I stepped closer and lifted my arm, giving her the choice.
She nodded, folding into me carefully, making sure no skin touched.
“Are you okay?” I whispered.
She let out a broken laugh.
“No.”
Sy watched us closely. “Stay here tonight. All of you. Return in the morning.”
“I shouldn’t – Echo will be frantic.”
“Echo will be fine. I’m sure of it.”
Seph laughed. “How are you sure?”
“Cos she’s badass. Like you.” I kissed her nose quickly, surprising her. She paused then smiled.
“Be careful, Ash,” she whispered. “I like you so much but—”
“I’m not afraid of you, beautiful.” I said simply.
“Maybe you should be.”
I looked over at Dev who was making himself a small nest with one of Sy’s sheepskin. He was watching her all the while pretending he wasn’t. I met his eyes for a second and saw the worry there.
But I knew what it was.
He cared about her. More than he expected.
“We’ll figure out this mess, Ok Seph?” Dev said calmly. “Because none of us – not even K – “
“Or I,” said Sy
“Are going anywhere. We are here for you, OK. Whatever you need.”
Seph’s face went pink and she blinked as if fighting tears. “You are all… too sweet to me.” She murmured.
“We like you, Seph,” I said.
It was almost a lie. What I felt for her wasn’t simple, wasn’t small. It was a wildfire already eating through my chest.
I’m gonna marry you.
Dev nodded once, slow and sincere. “Yeah. We do.”
His voice was strangely muted, like the words cost him something.
Seph curled onto the mat, staring up at the cave ceiling. I knew exactly where her thoughts had gone.
“Do you think he’ll come back?” she asked at last.
“Yeah,” I said without hesitation. “He’ll be back.”
“How do you know?” she murmured, burrowing into my side. For one shining moment, I let myself savour the warmth of her pressed against me.
I wanted to wrap her up entirely and never let her go.
