“Stop fretting, Peace,” Monqilcolnen whispered against my scales, elevating my pulse.
“When was I fretting?”
He laughed, and my soul throbbed. That sound would never not bring me a deep sense of joy. So few people could make Monqilcolnen laugh, and I could with ease.
“I can feel you tensing, and I know you.”
“You do,” I replied.
I hooked an arm around his neck, even though it was slightly awkward with me sitting on his lap. Monqilcolnen’s arms tightened around me, one hand flat on my stomach and the other on my chest.
“Everything will be fine,” he told me. It was a lie. Not even with his gift could he know that. Unless he’d had a certain intuition about it.
“Do you know that?” I asked quietly as I tensed. I wasn’t sure how Monqilcolnen would react; we hadn’t really discussed his inner fire much. I didn’t want to press, but I also couldn’t deny I was curious.
“No, not in the way you are asking.” He pressed another kiss to my neck. “But I believe everything will work out. And if it does or doesn’t, I shall be here with you either way. Nothing will take me from you.”
I swallowed and tightened my arm around his neck. “Promise me.”
He chuckled. “I promise. Once again. And I will promise you as many times as you need.”
“You do promise that rather easily,” I commented, searching, hinting, hoping he was feeling even an inkling as to what I was.We belonged together. I was fairly certain Monqilcolnen knew it, but I wanted more than belonging. I wanted him to love me as I loved him.
A star exploded in my chest. I loved Monqilcolnen. I loved him. I would have never thought that was possible when I was a child or even when I became an adult. Before Monqilcolnen, I would have never been capable of falling in love with anyone, but he had made it so easy. And yet, I was terrified. What if he did not care for me as I cared for him? Could he even love me?
Monqilcolnen chuckled again. “It was an easy question, Wyn.”
“Was it?” I asked.
Kissing my neck, he growled, “Yes.”
Warmth filled my veins. That sole word gave me hope.
Chapter 54
Cooperation and collaboration is the way forward.
Letting Wyn out of my arms, even two days later, seemed like an impossible feat. Talvax hadn’t made a single remark about him, nor about me shirking my duties, which I hadn’t expected. However, it wouldn’t have mattered even if she had. Wyn was my sole focus, and he was still recovering from his ordeal; even Doctor Qinlin had said as much when she’d stopped by to inspect him. She’d insisted Wyn not strain himself, and I aimed to keep him relaxed.
Wyn, being himself, had insisted on working, so he was reviewing the latest reports. He’d commended Noxlyn’s summaries as well as his organization of everything. I wasn’t sure if the quiet seeker would love or hate the praise, but Iappreciated his work, because it was helping Wyn and the other seekers who were attempting to save the ship that I hoped to one day call mine.
But he had finally placed his screen down to turn his full attention to the gaggle flooding our quarters. Seth had Wyn in a tight embrace while Urgg blubbered apologies, even though they looked rougher in appearance than Wyn. As far as I was aware, Talvax and Urgg hadn’t made up yet, which had to be a strain on them both. But no one was as stubborn as Talvax when she put her mind to something.
Bartholomew was standing back a bit, staring blankly at the huddle on the couch. He moved even further away when Camden all but threw himself, rather dramatically, on top of them. Kalvoxrencol started snarling when Seth winced, and Serlotminden was cackling away along with Camden and Urgg. Noxlyn was as quiet as Bartholomew and soundlessly pulled Camden off everyone.
Vorjyn, who’d snuck in, came to my side. “They’re an odd bunch.”
I smiled, running my eyes over every single one of them. “They’re my family.”
“All of them?”
“Yes.” Even the pretty human I didn’t always like.
He clapped my shoulder. “I’m pleased for you.”
“You could join in,” I said. Vorjyn had only ever cared about me, though that might be too strong a word. I truly didn’t know, even after all of these years. I knew he held some kind of affection for me, or was at minimum amused by me enough to keep coming around. Regardless, I was his friend, and I would continue to be his friend.
“I’m disgusted by the mere suggestion. Not for me.”
