At his confusion, Teu began what he could tell was a difficult explanation. He had heard rumors of people cropping up from another realm, another world. Until now, he had not met anyone who claimed not to be from Revaliir. This DaeLuin lost the world tree, and crumbled into the void. It was by the grace of a god that she and the children managed to escape, at the cost of everyone else she held dear. Kieran gave her a reassuring squeeze and kissed the top of her head. ”I’m sorry to hear about your family.” The topic was not to be pressed, for he did not wish to subject her to further depression when she was working so hard to move in a positive direction.

Teu presented him a personal question as she pulled back to have a better view of him. The noble shifted as well, facing her while still maintaining contact. ”It’s not a question I typically answer, Teu. But, my father is from a long line of noble humans. Mother is a half elf, however, she keeps any information before she married father locked away. She doesn’t breathe a word of it. Yet, her favorite saying is to not be a dragon. Don’t be an angry dragon, don’t be a broody dragon, a hoarding dragon. Always molding it to suit the situation.” Kieran looked at their hands, allowing his mind to wander, molding all the possibilities together in any string.

”Mother was always hovering, watching, questioning. I think she knows something and refuses to share it until some evidence comes to light to make it necessary.” His eyes slid up her armored body until they caught her gaze. ”I will write to her, as soon as we can. Make inquiries.” It didn’t help that he and his siblings always accepted what she told them, never pressing for information beyond her years with their father. To them, she was a simple half elf, happily in love with her human husband. They knew nothing of their grandparents, now that he thought about it.

With all of his uncertainty and doubts, the only thing he knew for sure was how he felt for Teu. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her closer. For now, he was content with just holding her, his cheek on her head. ”It calls to you… Be my mate, Teu.” It was crazy how he had just met the woman. Yet, already, he felt the future would be cold without her in it. Kieran’s heart raced as he waited for her reply.

Thinking about all of what had transpired in the past brought up old pains, but she merely squeezed his arm a little to steady herself. It did not take much to bring her thoughts back to the present with the scent of Kieran closely sitting next to her. His presences had a calming effect upon the elf that she could not deny. The past was the past. She needed to move forward with her life. “Thank you, Kieran. I appreciate the sentiment.” Teu was certain that the information she spoke of had been confusing. It spoke highly of Kieran not pressing an emotional matter as it were even with that confusion. She smiled softly against his shoulder with her head facing downward.

There was no denying the guilt when the question finally left her lips. It was a nerve that she had stepped on by asking it. It was not just a nerve, but also a pull on a string of his past. Her expression was one of understanding and love. Teu already began to understand what an effect the question had, but it spoke of their budding relationship that he was actually answering. She had weaved her fingers to interlock with his and squeezed to give reassurance. “Dragon…” Teu furrowed her brows for a split second before chuckling softly. “It would be good to get to know who you are, Kieran. I haven’t known you long, so it is not my place to say. Though if those sayings are of any hint then maybe you are broody dragon!” Teu had little clue if she was truly making a joke or if the potential truth was being spoken. “Well, a rather handsome dragon instead of broody. I have yet to see you brood.”

The elf woman relaxed as her body was pulled in against the noble’s side. Teu rested her head against his chest to listen to his heart beat. His warmth radiated off of him to soothe her. When those words were uttered, her blood felt as if it froze within her veins. There was no telling if it was actually a literal freeze within her. A lump formed in her throat. It took a few attempts of a swallow to make it go away. Teu did not raise her head to make eye contact for a few moments in order to collect her thoughts. Did he really ask what he had?

“What?” That word was the only one she could manage to get out. Finally her head lifted to look at him straight on. “I need you to be completely clear with me right now, Kieran. Look at me straight in the eyes and say what you wish. Remember who I have waiting at home and what your statement would mean for you and them.” Teu attempted to keep her eyes from looking almost to the point of needing him to repeat those words. She was feeling more than eager, though desperate at the same time to understand what this would mean for them.

