She nods, her lip catching between her teeth as she chews nervously. “Thanks.” She doesn’t look at me when she says it, her shoulders caving a little.
Frowning, I move into Lark’s space and use my thumb beneath her chin to tilt her head back. “You good?” I ask her softly, my gaze searching hers.
She swallows. “I…” Her brow furrows. “I want to be alone.”
“Oh.” I drop my hand. “Right. Of course. I’ll check on you in the morning?” It comes out as a question because I’m not sure if she wants me to check in on her at all or just… leave her alone indefinitely.
She doesn’t reply, just frowns.
So I turn to leave, not wanting to upset her any more than I already have. “Good night, Lark.”
I only make it a step before she grabs my hand.
Electricity shoots up my arm at the contact, my heart skipping a beat in the process.
“No, I mean, I want to be alone. Or I should want that. But I… I don’t. I…”
She’s frowning when I glance back at her.
“You want me to leave?” I ask, somewhat confused by her grip on my hand.
“Yes,” she says. “But no.”
One of my eyebrows lifts. “Kind of sending me mixed messages right now, sweetheart.”
Her brow pinches even more. “I know. I just…” She releases me and growls at herself. “I’m not scared. I’m… I don’t know how to describe what I’m feeling. I’m not weak. I’m not this girl. I’m not… I’m justnot. Okay?”
None of that makes any sense to me. But I reply, “Okay.” I just want her to feel comforted.
Which is when I realize what she may need.
My purr.
It ignites in my chest before I even finish the thought, and her shoulders instantly relax. Her eyes fall closed. And the next thing I know, she has her nose pressed against my pec and her arms are winding around my waist.
I hug her back, my purr deepening, and she sighs.
She’s been through some trauma today. Or a lot of trauma, I guess.
Because of us.
And also because of her brother. Her family. Herbirthright.
But mostly because of us tricking her and more or less kidnapping her.
The least I can do is offer my purr.
So I do.
I pick her up and sit with her on the bed.
She curls into me, her cheek rubbing against me like a cat marking her territory.
I love it. Pretty sure I love her, too.
That thought becomes confirmed when she falls asleep on me, her soft little snores making my purr intensify as I shift her onto the mattress.
Her golden hair splays across the pillows, but her lips pout as she reaches for me in her sleep.
