“Oona?” I repeat.
“One of your world’s names for the earth spirits,” he says. “My people use it rarely. For those who anchor us.”
My heart does a weird little lurch.
“Anchor you,” I echo, because my brain is apparently stuck in repeater mode.
“Stone without root is rubble,” he says simply. “My power shakes, breaks, fractures. Yours steadies. Grounds. The Marches are quieter with you here. So am I.”
I don’t know what to say to that.
So I don’t say anything.
I just hold his gaze and let the truth of it sink in—this terrifying, beautiful demon thinks I steady him.
That we… fit.
It’s a lot.
And yet… it feels weirdly right.
A soft throat-clearing sound breaks the moment.
I jump.
Standing at the top of the steps we were about to climb is a woman in a dark green gown, her copper-brown hair braided back from a strong, dignified face.
She’s older than me, maybe mid-forties if we’re using Earth years, with fine lines at the corners of her eyes and a posture that says she takes exactly zero crap from anyone.
Her gaze flicks from Dagan to me and back again, and then she dips into a graceful bow.
“My Lord,” she says. Her voice is low and warm. “Welcome home. And this must be?”
“This is Lady Alina.” Dagan releases my hand only to place it more deliberately on his arm.
“Brianne,” he says. “This is my viyella. Treat her with the same respect you show me.”
Brianne’s eyes soften.
“Yes, my Lord.” Then to me, with a small, genuine smile: “Welcome to The Barrow, Lady Alina. I am Brianne. I oversaw the household under the former Prime and have been entrusted with doing the same for Lord Dagan. It will be my honor to attend you, should you allow it.”
Attend me.
Right.
Cause that’s a thing here.
“I, uh… hi,” I manage. “Please, just call me Alina. Or at least drop the ‘lady’ part? I’m still having a hard time being anything except the girl who once fell into a mud pit on a survey and lost her boot.”
Brianne’s lips twitch.
“As you wish, L—I mean, Alina,” she says. “If you will come with me, there is much to prepare. The mating rites must be observed properly.”
Heat crawls up my neck.
“Oh. Right. Those.”
Dagan goes very still beside me.
