“Come here, love,” he murmured.
Celina dropped her head to his shoulder and leaned into him with a grateful sigh.
The movement disturbed the osa enough that he made an annoyed sound and hopped out of her lap, trotting to the entrance of the cavern to peer out into the rain. Deciding it wasn’t worth getting wet, he climbed up the protruding rocks on the wall opposite them until he made it to a ledge. Nestling into the crevice, he curled up and wound his tail over his eyes. His fur shimmered and darkened until it blended with the shadows. The only visual indication he was still there came from tiny flickers of movement.
“I think he has the right idea,” Celina said with a chuckle.
“Mmm.”
Much as he would love to progress their relationship to spending the day curled up in bed together, he had a promise to fulfill first. The weight of it had burdened his mind and heart through the stormy night.
While Celina had immediately collapsed into her bedroll in an exhausted sleep, he’d sat awake watching her and sorting through his emotions. One realization in particular had reverberated through him as he’d listened to her make soft, pained sounds as she accidentally put pressure on one of her wounds.
She could havedied. Not from her magic, but from the perfectly natural occurrence. Life could be taken in an instant—magic or no. That truth had settled deep in his gut and wrestled some of his fears under control.
For the first time, he was able to admit to himself that he was tired of running. From the pain, fear, and tarnished memories. He wanted true freedom, and he was finally ready to reach for it.
The fire roaring close by coaxed their space into a cocoon of warmth, protected from the rain that continued to fall. Rodric let the waves of heat wash over him. The rhythmic crackle of the fire soothed his nerves, the familiar sound giving him the strength to voice his fears.
Keeping his head resting against Celina’s, he spoke quietly into her hair. “I’m not ready to talk about certain things, but others… I’d like to try.”
He was in no way ready to talk about Avery yet—her magic, how she died—but he could start with something less traumatic and work up in sharing his painful history. His sister’s story would have to wait until his soul was less burdened.
“I’m right here, Rodric. Start wherever you’d like.”
“I think…” He swallowed hard. “I think I’d like to start with Damien.”
She twined her hand with his free one. “You don’t have to begin by delving into the pain. Tell me a good memory.”
The memorable day at the seashore Sam had evoked flitted into his mind. He recounted part of the day to Celina, describing how fun his friend had been. They’d made tiny sailboats to race in the ocean, except Damien kept cheating, using his magic with the air to push his boat past Rodric’s. At long last, he gave in to their complaints and stopped trying to win, turning his attention to Avery’s boat instead. She’d giggled incessantly as he’d helped her take the lead, smiling adoringly at him. Eventually, Rodric and the Zafar siblings had tackled him, forcing him to give up the antics.
“He did just about anything to make my sister laugh. I finally realized they were sweet on each other that day.”
“Did they get much time together before he died?”
“A year, maybe.”
Part of the wall he’d built around his heart fell with the admission. The shattering feeling escaped from the hole in a rush to flood him with feelings he’d locked away. He tightened his arm around Celina.
“They died together. Both of them in my arms that day, after the fire.” He couldn’t stomach sharing details, but he could tell her that much.
“Rodric, I’m sorry.”
Quiet blanketed them, broken only by the crackling of the fire, as Celina gently stroked his arm in soothing movements. Just like he had after the nightmare, he focused on the feel of her hand on his skin, letting the feeling wash over him until he calmed.
“Thank you for coming after me last night.”
Shifting, she turned slightly so that she could look him in the eyes. “I’ll always come after you when you need me… wherever you run.”
His fingers grazed her face with a soft touch. Leaning in, she kissed him gently. Her hand settled over his heart on his chest. Careful of her injuries, his hand swept over her back as he brought her closer. Keeping his desire banked, he kissed her softly. Leaving the invitation of more open, letting her decide if she wanted to move the boundary line she’d set.
Arching slightly, she deepened the kiss. Thunder boomed loudly, echoing around them. Elation soared through him when she didn’t flinch, but instead snaked her hand around his neck to pull him close.
Chapter 14
Stretchingback,Celinasoakedup as much sun as she could without falling off her log seat. “Mmm.”
Laughing, Rodric joined her. “If you lean much farther, you’re going to topple into the mud.”
