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“You will need to stay here for at least another week, my lady,” Kirigard tells me. “The bones in your left wrist were nothing but powder when Wodred brought you here. If I were a lesser healer, you would have lost the hand. I have convinced the bones to regrow, but they will need observation and coaxing to fully heal, though that joint might still ache when the weather is cold.”
“I understand,” I respond. “Thank you for your diligent work, Healer Kirigard.”
“Just Kirigard is fine,” the elf smiles. “And you should thank Wodred. He got you to me just in time. I have never seen an orc push his warbeast harder.”
The elf rises again and puts his hand on Wodred’s shoulder. “I will leave the two of you alone.”
As he leaves, Wodred sits back next to me, taking my good hand. “You should rest, Melelea. Your body has been through much. You still need to gain strength.”
“But you will stay?” I ask, feeling vulnerable.
“I will stay by your side as you sleep,” Wodred confirms.
“All right,” I agree. I can already feel my body wanting to go back to sleep. Maybe Kirigard gave me some sleep magic when he worked on my wrist. But first, I must say what is in my heart. “Wodred?” I begin.
“Yes, Melelea?”
“I love you,” I confess.
Wodred goes still, his eyes widening, ever so slightly, like he is shocked. If this comes as a surprise to him, then I have much to apologize for. I continue, “I’m sorry. I should have told you before, in the mines, but I was scared.”
“You have nothing to apologize for. I understand,” Wodred says.
“No, I don’t think you do,” I say. “I have only ever told one other person that I loved them. That person betrayed me in every way possible. But it was unfair to let my feelings about Guruk keep me from opening my heart entirely to you. You could not be more different from my past. I trust you, and I do love you. When I thought Grazrath was going to kill me, that was my biggest regret. That you would not know how I felt about you and that I would not see a future with you.”
“Never speak of Grazrath, love,” Wodred says, sounding tortured. “When I thought I lost you again . . .” His voice breaks, holding back tears.
“You will never lose me,” I promise. “I want to be yours . . . and for you to be mine.”
Wodred goes still again. “Are you saying . . .”
“Yes,” I confirm. “When I am well enough, I want to do a Bride Chase with you and for you to Claim me. I want to wash away the past and only look to the future . . . if that is what you want.”
“If that is what I want?” Wodred echoes, incredulous. “Melelea, I love you so much that it hurts to think of you sometimes. I want nothing more than to be your mate. Yours, always.”
“Then you’ll be mine when I’m better?” I ask with a smile.
“I am yours already, love,” Wodred says, leaning forward. “Body and soul. Forever and even after death. You are the only female who has ever had my heart. Today, tomorrow, always.”
“Then kiss me, Wodred,” I say. “And let tomorrow start today.”
And he does, making my heart sing.
