It’s a suitable cover, but that’s because it is not the whole truth, nor is it a lie. She does not want to have this discussion right now. There is something rotten in Deli-ville, and she has locked the tower down tight. I’m too wiped to pursue it. I’m certain it’ll come out in the coming hours, given that even my primary had to admit that we have to talk soon enough. I close my eyes and pretend this is my family being silly, all three of them, and that the coming moments won’t be as hard as I know they will.
“I’d rather you told me. I’d rather not hurt the golden one anymore tonight.”
Damn it, Taurus, shut up for a while and let the wounds heal a little. Could you let it lie for once in your life?
“It’s not hurting anyone, or I would not have said it, but thanks for assuming I would do that.”
Her voice is indignant, and the air gets thicker, as if now she’s sealing every crack and escape for any emotions or thoughts. She’s rebuilding the walls she had before she opened up for the healing and bricking them up tighter than before.
I feel it and I can’t say anything, because soon enough, none of us will even be able to tell. Everything in the past that we might have coaxed out of her—any healing she and Rafe might have done with that open conduit—got ruined because the bird couldn’t keep his beak closed when he was snooping.
Damn him and his mouth.
My husband is still quiet, his hand stroking my hair. He buries his face in my shoulder and he ignores their bickering. He’s cocooned against my side and not even defending her or me or acknowledging the bird’s presence. That is a bad sign that only I seem to have noticed.
“I’m sorry, love. I’m raw. It’s no good taking it out on you. Can you forgive me?” Taurus murmurs.
Only she gets that kind of contrition for sure. I wonder for a moment if she knows that.
“It’s okay.” That damned bottle clinks again, and I wonder why in the fuck she’s drinking Taurus’ scotch like there’s a hole in the bottle’s bottom.
The mattress shifts as Taurus rises and goes over to where she’s standing. There’s a flicker of relief coming from him, but nothingfrom her. She’s closed the door for now. Whatever secrets she has inside are staying there.
I smile, though, because despite my disappointment, I’m still lying with my husband, and the emotions coming off Taurus are much calmer when he touches her. Perhaps he’s absorbed some ‘pard’ stuff she was talking about. He seems centered when she’s touching him
“As much as I want this peace to last, I can’t let it keep going without spearing the elephant in the room.” I lean down and whisper in my mate’s ear, “Don’t you think we should talk?”
~I think so. ~
He’s not even responding out loud. Shit. I frown, blinking back tears. Something is very wrong here. “I’m not sure I can move yet. I still feel stripped from what I did.”
Rafe lifts his head, looking at our primaries. “Can you blink somewhere so we can chat?”
The bird snorts and then grumbles, “It’s my bloody home, you know. But as Talia’s not fit for travel, I suppose there’s another room or six we could use, unless the minx would like to go out to the gardens or pool or some such. What do you think, love?”
“I’m sure they know it’s our home. I’m fine with wherever you want to go, but I’d feel better if we went somewhere where I can gorge. I’m right on the edge if you remember.”
The bird can’t help himself, so he grouses more. “I suppose as he’s also my mate, he has as much right to use the facilities as the rest of my ever-growing family.”
Christ, I swear if he could take a hint, he’d be damn near perfect.
“Taurus, stop being an ass and take your wife to eat. Why she wants to have you to herself is beyond me, but I think she does.” I think for a moment, then reach out to her. “Come here, love.”
She might be smiling. I hope she’s smiling. I don’t know because I can’t see her, and she’s cut the lines. It might be because she’s mad at Taurus’ small invasion, or it might be because she needs rejuvenation. I’m hoping it’s one or the other and not something else.
“That’s okay. You’re clean, but I have not cleaned up yet. I wanted to eat first, as it’s bound to be messy. Taurus will be unhappy if I get sand all over the bed.”
“Bloody right, I will. It gets into the most inconvenient places.”
Frowning a little, I nod. “I wanted to thank you for everything. Next time, it’s you and me at the beach with no tragedy. Nothing but jollies, okay?”
“You’re welcome,” she replies. “I’m glad you are better.”
She doesn’t respond to the beach offer and I frown, feeling concerned about what is going on with my mates. I try sending her a picture that shows what I’m thinking about, and she murmurs something about next time in my mind. It doesn’t sound very certain or very promising. I wonder if today changed how she feels; she seems to be distant. She may even pull back from the things she thinks will cause her pain. I can’t stop her from doing that. I have my silent spouse to contend with.
I lie back against the pillows and listen to my primary gather her up. “Come on, love. I know when we’re not wanted.”
He reaches out to do something—smack my husband playfully, maybe? Rafe flinches, so Taurus speaks into his mind. I hatewhen he does that because he knows I can’t hear it when he talks to others. This time, however, there’s an echo so clearly that I’m almost shocked out of my spot.
