Dane asks something about the security cameras, and Jonus gives a one-word answer that is clearly meant to end the conversation. Aldar appears at his elbow with his tablet, wanting to discuss something, and Jonus says “Later” with enough finality that even Aldar retreats.
He navigates through the chaos of his family like a man on a mission, deflecting every attempt at conversation, until he reaches me and drops into the chair beside mine. His thigh presses warm against my leg. He leans close, his breath on my ear. “I need to talk to you.”
A shiver of heat runs down my spine. I search his face. “I can tell.”
“It’s important.”
I lick my lips. “I know that too.”
“Can we?—”
“Sloane, look at my drawing!” Zoe materializes beside me, waving a piece of paper. “I made it at school. It’s you and Uncle Jonus and Loki.”
I laugh and take the drawing. It shows a green figure with horns holding hands with a smaller figure with orange hair (close enough to auburn, I suppose). Between them is a brown blob with four legs that must be Loki. They’re standing in front of a house with mountains behind it.
My throat tightens. “Zoe, this is beautiful. I love it.”
“You can keep it.”
“I will. Thank you.”
Zoe bounces away, satisfied. Jonus watches her go with an expression that’s half frustration, half tenderness.
“She drew us holding hands,” I say softly.
“I see that.”
“In front of a house.”
“Yes.”
We look at each other and for a moment the crowded kitchen fades and it’s just us, the way it was that first night in the jungle when he said my name and everything changed.
Laurie asks me how my feet feel. I answer. Ellie wants to know if Melissa has responded about the article yet. I check my phone and say no, not yet. Dane makes a comment about the weather. Someone drops a fork. Loki barks.
Jonus is vibrating beside me with barely contained frustration.
Then breakfast starts to wind down. Dane and Laurie move to the living area with their coffee. Ellie is clearing plates. Garlenwipes down the stove. Zoe settles on the floor with Loki and kid’s tablet. Aldar is in the armchair with his grown-up tablet.
The room isn’t empty. It’s not private. But apparently Jonus decides he cannot wait a single second longer.
He turns toward me and takes both my hands in his. His grip is warm and firm, the bruised knuckles press against my fingers. “Sloane. Last night you told me you love me,” Jonus says, his deep voice carrying across the quiet kitchen and living area. “And I didn’t say it back. I need to fix that right now.”
The rooms go completely still. In the living area, Laurie slowly sets down her coffee cup.
“I need to let you know that I didn’t say it because I was afraid.” His jaw works. “When I was young my mother left the commune. Left us both. She’d once told my father that she loved him and she wanted to build a life with him in the commune, but then later regretted that decision and she left us both and we never saw her again. My father didn’t survive the loss. I was afraid that if I said those words and you left, I wouldn’t survive it either.”
I stare at him. He’s never told me about his mother. I didn’t even know.
“But someone I trust told me something this morning.” His eyes flick to Garlen for just a second. So brief I almost miss it. “He said that you took the risk first. You said the words before I did, and the least I can do is match your courage.”
His hands tighten around mine. “I love you, Sloane.” His voice is raw and completely certain. “I’ve probably loved you since our first video call, when you told me you weren’t interested in my soundbites. I loved you when I flew to Colombia to rescue you from certain death and found you in that jungle holding a rock.”
My eyes are warm and watery. This ridiculous, beautiful, stubborn orc. He’s saying it here, in front of his whole family,because he couldn’t wait another minute. “I love you too,” I remind him.
“I know,” he grins. “Your editor wants you in DC,” he continues.
My stomach drops because here it comes, the impossible choice?—
