel it through the bond, can see it in the way he looks at me.
The food arrives and we eat in comfortable silence for a few minutes. Then Lora says, "I have two children. Kaelan is eight and Kova is six. Both absolute terrors who I love more than life itself."
"Lorenth mentioned them."
"Did he?" She looks delighted. "He pretends to be all stoic and uninterested but he's actually a wonderful uncle. Spoils them rotten whenever he gets the chance." She pauses. "My mate is Varos. He's a merchant—trades in textiles mostly. We've been bonded for nine years now."
Eight years. I can't even imagine. Can't fathom what it would be like to have that much time with someone who loves you.
"What's it like?" The question slips out before I can stop it. "The bond, I mean. Long-term."
Lora's smile turns soft. "It's... everything. Some days are hard—we fight, we disagree, he drives me absolutely insane—but I always know he's there. Always feel him at the back of my mind, this constant presence that grounds me." She touches her chest. "It's like having a piece of someone's soul woven into yours. And it just gets stronger over time."
Stronger. The thought makes something in my chest ache—but in a good way. Like anticipation.
"Lorenth will be good to you," Lora says quietly. "He can be intense, and gods knows he's overprotective, but he'll never hurt you. The bond won't let him."
I nod, throat tight. "I know."
We talk through the rest of lunch—easy conversation about nothing important. She tells me about her children's latestescapades, about the festival season coming up, about how Lorenth once accidentally set fire to her favorite dress when they were teenagers.
I find myself laughing. Actuallylaughing, free and unguarded in a way I haven't in years.
This is what I wanted. What I've been missing. Just... normalcy. Friendship. A life that extends beyond survival.
By the time we finish eating, I feel lighter. Happier.
Lora pulls me into a hug outside the restaurant, her wings wrapping around us both. "I'm so glad Lorenth found you," she murmurs. "And I hope we can do this again soon."
"I'd like that."
She pulls back, grinning. "Good. Because you're family now, which means you're stuck with me."
Family. The word settles warm in my chest.
