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Twyla
My cheeks hurt from smiling but I couldn’t stop. My heart was filled with so much joy, so much hope for the future that I was bursting with it.
Cedra had stayed by my side all night, murmuring pleasantries as people came up to congratulate me on my new residential status and hand me little homemade gifts that made my heart melt. They were curious, asking where I was from and how I’d gotten here in the first place. When Cedra nodded at me to go ahead, I regaled them with tales of my adventures. Of how I’d stashed myself in a bot box to run away from an arranged marriage.
My actions confused a lot of people, and more than one person asked, “But wouldn’t Cedra be able to smell that you’re human?” I laughed, having never considered that, mainly with my scenting abilities being nonexistent.
When the crowd started to thin out a little before dawn, Cedra drove us home, navigating the solar cart as I leaned against her shoulder. This close, I could feel her contentment like a blanket. It warmed me against the brisk predawn chill.
When we turned onto the little dirt road that led to the house, I burrowed closer against her warmth. The old house stood stark against the soft sky, and I wondered how I’d begun to feel such a connection to the old structure. It’s like I knew every creaky floorboard and rickety hinge, but I still loved it. I loved the idea that Cedra’s great gramp had built it from scratch with his bare hands, and it still stood tall generations later; I loved that there was history and love and laughter baked into those very walls. Most of all, I adored that I got to be a part of that, and a part of Cedra’s family.
Cedra pulled the cart to a stop in front of the house and helped me down. Our bodies collided and I let myself linger. Just a moment, I told myself. I just needed a moment to savor this feeling.
“I heard all of that, ’mara.” Her eyes were bright. “I’m lucky to have you, too.” Her voice cracked.
I pressed my cheek against her shirt and she pulled me closer with her arms around me. Despite the cramp in my cheeks, nothing could hold back my smile.
Gods, I loved this woman.
I heard Cedra’s breath hitch and her arms tightened around me with such protectiveness that I wanted to melt into her. Get closer somehow, even though we were probably as close as two people could actually get.
I felt fingers in my hair, pushing the wild curls to one side, baring my neck. I felt her rough fingers at my pulse points, thrumming softly. Waking me up in different ways.
“Wear my marks.”
It wasn’t a question, but I didn’t need it to be.
I was already hers at heart.