The more they commented on the saying, the more it made sense. His mother did hide her heritage, her family. It was entirely possible that he was a dragon, or at least dragon kin. With his appearance, it was hard to believe he was anywhere near a quarter dragon. Still, Teu thought he was handsome, and that was more than enough. Now she relaxed in his hold, everything going peaceful until he made that request. Kieran could feel her stiffen slightly under his arms, knowing that he had completely taken her, and himself, by surprise. For a long moment, silence stretched as she gathered her composure. ”You heard me.”

She pulled back once more, staring into his eyes. The noble stared back calmly. ”I have never been more serious. Contrary to what the day has suggested, I am not an impulsive person, Teu. I don't like talking about myself, and I would rather work until exhaustion sets. But know this: no woman has ever been asked to a date, for a courtship, and until tonight, no one has ever been asked to be my mate..” He paused for a moment, letting the first half sink in before continuing. ”This is abig leap for you, as it is for me. You are a mother, and while that would drive away some men, I know the implications. It isn't just you I have to prove myself to, it's the kids as well. I understand, and will do whatever it takes to make you mine. So I'm going to ask again. Be my mate, Teu.”

Whatever his heritage was it did not matter to Teu. Obviously it was not an issue for him with the sense of honor that he exhibited. He cared for the well fair of others, and that had led him to her doorstep. The elf-diowolf hybrid could only hope that there would be answers for him that he was actually looking for. She had not meant to open up a door that had long been closed or never had been opened. If it was something he wanted to deal with then she would be by his side. Learning of oneself was never an easy path.

His statement took Teu by extreme surprise. Were his words of genuine feelings? He did not know much about her, or even the sides she had kept hidden even from herself. How could he want to declare that he wanted her to be his mate? Was it possible that this was just an extension of gratitude that played itself out as illusionary love? Teu’s heart sank as she thought about it and this time could not push it away. There was a question lingering in the air between them that could not be ignored. Hope still was lit in her chest for the answer that could be given from Kieran.

The response given at first was what she would classify as mouthy. Emerald gaze narrowed in an unamused fashion even though he wanted to laugh at his words. It took everything in her not to swat at him again. All she could do was roll her eyes at him just before she was able to hold his gaze. Again she felt herself freeze as he looked at her straight on without a flinch in his gaze. Kieran stated that he was completely truthful with his feelings. That he was not impulsive in nature. That his actions at the moment were completely what he wanted; she was what he wanted. Teu searched his face for any sign insincerity. There was none to be found.

Her breath caught in her chest as he addressed her concerns of the children. This time she could not hold back from biting her lower lip as she considered all that was said. Silence continued to persist after he asked the question again. Finally, Teu stood up from her seat beside him in order to face him squarely. For a moment her expression was blank while looking down at Kieran as he sat there waiting for her words. Leaning down slightly, her hands came to gently cup his face on either side. Her thumb stroked his cheek and a smile began to grow on her face. “I would be love to be your mate, Kieran Rothslin.” She moved forward in order to place a kiss upon his lips. Hands lifted to run through his hair as she moved closer until she sat upon his lap. No space was between them while she held him close to her chest.

Control was a difficult thing to maintain as her kiss deepened with the man that she would now call her mate. At that moment she wanted to make the term literal instead of in title. Teu’s breath had turned hotter as she pulled at him as if that would make it possible for them to be closer. She wanted him more than anything else. It was unfortunate for the newly titled couple that the spell that had been sent out prior pulled at the back of her mind. Teu moaned against Kieran’s lips as she took a deep breath to pull away. One of these times she was not going to be able to pull away from his lips.

“Something is coming,” she breathed against his lips. Teu opened her eyes to look at him before standing up. She was armored for a reason. Rarely did she tap into her diowolf side, but now she could smell the sweat of men lurking in the darkness. At that moment she hated them for interrupting instead of the deaths they had taken part in. There were only five from the gentle footsteps that were placed upon the ground. She had to give them credit for trying to sneak up on the couple. It was unfortunate that they had no chance. “Five are in coming. I am certain they are attempting to bring anything in for the main faction that would be around town. You take it easy with that injury.”

