She wrinkles her nose, battling her tears, but nods. We leave the bedchamber and Rosalina clicks the door shut.
Dayton’s sitting there on his haunches, a fluffy pillow in his mouth, tail wagging. Rosalina strokes an affectionate hand over his ears. “You look like a golden retriever with a frisbee.”
Dayton spits the gob-covered pillow out on the floor. “Maybe we can’t be in there with him. But I can be right here.” He lays down, snout peering under the door. “I’ll always stay.”
The idea lights Rosalina up, and a smile forms on her tear-streaked cheeks. She runs to the firepit in the center of the room and starts gathering up all the pillows she can.
“What are you doing?” Kel asks.
She positions the pillows right by the door, tucking some under Dayton’s paws. Then she rushes back to grab the blankets off the couch. “Dayton’s right.” She touches the door. “Somehow, Farron will know we’re right here with him.”
I raise a wolfy brow as I watch Rosalina and Dayton create a nest of pillows and blankets.They’re a good team,I think.Both determined to see the light in even the darkest situations.My chest warms at how Dayton makes Rosalina smile.I hope he can see how happy he makes her.
As they’re debating what would be better to sleep on, piled blankets or piled pillows, Kel gives an exasperated sigh. He yanks the cushions off the couch. “These are best,” he says through gritted teeth.
“Here’s a lesson, Rosie,” Dayton says, his wolf’s smile strangely similar to the man’s. “The best way to get Keldarion to do something you want is to do it wrong. He’ll be sure to correct you.”
Keldarion stands in the middle of the nest—a giant creation of fluffy blankets and plush pillows—and turns in a circle, then turns the other way. Then he plops down. “If I’m going to sleep here, it might as well be comfortable.”
Rosalina gives the softest smile and somehow, she’s shining brighter than before.
Dayton gets into the nest beside Kel. “Big strong protector has to watch out for us?”
Kel cracks an eye open. “Yes.”
Dayton laughs, and I notice his fur isn’t damp anymore. In fact, I don’t even see the usual strands of rotten seaweed that wind through his fur.
Rosalina dives into the middle of the nest. She’d ran into her bedroom and changed into a light pink nightdress.
Warmth spreads through me.Short-sleeves.
Dayton crawls beside her and tugs the blankets over her body with his mouth. I sit awkwardly to the side, watching them. Keldarion’s curled in a tight ball, but Dayton lays his snout on the white wolf’s haunches. Rosalina curls between them, nearly engulfed in white and gold fur.
I walk quickly toward my bedroom, alone.
“Ez?” Rosalina calls. “Are you coming?”
An uneasy beat passes in my chest.You deserve to be alone, Kairyn whispers in my head.
“Hurry up,” Dayton says sleepily. “You’re the last one in so you’re the foot warmer.”
I squeeze my eyes closed.Shut up. Shut up. Shut up,I say to the voice in my head.This is my family.
Each step feels cautious as I approach the plush nest and step a foot in. Slowly, I lay the front of my body over Rosalina’s legs. Her eyes are closed, but she smiles and reaches down, scratching between my ears.
It feels… nice.
“Goodnight, everyone,” Rosalina whispers sleepily. “Goodnight, Farron.”
As I drift into oblivion, I hope he knows we’re right outside. His family, waiting for him to return to us.
Iwakebeforedawn.I’m so… warm. I know I must return to my own chamber before the sun rises, so I’ll transform in private and have access to my helmet. But I don’t want to get up.
Forcing myself up to my feet, I look at the strange nest we created last night. Dayton’s sleeping on his back, all four paws in the air, and a huge glob of drool running out of his mouth.Rosalina is right. He does look like a golden retriever.
And Kel…
Kel is a man, his naked form wrapped in Rosalina’s arms. They’re fast asleep, but Kel’s face is soft, reminding me of my friend from years past. A boy who had no knowledge of the trials of manhood.
