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“A tool for repairing broken things?”
I shake my head.
Ren groans. “Okay. A tool for dusting?”
My eyes widen, smile growing as I nod. “Close! It’s a vacuum. It sucks away all sorts of things. Dirt, hair, and yes,dust.”
Ren relaxes deeper into the couch, hands rising to rest behind his head. “I knew all along. I just wanted to hear your explanation.”
I roll my eyes. “I can feel your lies, you know.”
His cocky grin slowly fades. “Is that so?”
I nod, pressing my lips together. “Another one of my gifts, I guess. It’s here,” I lift my hand and wave it between us, stretching my fingers through the air. His lie causes the environment to feel heavy, denser. “But don’t worry. This just means I’m able to tell which people aren’t good for me.” I push my shoulder against his. “And whichare.”
Neither of us speak for a while, but the silence is comfortable. It’s enjoyable to be alone with someone without collaborating on nature designs or knowing their soul to the core.
I lean my head against the backrest of the sofa, relaxing as I imagine the former owner once did. Resting by Ren’s side gives me time to realize he was right all along. My rolling hill adventure was exhilarating, but now a growing, pulsating ache is radiating from my left knee.
I ignore it, close my eyes, and breathe in the room's stale air. It’s a gift. None of my soul family could ever fathom testing the product of our own world.
Ren’s voice is the first to cut through the air. “Have you wondered why I approached you, Thea?”
My head rolls toward him, one eye cracking open. “Because I’m a beautiful being and you were lonely?”
I know there’s more to it than that, of course. I’d be a fool not to analyze his stalking nature from the beginning. Yesterday, I assumed he was stalking because it was in his nature. His people thrive on blood, so it's in his DNA to react as a predator when near prey. This must have been before he saw me, and once he did, maybe he decided I wasn’t palatable. Does this mean he’s dangerous? Probably.
However, I trust my intuition. It’s my compass now, as it was designed to be. Ren doesn’t scream danger; he screams peace. Whatever has him withdrawn and secretive is no threat to me. I’m sure of it.
Still, he has a point. I’m blissfully unaware why he followed me instead of running away after seeing me erase the mad ones.
His face is shadowed, worry lines appearing between his manicured brows. He appears more serious than normal. Afraid, even. “No,” he whispers.
I reach toward him on impulse, my fingers scraping delicately against his arm. “You don’t have to fear unloading your thoughts on me, Ren. No matter how personal they are. I have eons of experience with listening to humanity's most desperate prayers.”
His expression doesn’t lessen. He leans closer to me, concern heating his gaze. My throat tightens as he captures me with his stare, holding me in place with the intensity of his features. “What if it’s meaningful? What happens when I bare my soul only for you to decide it’s too much to handle? Tell me, Thea, what happens if you find something so earthshaking it forces you to abandon me?”
I close the distance between our faces, fixated on the sparkle in his eyes. Our noses brush, our breaths join. “I’d tell you I’ve never abandoned someone in my care. No matter how deplorable or grief stricken their admissions make me feel. We’ve connected.” I press my palm against my chest, and then move it to his. “Here.” Leaning backward a bit, I tilt my head to the side. “I’m not sure what we mean to each other yet. We can decide that as we go. Regardless, you can trust me.”
He snatches my hand, gripping it more firmly than usual. “But that’s just it, Thea. I know what we are. I know who we’ll be, and despite your status, I’m not sure you’ll accept the truth.”
My eyes twitch at his words. Not sure I’ll accept the truth? Is he insane? Ithriveon truth. “Try me.”
To my surprise, he slides down from the couch onto the floor. All the while, his eyes are on mine, even as he scoots to the side until he’s centered at my knees. He grips my thighs with both outstretched hands. “You,” He squeezes his fingers. “Are my mate, Thea. My soul partner, designed by the gods ofmyworld. We are tethered,” he glances at the spot between my breasts. “As we always have been.”
I… detect no lies in his declaration.
My heart does its little gallop, causing my breath to hitch. Without warning, I feel a connection to Mother and all of my sisters. Their warmth is so tangible I can taste their essence on my tongue. A message comes through, strong and loud. Not spoken, but experienced.
They’re celebrating a milestone, something so joyous it’s almost devastating.
My eyes well with tears, but I’m not sure why. Maybe I’m more human than I realized, and their acceptance means somethingmorethan it did in the past. “I believe you.”
The relief in his eyes is another kick in the gut. This strong, dangerous creature fears my abandonment over his devotion? A sucking, breathless sob bursts from me, a reaction that surprises us both.
Ren’s expression turns wild. Panicked. He rises to a squat, leaning over me until our chests touch. “Why are you crying?”
I shrug. The sobs continue, forcible quakes passing through my ribs. It’s alarming, but I realize this release feels good in a way. It actuallyhurtsand is liberating at the same time. I snuffle. “Um, I don’t really know.”