Teu took a few calming breathes as her excited state had to be muted for the time.

Kieran waited, holding his gaze steady as she searched his face. There was a lot of exploring, and getting to know one another to be done, that was guaranteed. He had inexplicable faith in what they could become together. As Teu stood, it was his turn to search her face, trying to deduce her thoughts. His own breath caught in his throat as he waited, the blank expression and deafening silence stretching through eternity. Finally, she began to move, her body leaning forward as she cupped his face. Still, he dared not breathe, unsure what to expect yet hoping this was a foretelling of a favorable answer.

Teu’s smile broke across her lovely face, those words sent his soul soaring. His arms wrapped around her, giving her kiss everything she gave in return. She blurred the lines between them, pressing herself close against him as she sat upon him. Both of them were surrendering their control, their grips at each other becoming more claiming and demanding than the last. Kieran's hand slid down her back, gripped her ass before sliding to her thigh. This woman was his mate, the primal need to claim her as such running rampant. Her moan filled his ears, but did not sound pleased, and she pulled away, Kieran trying to chase her lips. He couldn't stand her being disappointed, he'd do better!

However, the uninvited guests were brought to his attention. Frustrated at the intrusion, Kieran allowed her to stand, standing as well. A single hand gripped her arm from behind, soft and reassuring. ”You be careful. I am no healer.” If she had her way, he would probably be as trained as her children. It was hard to turn away from her, with their yearning to explore each other having been so close to reality. Turn away he did, approaching the horse. Let them believe he was going to retrieve something, blankets perhaps. Once more, the noble rummaged through the saddle bag, not so deep as to be hard to extract his hand. The approaching danger from off to the side and behind was not unnoticed. Their weapon was poised to strike when Kieran drew the falchion and blocked the strike from their sword.

From the flicker of the campfire, the noble realized that this was the one who stabbed him. ”I must thank you.” The man gave him a quizzical look as he swung at him again, which was parried. ”That knife sent me to find my mate.” Teu’s falchion countered the next attack, finding its mark in the thief’s belly. ”May Dalanesca have mercy on your soul.” Kieran muttered with disdain as he turned toward Teu. Did she notice that archer, his arrow glinting faintly with their fire?

With an unintelligible scream, Kieran reached out in a panic. An arrow was flying through the air, straight at her. As he reached, magic flared, sending an icy attack at both arrow and archer. His hand fell limply to his side as the danger fell as a rock out of the sky, frozen in a thick layer of ice. The archer did not survive much better, as the entire front of his body was now coated similarly. By the time it melted enough for him to breathe or move, the archer would perish from lack of oxygen. Kieran fell to his knees, the falchion clattering to the ground, suddenly greatly fatigued.

Her silence knowingly caused him distress. She knew that it caused him anxiety, and yet she needed that time to get her thoughts in order to answer correctly. Teu wanted him. The need was not only primal, but emotional as he had delved into her already. It was clear to her now that she was deeply in love with the man that sat in front of her. He was kind and gods was he handsome. The elf knew that it was not her reason for wanting to be with him. There was much to consider when it came to a decision that was to be made at that time. All she knew was that her inner desire told her to pick him.

The answer had been the right one as he encircled his arms about her form to pull her tight against him. Sheer joy felt infectious between them. She continued to smile as they kissed at first. Though as her heat rose, she couldn’t hold back from his touch. A shiver trailed down her spine at the feel of his hand along it. How long had it been since someone had touched her? There had not been a lack of suitors, but only Kieran had ever pulled at her to want to be handled in such a way. She nipped at his lip just as her backside was gripped. Gods, she pleaded inwardly. Everywhere he touched felt like a fire was ignited. Ending what they had just started took all of her self-control.

