"With my bear." She smiled, tired but genuine. "He's kind of hard to get rid of."
"He carried you back from that clearing himself. Wouldn't let anyone else touch you." Wendy's voice was warm with approval. "When a bear claims someone, they mean it."
"He hasn't claimed me yet. Not officially."
"Do you want him to?"
A week ago, Chloe might have hesitated. Might have listed all the reasons it was too fast, too soon, too much. Now, she just nodded.
"Yes. I want all of it. The bond, the mark, the forever." She met her sister's eyes. "I know it sounds crazy. We've only known each other a few months on this level. But when I was lying on that frozen ground, dying, the only thing I could think about was him. How I hadn't told him I loved him yet. How I might never get the chance."
"Did you? Tell him?"
"Not yet." Chloe glanced toward the door. "But I'm going to. As soon as I can stay upright long enough to have a real conversation."
"I think he's had enough waiting." Wendy stood, smoothing her skirt. "I'll send him up. Give you two some privacy."
"Wendy."
Her sister paused at the door.
"Thank you. For coming. For explaining. For..." Chloe struggled for the right words. "For believing I could figure it out, even when I didn't believe it myself."
"That's what sisters are for." Wendy smiled. "Now stop making me cry and go claim your bear."
She slipped out, and a moment later, Chloe heard footsteps on the stairs. Quick. Eager. The door opened, and Corin filled the frame.
He looked terrible. Dark circles under his eyes, his jaw rough with days of stubble, his clothes rumpled like he'd been sleeping in them. But his eyes, those hazelnut eyes that had looked at herwith such desperate love in the clearing, they were bright with relief.
"You're awake."
"I'm awake."
He crossed the room in three strides and held her against his chest, careful and fierce all at once. She buried her face in his neck, breathing him in.
"I thought I lost you," he murmured into her hair. "Three days, Chloe. Three days of watching you sleep and not knowing if you'd wake up."
"I'm sorry."
"Don't be sorry. Just don't do it again." He pulled back, his hands cupping her face, his thumbs brushing away tears she hadn't realized she was crying. "I love you, and I can't do this without you."
"I love you too." The words came easily now. Naturally. "I love you, and I'm not going anywhere. I'm choosing you, Corin. You and Hollow Oak. This is where I belong."
He kissed her, soft and sweet and full of promise. He pressed his forehead to hers, his breath warm against her lips.
"When you're stronger," he said quietly, "I want to make this permanent. The bond. The mark. All of it."
"Is that a proposal?"
"It's a promise." His eyes searched hers. "If you'll have me."
She smiled, exhaustion and joy tangled together in her chest.
"I'll have you. Forever."
He kissed her again, and she let herself sink into it. Into him. Into the future they were going to build together.
She'd spent her whole life looking for a place to belong and she'd finally found it.
