Ouch. I was afraid to ask what wedidlook like. She saved me from having to answer.
“Want to see magic? I scared Momma when it asked to play with me an… I made a fire on the floor. Now she won’t let me.”
“Of course I want to see. I thought only wolves lived here.”
She giggled in a pitch high enough to make a wolf howl. “We do, silly! But if you’re nice, Old Magic, it will play with you. See?”
Her little hands came together in prayer and she whispered words I couldn’t hear. Her wee hands splayed out and a burst of sparks appeared. The girl screeched indelight, the flickers growing into tiny flames. I edged back as they lit the space between us.
“Oh, no you don’t!” A woman came flying toward us, scooping the little girl into her arms. “Sorry. She’s never actually seen the Old Magic so I’m just trying to make sure she doesn’t burn down Nightfell.”
She tickled the girl, who snuggled back into her.
“Don’t worry, I’m pretty good at putting out fires. In a kitchen, at least,” I said.
“I’m afraid I’ll throw a tincture on it instead and our house will go up in a second. Though I’ll finally get to use my healing magic again, so maybe I can sell those.”
Another healer. I edged away on instinct. Those types always noticed too much of what I would rather keep to myself.
“I’m sorry. I’m being rude.” She stuck out a free hand, juggling her child. “Noreen.”
I had no right to be rude back. I was going to be here for a hot second. “Fallon.” She smiled at me with such warmth, I decided to try out our lie. “Declan’s mate.”
No strange light entered her eye. Magic didn’t crash down upon us. No prophecy ejected out of her daughter. I took a deep breath. Then another one. One more for good measure until their faces came back in focus.
The sea of wolves parted for a woman with long iron-grey hair, wrapped around her head in intricate braids. Was a girl allowed to faint as a first impression on their very fake mother-in-law? Declan put down all the giftsin his arms to greet her. Her back straight, chin firm, I immediately wanted to grow up to be her. Power radiated off her with a steely competence I could only hope to possess. I recognized the muscles of a chef. The bulk of her forearms made me dizzy.
“Bardeva!” she said. Centuries of standing over a fire made her voice whiskey and smoke. “You’ve returned. You’ve returned. Can you feel it? It’s everywhere again.” She looked as giddy as a schoolgirl.
“Clearly, Momma!” Declan said as he smashed into her ample chest, but he said it with too much good cheer for anyone to take offense. For all that Declan looked sheepishly uncomfortable, the stout arms surrounding him and the full-body radiating joy made it look like the best hug in existence.
I craved it like fresh spring water. My parents had died before I remembered their hugs, and my Aunt acted as though she should ration them for war. The few times I had had sex, it was out of sheer desperation for physical contact. Would Evie and even Maggie have hugged me if I had asked? Absolutely. But what if they caught me on a bad day? What if I flinched or involuntarily pulled away because of a pain I would then have to explain? They might have understood if I’d told them, but then they would want to help manage it and talk about it, and do something when there really wasn't much to be done. I had it under control, mostly. Right?! This was all under–
My spiral cut off abruptly as the same hug attackedme. Better than I ever would have imagined, pure bliss filled every part of me as warmth, care, and excitement wrapped around me. Her arms, granite blocks from hours of kneading, chopping, and butchering, held me tight. Her big palm cradled the back of my head. I clung to her, willing it to never end, but she pulled me back to search my face.
“And this is?” She barely contained herself, already knowing the answer in that way that mothers had.
“My mate!” Declan slid a hand around my waist, pulling me back to his side.
It was different when he said it as if he wholeheartedly believed it. The words still landed as a body blow when the entire crowd cheered.
It’s like you brought home untold riches and gold.I cringed inwardly as I worked to stiffen my spine.
Maybe I did.He winked at me.
I could do this. Holding her gaze, I said, “I’m a mate.”
I tried to hold out my hand and she eyed it. My palms began to sweat.
“I’m his mate,” I corrected myself, my tongue tying in knots. Retrieving my hand, I wiped it on my cloak. Come on, Fallon. I had just said it to the healer, but this was different. It was like showing my ugly nightgown to my hero.
“I’m Fallon.” Godds above and below I sounded likean idiot.
“My goodness, Tali! We don't need formality around family! Come, come, let me see you.”
She was already looking at me. What was left to see? I stepped back from her beckoning hands. A hug was one thing but inspection was another. That came with criticism. I found myself caged in Declan's embrace.
What is she calling me?I asked him.