Teu smiled down at him slyly as he attempted to chase her lips. Hands were slowly dragged through his hair and fingers grazed his cheeks as she stood up to look out into the darkness. Kieran kept a hold upon her arm as if to reassure her, but himself as well. “I could tell,” she replied with a half mocking laugh. Teu tapped his side gently to remind him of where she had stitched him up earlier that day. Before he could leave, she stood on her tip toes to kiss his nose lovingly. “Don’t stress about me, dearling. I am pretty strong despite my looks.”

They went about the camp as if they had no inclination that raiders were about to make their way into their space. Teu knelt down beside the fire and tended to it, though her eyes had shifted to a golden hue as her night sight increased exponentially. A man came quickly to strike at Kieran and thankfully he was ready for the encounter. She had no time to aid her mate as another came from the darkness with twin daggers poised in hand. The man was within the light of their fire to show that he was a man with some age upon him. Experience had been learned the hard way for him as the scars on his skin gave evidence.

He was fast. In two steps he had closed the distance between Teu and himself by half. It was unfortunate that she was faster. While still kneeling her arm swung upward from ground to the air in an arch motion. Ice spiked out in a wall fashion to lodge solidly into his breast plate and through his now gnarled features. There had been no time for him to cry out in pain for the deed had been done before he had been aware of his death.

Feet pushed off the ground quickly move away from the light of the fire. Golden eyes glanced over to see that Kieran’s falchion had struck true on his opponent. It was in that moment that she had not taken notice of an archer out of range that took his aim. Teu flinched at the sound of her mate’s scream. Turning she saw ice had swallowed the man that would have taken an attempt on her life. The diowolf-elf hybrid quickly traced the origin back to Kieran with wide eyes. He did have magic capabilities. Exhaustion swiftly overcame his body sending him to his knees.

There were two raiders left, and it was ill-fated for them. For Teu to see her love in a state once more, well she was not in control of her emotions. The two lingered in the darkness which should have offered them safety; it did not. The healer stood in the firelight to allow her shadow to grow and delve into the dark. Screams pierced the air as the last two were stabbed through their hearts by the element they had hoped with protect them. Once she knew for sure their last breathes had been drawn, Teu moved to Kieran holding his shoulders. “Are you all right?” Immediately she began to check his body over for injuries and found none. It was merely an exhaustion matter from the usage of magic once completely locked away. “You did well, my dear. Welcome to the realm of the mystic. Your ice use was impressive.” She laughed softly while placing several concerned kisses upon his face.

Magic… he had used magic. While he was shocked, Kieran was also having difficulties keeping his eyes open. He could hear her being still, the others laying in wait somewhere, until their screams filled the night air. Whatever she had done, it was not with her ice, for she stood absolutely motionless. Heavy eyes drooped closed with relief. Five were noted, five were killed, and her footsteps approached him worriedly. As her hands found his shoulders, Kieran lifted his own to hold hers. ”I'm fine,” he managed to mumble. She was peppering his face with kisses until he caught her face in his hands, pressing his forehead to hers. ”Rest, my gem.” They moved closer to the fire, and Kieran fell asleep instantly, with a Teu tucked neatly in his arms.

---

Morning had come, and they had a small breakfast before getting back on the horse. At some point, the icicle of a man had melted and collapsed, and Kieran tried not to pay them any attention. As they rode, the events of last night's scuffle kept playing. From his revenge to his surprising use of magic. Mother must have been waiting for this moment, but lacked the proper situation to unlock it. Did she want it unlocked, or did she fear it? He had no way of knowing, yet he was feeling somewhat sick at the thought of killing those two. They were his first kills, and he understood that it was a kill or be killed situation, but it didn't change the fact that they no longer breathed.

