Page 28 of Bonded By Tea and Tarot

That’s certainly not true, but if she doesn’t want a big deal out of it, I can understand that.

“I brought my books!” she says, raising the stack in front of her like a trophy. “I’ll just go drop them in the bin.”

The two head off towards the front desk, and I glance down to see a single shiny black stone resting on the edge of the shelf next to where she was crouching. I smile and shake my head, then reach down to tuck it back behind the line of books.

The two omegas have their heads bent together when I get around to following them, and I hang back, giving them a chance to talk. Bea is whispering to Siobhan, and her face flushes as she glances at me and then away again. She shakes her head at whatever Bea says, then they exchange a hug and she strides back over to me.

“Ready to go?” she says.

I nod, and we head out. “Bye Bea, nice seeing you,” I say, waving to them as we leave.

“Want to walk through the park?” Siobhan says. “I’m not quite ready to be cooped up again yet.”

“How about a short walk until we find a shady bench?” I counter, keeping in mind the doctor’s instructions for minimal physical activity. It hasn’t been a week yet, so she definitely needs to be resting still.

“That sounds like a compromise I can live with.”

So we meander for a few minutes, taking in the crisp, fall air. She points out a maple tree that’s starting to turn, the leaves on one side bright with orange and yellow, while the other is still green.

“I’m excited for the fall colors this year. It’s always so pretty,” Siobhan says.

I hum in agreement, then we settle onto a bench and she turns to me, suddenly serious.

“Aury,” she says. I raise my eyebrows and angle myself towards her, mentally preparing for her to pull away. She licks her lips and fiddles with the edge of the velcro on her wrist splint.

“What is it?” I finally say when she doesn’t continue. “You can tell me anything.”

“I know,” she whispers. “That’s what scares me.”

My brows pull together and I take her uninjured hand in mine. I don’t care if she’s about to break my heart, I’ll still offer her whatever comfort I can. If she says she just wants to be friends, I’ll be the best damn friend she’s ever had.

“Iwanttobewithyou,” she blurts out.

“You want to…” I trail off, sorting through the jumble. “Be with me?”

She nods and swallows hard, holding eye contact with surprising intensity for an omega. She continually impresses me, and I get lost for a moment in the sparkling aquamarine of her gaze.

“Do you…” she says, blinking and then finally darting her eyes away. Her hand tenses in mine, and her voice is soft when she continues. “Do you want to be with me too?”

“Siobhan.” I breathe her name, a reverent exhale that I never want to leave my lips. “My gorgeous Moonbeam. I’d love nothing more.”

“Really?” she says, wide eyes darting back to me.

I nod, trying not to let out the manic grin I can feel building inside me. “You’re my dream woman.”

“I am?” She blinks at me in astonishment, and I can’t hold the smile in anymore. It breaks across my face, and I tug her into me.

“You are. I’d love to court you, date you, whatever you want.”

“You don’t need to⁠—”

“But I want to. Unless that’s not what you want.” I pause to curl a hand gently behind her neck and tip her head back so I can drink in her expression. “Do you want to be courted, Siobhan?”

She bites her lip, eyes pinging between mine, and I wait patiently for her answer. Finally, she offers a slow, careful nod.

I dip my forehead to hers and breathe her in.

“Brave girl,” I murmur. “Thank you.”