He tugs her back to their room before Veda eases into the bed with him. A careful arm wraps around her as she turns on her side to face him. Hiram’s gaze holds something she can’t articulate, while her own feelings and sentiments sit on the tip of her tongue, ready to be expressed. Yet she doesn’t voice them.
“Did you sleep at all?” Hiram asks.
“Not yet.”
“I think today was the first time I’ve been able to sleep since ...” He trails off, the storm in his eyes encroaching.
Startled by the painful undercurrent of his answer, and lost in the swell between them, Veda reaches out as much as her body allows. She’s still sore, but she twines their hands together, sweeping a thumb over his knuckles repeatedly. The rest of her energy is devoted to brushing her lips against Hiram’s, letting them linger. There’s nothing more vital in the world than this single kiss. This fragile moment is firm but tender. Hiram doesn’t pull away until his heavy eyes flutter shut and his body begins to relax beside hers.
“What keeps you awake?” he asks.
Veda shifts closer, too tired to lie. “Thoughts. Memories.You.”
Hiram tenses, his eyes as blue as the sky stretched over a treacherous sea. Tumultuous and untamable. Indifferent to mankind’s whims. Veda does nothing except wait him out, but that doesn’t stop her from trying to navigate the storm.
“Have you processed everything yet? Talked to anyone about finding me? I—”
“I have.” Hiram touches her face, looking at her as if she can’t be real. “But I don’t want to talk about that tonight.”
Instead, he tangles their legs together and draws her closer. Veda’s fingers slowly, tentatively caress his face. She’s on the cliffside of affection, nervous that she’s going to fall.
But maybe you should,an errant thought whispers.
“I don’t have plans,” she murmurs. “I didn’t expect to survive, but now ... I-I’m overwhelmed with options.”
“Are you leaving?”
Veda considers him for a long moment. “Not unless you are.”
Hiram is fully awake, nerves ghosting his features. “I’m not.”
“I want to figure out what I want, what works for us, and I’d like to do it together.”
“Why?”
“Because I have time, and I no longer want to waste it.”
The corners of his lips twitch. “And why else?”
Her glare sharpens. “You’re going to make me say it, aren’t you?”
“Of course I am,” he says smugly. “I think I’ve earned it.”
She rolls her eyes. “You’re aggravating.”
“I know,” Hiram says.
“And an arrogant shit.”
“I know.”
It’s madness. It’s irrational. It’s terrifying. But it’s time.
Veda settles her head on his chest, his hand running the length of her back. She closes her eyes. There is grace in surrender. Peace in the free fall.
No more excuses, no more running. It’s time to stop denying herself happiness.
Veda relents. “You’re lucky I love you.”