Tucking the thoughts away, Kieran smiled back at Teu. ”Welcome to Waldon.” Just as the words escaped his mouth, children started screaming “Kieran is back!” Cheers erupted as they swarmed the horse. They gave him enough space to dismount and assist Teu off the horse, yet this time, his hands did not linger. Instead, a girl stole it. “Will you play with us?” ”Depends. Did you get the repairs done to your father’s stable?” She nodded enthusiastically. “I held the nails for Papa!” Kieran lifted her, allowing her to sit in the crook of his arm, and tickled her briefly. Peals of laughter mixed with a cacophony of children scrambling for his attention.

Toward the back of the group was a teenaged boy, about the age of fourteen, who hung his head a bit. ”Bandon, how’s your mother?” But the boy shook his head. “Not good, sir. We fear… It won’t be long now.” Before Kieran could turn to Teu, one of the older women came walking up. “Message came for you, Kieran. Arrived just this morning.” A frown settled over his features as he took the scroll from her, balancing the child between arm and chest, eyes quickly scanning over the elegant penmanship. ”Hey, Jayla, I promise to play later. Let me take care of some grown up things first, okay?” The children groaned as he put Jalya down, but did not make a fuss as they dispersed with the exception of Brandon.

”First things first, are the guards from the city still here?” The woman nodded. ”I need to speak to the highest ranking officer.” She turned and walked away while Kieran turned to Teu. ”Teu, Brandon’s mother is my cousin’s best friend. Would you please tend to her first? She is the whole reason I was here in Waldon in the first place.” Brandon looked hopefully up at the healer. “I can take you to the house, ma’am.” The noble cupped her cheek with a loving smile, kissed her forehead. ”My father has promised to provide payment for armed escorts to and from Mamlak. If they don’t accept, then he will send the escort from our personal staff.” Kieran was obviously pleased with this development.

The blackness that had consumed Teu’s eyes soon faded to allow her emerald color to resurface. Using shadow magic had become natural to her since her position, but it had a tendency to consume the user as well. Short calming breathes were drawn in and then released. Her focus to get to Kieran’s side made her come back to the reality of where she was. Quickly her stance changed to dash to her love’s side. Exhaustion was written all over his face, but after checking him she could finally relax. Teu began to truly breathe easier as their heads rested against the other. Together they rose from the ground to find a place to sleep next to the fire. Kieran fell into sleep quickly after using his magic for the first time. She could empathize with his fatigue. Before she would allow herself to sleep, Teu checked him over to double check that he actually was unharmed. Fingers pulled at his shirt to expose the stitched up wound from earlier that morning. Her work had held up well. There was little redness that now surrounded the line where a light scar would eventually form. Medications were doing their job well. Once she was satisfied and new spell work laid out, Teu curled against Kieran to get some rest.

---

Their morning was quiet as the camp was broken down. Animals had taken away a couple of the raiders to have as their meal. Teu was un-phased by the death. In fact, she had been quite pleased with the swiftness their deaths had been brought to them. As she rolled up one of the blankets, Teu noticed Kieran attempting to avoid seeing the man he had frozen to death. Her lip curled up slightly in a half smile in hopes to bring up his spirits. She couldn’t be certain that this wasn’t his first killing. There was no chance that she would attempt to speak on the topic then. Instead, the pair mounted the horse to head over to Waldon.

Teu held on to Kieran as he sat in the front again. In the distance she saw a village beginning to appear. They neared it and her mate announced their arrival. Before any response could be given, Teu heard children erupt in excitement. The horse remained in place despite the cheers. There were quite a few children that were vying for the man’s attention and it was a young girl, Jayla that had won his main focus. The healer hung back and held onto the horse’s reins as Kieran appeared to fall into his element with the kids. She lightly pet the equine’s neck while watching the event unfold before her all with a smile on her face. He truly did adore children.

