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“Right. Feed. Wink wink,” Hannah teases. “Don’t think we can’t hear you two purring.”
I touch my chest. I’m so used to hearing it hum away in his presence that I didn’t even notice it firing up again. Sure enough, we’re purring contentedly at each other. It’s like our khuis are saying a greeting to one another, and it fills me with a pleasurable liquid heat. When R’jaal heads for the door, I follow him. “See you guys tomorrow.”
“Bye, Ros,” Devi calls.
“Bye Ros!” N’rav adds, and I bite back a laugh. Even the kids in the tribe are friendly.
I walk at R’jaal’s side, my hand looped in his arm as we head back towards our hut. The stars are out, the nighttime sky brilliant and full of colors. It’s the most gorgeous display of stars I’ve ever seen and I’m a little surprised at the sight of it—how have I been here for what feels like weeks and weeks now and this is the first time I’m noticing the stars? I gaze up at them, my breath catching at their beauty.
Just another silver lining. Then again, I’m not sure I need a silver lining? I have R’jaal. I glance over at him, drinking in his profile, the long sweep of his hair, the prominent horns, and strong, sure stance. It’s hard to imagine someone as compelling as him ever struggling with depression. He’s always got a smile on his face or is ready to help someone out. He’s been like that since I met him…surely all that can’t be because of me?
Yet everyone I’ve met has gushed over how thrilled they are for us, because R’jaal has been so lonely and he’s so happy now. Surely one person can’t be so responsible for the sheer joy of another…can they?
Then again, doesn’t he do the same for me? I feel like the sun comes out from behind the clouds every time he shows up and has a smile for me, or brings me something—like dinner—that shows he’s been thinking of me. I eye the extra-large bowl of food he’s holding against his chest. It seems like a good opportunity to tease him. “Hungry?”
R’jaal glances over at me, a broad smile on his face. His free hand slides to my shoulder and he tugs me closer as we walk across the pebbled beach. “I thought we could share a bowl. Unless you would rather spend time by the fire? We can sit with the others and I can get you a bowl of your own—”
I shake my head, interrupting him. “It’s fine. I’d rather be alone with you tonight.” I spent all afternoon being social, and my mind is still whirling with ideas of parchment and how to make a skin thinner and what we could use for inks. I don’t want him to feel as if I’m pulling him away from his people if he wants to go have a good time. “You should know something about me, though. I’m a bit of an introvert.”
He purses his lips, frowning, and then shakes his head. “I do not know that word. You make it sound bad, though.”
“It’s not good or bad. It’s just that some people really love being with others all the time and some find it draining, no matter how much they like the people. People that find it tiring to be around others for a long time are called introverts. That’s me.” I eye him as he slides a hand to the small of my back, steering me past another couple that’s heading for the big central fire, where all the good smells and conversation are. “I don’t want you to think I’m hiding away, but I also don’t want you to think I’m this social butterfly, er, this really social person when I’m not.”
R’jaal nods, his hand sliding to the back of my neck as we approach our hut. “You prefer to be alone with your thoughts.”
“It’s not that I don’t like people! I do. But if I have a choice between being social or spending time alone in the hut, I spend time alone in the hut.”
“And am I invited?”
“To the hut?” When he nods, I laugh. “Well I don’t want to be in there without you.”
“As long as I am invited in the hut, I do not care how much time we spend with the others.” He runs his thumb against the side of my neck. “It is expected for a male to spend his time with his resonance mate and family more than the tribe. I have no worries. As long as you like to spend time with me, that is all that matters.”
“I do.” I glance up at him. It’s true, too. When I picture “alone” time, it’s not really alone. It’s with him. Sprawling in the furs and sleeping late, or snuggling together as we share a meal. Watching the stars together. Maybe (someday) reading a book together. Just…together. “You know you’re my favorite person to spend time with, right? I just feel guilty that I’m pulling you away from everyone else.”
