“I think she’ll make an exception for today.”
Her face lit up and then grew sly, as if we were getting away with something. “This girl really is a beauty. You’re going to have to show me how it works.”
I would show her anything, everything. My heart lit up with her smile. My hands itched to crush her curls, slant my mouth over hers. Only the fact that I would have her between my legs all day let me grab her hand and shout, “Let’s get ready!”
We dressed in light layers and my heart clenched that she still had my scarf in her hand. I looped it around her neck.
“This isn’t too little?” She pointed to the sweater over her dress and even flashed me a mouthwatering calf covered in wool.
“I’ll keep you warm, Honey.”
We laughed as we burst out of the house into the clear sunshine. The light made her features soft and dreamy. My hope that she would relax today grew into a living thing.
“You sure this will be okay?”
I took her hand. “Promise.”
“I trust you.” Her small smile squeezed my heart.
We trudged through the snow until we reached theoutskirts of Nightfell. The foothills of the mountains were perfect for sledding. Not too dangerous, but steep enough to be fun. Some of my happiest childhood memories were formed on these hills. Even my father had enjoyed a race now and then before he had become bitter and reserved.
Our trudge up the hill slowed as a wildcat took off into the trees and I placed myself between it and Honey.
“Nothing’s going to think we’re a meal on skis, right?” she asked.
“Predators don’t like to hunt so close to town. All the really scary stuff lives in the Old Wood. We should be safe.”
I got her to the top of the hill and plunked Clementine into the fresh snow. We were lucky. We were the first here. A spin in virgin powder was always the best ride. I would make this good for her. Honey looked down the hill, her mittens twisting in her hands.
“This is higher than I had expected.”
I noted her nerves through the bond and I fully expected a safety checklist at any moment. Not that I would blame her for it. I was a bit nervous too.
“We cleared out boulders and stumps years ago. So less people die.” Not my smoothest reassurance ever.
“Less?!” She bared her teeth in a grimace.
Dates required not dying. That much I was sure of. I ducked my head. This wasn't exactly how I thought this would go. Fallon could overthink a bath.
I held out my hands. “No, no. No one dies sledding.”
Maybe there was a small chance, but that was going to drain all the joy right out of Honey’s face.
“The most that would happen is you would break an arm or a leg.”
She backed up a step. “Okay, that’s not better, Declan.”
“Well, it’s definitely better than dying, but I take your point. It’s not fun if it’s not a little bit dangerous. I promise I will break my leg before I let you break yours.”
She wavered as I watched her mind work in real time. She nodded and looked at the sled.
“What do I do?”
Her trust sent me straight into the air in a hop. My tail wagged furiously even though it sat trapped in my human form.
“Scooch forward on the sled and I will get behind you and steer.”
Honey lowered herself as if the sled was going to take off any second. I held in my laugh.