Hearing about a woman not doing well perked up Teu’s ears. She made no motion to move as there were still children surrounding the large horse. Upon the request made she nodded with a reassuring smile on her features towards the teenager. ”Don’t worry, Brandon. I am fairly good at what I do. I am sure I can help her.” Kieran placed a gentle kiss upon her forehead, which Teu could not stop from gripping his arm in return. ”Do what you need to. I will go tend to your cousin’s friend. That is news that is beyond what was hoped for. I will go see about healing and then check the medical supplies” She squeezed his arm one more time before walking the horse after Brandon towards one of the homes. ”You are doing a great job, my heart,” she said over her shoulder with a proud grin.

---

The home that Teu was guided to was a modest one, but obviously had not been tended to as well since the mother was ill. Nose twitched as she smelled the illness in the air. The healer immediately pulled back her long hair into a loose bun on her head. Weapons were removed from her back to allow for easier movement. She had slung her medical bag over her shoulder that contained all the basics for her patient. ”Brandon, do not worry. This looks fairly common in my experience. We shall have her up and moving soon and scolding for not doing your chores.” She gave an amused wink to the boy before kneeling next to the sick woman in bed. ”I am a healer here with Kieran. You will be well shortly. Remain still as I work please.” Teu carefully ran her hand over the woman’s sweat beaded forehead and then through her hair as a mother would her own child. Hands lingered above the woman’s chest. A chill began to emanate from her hands to let the frost creep up her arms. Foreign words uttered beneath her breath as the spell was cast to eradicate the illness away. ”Brandon. She will still need rest, but give her hearty foods and plenty of clean water. Also, put these herbs in her drink three times a day to fortify her body. She will make a full recovery in three days time.”

The healer stood up from her kneel and put her gear back on. She looked at the child as he looked rather shocked at how quickly a devastating situation had been fixed. Teu couldn’t hold back a small laugh. ”I told you I was good. Take good care of her.” The bag of herbs were handed over to the child as he ran to his mother’s side. With that, Teu left the home and pulled on her horse’s reins towards the store house. It felt good to get into the field again to see the needy.

Inside the store house her heart sank quickly. There were little to no medicinal supplies left. The food looked low even with what had been brought in by the soldiers she had sent prior. Teu moved over to one of the shelves and began to take inventory of what they did have.

”Fairly good? I’d say you’re more than fairly good,” he laughed gently. With the extent that he was at before he got to her place, combined with his resistance to magic, it was a miracle he was still alive. It was also something he did not plan on telling his mother, as she would demand his return home. Kieran smiled at her as she walked off, his heart swelling with pure joy. Now was not the time to ponder such feelings, however, as the captain of the soldiers came up to him. After sharing the news with the captain, the noble was faced with a piece of information he had not be considering.

The soldiers that had been sent still report to Mamlak. If Kieran’s father wanted to pay for their services, then he would have to negotiate the deal with the governing body of the city, not the soldiers themselves. Immediate plans were already beginning to form in Kieran’s mind about who to see, what to arrange, and when to do it by. It would mean leaving his mate’s side for a few days, but it was about time to visit his parents anyway, before mother starts to nag at him. Of course, he could invite her, however, would that put a dent on the store and her business?

He went to the locate the store house shortly after the long conversation. If he was going to get his father to send a bunch of supplies and soldiers, he would need an accurate inventory. Teu had a similar thought, as that was exactly where he had found her. Unable to help himself, the noble wrapped his arms around her from behind, placing a gentle kiss on the back her neck. ”Alone for now. Fancy that.” Kieran whispered into her skin, not wanting to admit the slight awkwardness about holding her with her sais on her back, at least from this angle.

Even though he made the suggestion, he had no intention of doing anything in a store house. Planting one more kiss, Kieran reluctantly released the healer and went about his own inventory checks. ”Teu, after we get back to Mamlak, I need to take a ship down to Adeluna, visit my parents. It’s easier to negotiate in person that it is through letters. I also won’t object to you accompanying me, though I know you have the kids and shop to tend to.” He began to explain to her what the soldier had said to him about the offer, and his own reasonings about visiting home once more.

