Soren waited patiently as Maeve finished with her tears,wiping the last of them away with the back of her hand. After a moment, she pulled in a long, deep breath, her back straightening and her shoulders squaring. Within one breath, he recognized the mate he’d come to know and love. When she next looked at him, it was the confident Maeve, the playful, joyous, adorable Maeve.
“I’m sorry I didn’t say anything before,” she said. “I just…how could I tell you this when I don’t even know myself?”
“It’s all right not to know. Not everything has to be decided at once.”
Maeve nodded. “That makes me feel much better, actually. I’ve been trying to think about what it is I want to do, where I want to go, but…the idea of doing it alone doesn’t appeal as much.”
“When the time comes, you’ll know it’s the right opportunity. Just as I knew you were for me the moment I saw you.”
A grin lifted her rosy lips. “What changed your mind?” she asked gently. She didn’t have to elaborate, he knew what she asked.
Taking his own deep breath, Soren admitted, “I suppose the time came that I had to decide. And I decided I don’t want to be without you, whatever that may mean or look like. And,” he couldn’t help but laugh, “there was some meddling.”
“Mmm,” she hummed, her grin growing wider. “Yes, I’ve had some of that as well.” Maeve leaned against him, snuggling into his chest. “I think we may have been a bit silly, Mister Soren.”
“I think that might be so, Miss Maeve.”
“In our defense, neither of us asked for this.”
“Or had any true experience with it.”
“And we couldn’t actually listen to our elder siblings—that would make theminsufferable.”
“Indeed,” he laughed. Dropping his lips to kiss her hair again, Soren said, “Whatever comes, Maeve, know that I will standbeside you.”
Her arms slipped around to hold him tight. “I’d like that very much.” Tilting her head back, she smiled up at him, and Soren didn’t need more invitation. He met her expectant lips in a sweet kiss.
It’d been barely two days without holding and tasting her, but it’d felt much longer. He savored every texture and scent, every nuance and color. They were at the beginning, the two of them, and beginnings were always obscure and intimidating.
No one but seers knew what the future held, but that was all right. Soren chose not to be afraid, for he had too much to look forward to.
Perfection truly was sitting in a puddle of sunshine, a warm rock beneath him, as his chatty, content mate fussed over him. He’d never known such simple pleasures before Maeve but didn’t think he could do without them ever again. He didn’t even mind the sharp tugs on his mane as she deftly worked her little comb through it, plucking out each burr and foxtail.
“Good grief,” she laughed, “who actually won this battle—you or the brambles?”
It was a fair question, given how many tangles and scratches he now wore, but Soren was happy to confirm, “I’ve won.” He wasn’t used to it yet, but there was no doubt that today, he was a victor in all things.
“Well, these things put up quite the fight. I think gloves are in order next time.”
“But then I couldn’t use my claws.”
“Hmm.” Leaning over his shoulder, she snagged one of his hands to turn this way and that.
Soren couldn’t help a grin, besotted with the feel of her pressed to his back. He sat patiently as she considered his paw,pretending to look out over the vast blue lake before them. After finding their feet and setting right their clothes, Maeve had lamented how dirty they’d gotten and decided the thing for it was a jaunt down to the lake.
Making good on his promise, Soren followed her anywhere.
The afternoon sun was perfect, warm but not too hot, and a cool breeze sometimes teased them off the water. It was a blissful way to spend the rest of his day, his toes soaking in the water while the rest of him soaked up sunshine and Maeve’s attention.
“I wonder if we might make some with a small hole at the tip of the finger,” she mused. “For the claws to go through.”
“You are very clever,inaná,” he purred.
“Just looking out for your poor forearms,” she laughed, giving one a pat. “I’m quite fond of them, you know.”
She might’ve mentioned it before, and Soren wasn’t above putting his paws on his knees as she went back to combing, showing off his forearms to the best effect.
Soren closed his eyes as her pleasant chatter and the warm sun lulled him into complete serenity. Every now and then there was a tug, but it was always followed by a cooing apology and kiss to his cheek. Honestly, he was starting to look forward to each snarl she found, but she was already an expert in teasing out tangles—she’d had to do it enough times at school that she’d begun carrying a small comb and various other little tools in one of her deep pockets.
