Love you too, Sasu…
Satisfied that I am alive and thoroughly punished for worrying him, Sasu steps off my throat and trots away, letting out a few more chirps for good measure.
I’m about to try to sit up when something shifts on my chest. Surprised, I glance downward, and my heart leaps to my throat when I notice Willow’s head resting on my chest.
I take a deep breath of her scent, and the bond hums, filling my veins with fire that threatens to consume me. It wants me to take her, to fill her with my seed until her belly is swollen with my pup.
Breathing through my mouth, I try to calm my racing heart, knowing I’m in no state to breed my mate at the moment. But soon…
For now, I’m just happy she felt safe enough to fall asleep on my heart.
Sensing my gaze, Willow stirs, her eyes opening slowly to reveal the most beautiful pair of green eyes. The circle of red stands out starkly against her natural hue, making them appear even more ethereal.
“You’re awake.” Her mouth tips into the barest of smiles. “How do you feel?”
“There are no words to describe it.” Slowly, I raise my good arm, brushing my palm lovingly over her dark brown mane. “You are speaking to me again.Touchingme. I have never been happier in all my life.”
Willow’s nose scrunches up in the cutest little expression, and my heart beats wildly against its cage as I resist the urge to crush her against me in a tight embrace. “I mean, how do you feelphysically?”
“That hardly matters.” I rake my claws lightly across her scalp, and a shudder runs through Willow’s body. “You are in my arms. Everything isperfectright now.”
Wanting to wrap both arms around her, I attempt to raise my other, but as soon as I move, a wave of agony travels up my shoulder.
I wince, and Willow’s expression morphs to one of concern. “Youarestill hurting. Let me go get Nyx?—”
“No,” I say, my voice hoarse from pain and desperation. “Please.I don’t… I have been apart from you for so long. Please don’t leave me.” I don’t care that I sound pathetic—right now, Ineedher. If she leaves my side, I’m afraid my heart might just stop beating, and all of this will be for nothing. “Please, please stay with me, Willow. A little pain is barely anything to deal with as long as I get to hold you.”
She frowns, but nods and lays her head back on my chest. “Okay. I’ll stay, Rhune. But if the pain gets to be too much, you let me know, okay?”
I nod, knowing I will do no such thing. I will die before I ask her to leave me, even for a moment. There is no question about it.
I lay in the furs with Willow for some time, brushing my claws through her beautiful dark mane and enjoying the ecstasy it is to be in her presence after so long.This… this is truly heaven.
“How rude! I can’t believe thatneitherof you invited me for snuggles.”
Willow turns her head just in time to see Nyx bounding toward us, his expression bright and mouth fixed in his signature grin. “Rhune just woke up a little bit ago. He, um… he didn’t want me to come get you.”
“Of course not. Rhune is an extremely greedy boy.” Nyx plops down at the edge of the bed, his double-headed tail flicking playfully at his back. “Unfortunately for him, I’mfarmore persistent. And obsessive.” He winks at Willow, and she turns from him as pink spreads across her cheeks.
“I’m glad to see you in better spirits,” Willow says. “You were pretty gloomy for a while there. I almost mistook you for Dravik.”
Nyx chuckles under his breath. “I can’t be charmingallthe time, you know. Rhune really worried me.” He turns his eyes toward me, taking in the raised dark-pink skin covering my shoulder. “Speaking of… howisour weary traveler feeling?”
“He’s in pain,” Willow rushes out. “He won’t admit it, but I know his shoulder is killing him.”
“Nonsense. I am a strong mate?—”
“You are astubbornmate. Let me work some more on it.” Nyx shoots me a no-nonsense glare.
I shake my head, resolute. “You’re probably tired from putting it back together. I don’t want you to overexert yourself.”
Nyx’s mouth tips in a wry smile. “We put you back togetherthreesun flips ago, Rhune. Dravik and I have since rested and fed. I am more than capable of healing you.”
“Three… three sun flips?” My eyes go wide. “I had no idea…”
“You nearlydied,Rhune. I’m surprised you’re awake right now, to be honest.” Nyx crouches at my side, placing his palms to my shoulder as he sends a wave of healing magic beneath my skin.
My face relaxes as Nyx’s twists in concentration. I know he was lying about being fully rested—but I won’t push the issue in front of Willow. When he’s done, he sits back on his heels with a deep sigh and a sweat-slicked brow, though he seems immeasurably pleased with his progress.