Skip the middleman and send both aid and men would save on a lot of money. If his father agreed, Kieran could supervise everything and come home quickly. This also provided him a chance to talk with his mother about the questions and magical developments face to face. When he looked at her, he had this conflicted look in his eyes. Kieran did not ask her to be his mate only to abandon her shortly after, no matter the small length of time. He wanted time with her, alone. There was also time with her children, getting to know them as well. So much to do, with so little time, and priorities seemed mixed.

”It is very possible you are speaking from a rather biased position right now,” she responded with a blush on her cheeks. Teu had worked rather hard to ensure that Kieran would survive his encounter with the knife in his abdomen. Desperation had become a factor and at the time she had no idea that her soul was calling out to him. Teu smiled again while walking away from her mate. There was work to be done, and yet she didn’t want to part from his side. Healing had to take precedence. It didn’t matter that she wanted to stay beside Kieran at all times along with her children.

She was able to heal the mother with no trouble as she had not resistance to magical support. Teu was grateful for that. As she left the home, her green eyes softened at the sight of the son crouched next to the bed. He looked as if tears were going to flow despite his attempts at holding them back. There was no need to linger and interrupt the mother and son reconnecting. They would have many years together if she remained out of harm’s way. Teu closed the door behind her and reached for her steed’s reins. The horse chuffed at her while nibbling at her hand. The healer couldn’t help but laugh and give the equine a good scratch along the nose. ”You have done such a wonderful job, my dear. You will get extra oat rations when we return home. A nice rub down as well. How does that sound?” Teu hugged the horse’s neck while he gave a nice paw at the ground to indicate his approval of the plan.

”Now we must check on the store house!” Even though the reins were in her hands, she did not need to pull on them to get her horse to follow. Once the store house was reached she tied up the leads to one of the posts outside. The inventory was extremely lacking. Her head shook subconsciously at the state of their stock. It took everything in her to hold back the anger towards the raiders for making these people suffer the way that they were. Her hand lightly rested on one of the shelves that should have held their fever reducers. There was nothing there. She began to think of the best way to get the town back on its feet. Her own stores were running slightly low due to the amount of customers that were coming in lately. If she could take the time to restock, then she could get them set up with what they need and teach someone in town how to make everything.

A calming breath was inhaled and released. She barely heard the door open behind her. The feel of someone wrapping their arms about her body made her go stiff until she could smell Kieran. Instantly her body relaxed and leaned back into him. His warmth surrounding her made the healer want to hold him tighter. She dared not turn around knowing that if she did there would be no holding herself back this time. The heat from his breath as he kissed her neck sent a shiver down her spine. ”Just the way I like it,” she responded with a slight husk to her voice. Lazily shut as she continued to work on her self-control.

Despite not wanting him to part from her, it was a relief. Teu had little left of her mental capacity. She went about her inventory checks and every once and a while her gaze flickered over to Kieran as he worked. There was a distance between them now as they put their minds to work. Teu lowered her hands that had been rummaging through a box as Kieran spoke of his travel plans. Her hand tightened their grip upon the box edges as she spoke of having to leave. It made complete sense, but her heart could not quite accept it.

”Well, I was actually thinking about closing the shop for a short time. I have made plenty of profits for the time being. Restocking has been an issue; demand has been out running my ability to supply. I wanted to get some time to get supplies put together for here.” Teu released her hold on the half full box and leaned back against the shelves. Her eyes shifted from the floor to Kieran as she did not want to demand that she go along with. What if he didn’t want her to meet his family? It was rather new their relationship. They were nobles, and she was not. Would they accept someone not of a noble bloodline? Her family back in Daeluin had been prestigious. Anyone would have been honored to have her added, but in Revaliir she was no one.

”What if the children and I came along with? They could see more, and get a chance to spend time together with all four of us. See how that goes?” Her voice had a hint of hesitation. She was nervous to ask such a large request. Not only that, she dared not send Kieran alone back to his home. His brother was violent and that was the reason he had been driven away in the first place.