The Overroute was an odd series of walkways arching over a wide road that ended in a barred metal gate at the northwestern edge of the Lells. Lapis often wondered exactly what it had been before Dentheria’s invasion, and Patch suggested a train line, but if so, someone had pulled up the tracks long ago.
Most Grey Streets residents thought the throne placed the gate to keep people out of the sewers, but in reality, the Minq manned it and charged interested parties for its use. It accessed one of the main underground routes that stretched from the outskirts of the Vale in the west, crossed under the Wrain, and ran to the northern tip of the Kells in the east. She had never used it, but Patch took it frequently enough he bargained for yearly passes. He never mentioned what the Minq asked of him in return, and she decided she did not want to know.
Only a few residents wandered near the entrance, most taking one look at the armed Minq guards and hastening on their way. Patch nodded to them, and they nodded back, and the three of them followed a cool evening breeze down the earthen, lamplit slope.
The echoes of excited voices pummeled them as they reached the flatter bottom, an uncomfortable reminder of the noise awaiting them at the Lells. A scattering of Minq and Black Hat guards leaned against the metal walls, watching as the mischief known as her reading circle chatted with and questioned the contingent from Ambercaast.
Black Hats. Who invited them?
Jhor and Path stood with Ghost, Sanna and Chiddle. Jhor’s subdued amusement, and Path’s happy answers, juxtaposed the new arrival’s uncertainty when faced with rat interest concerning khentauree. Having met and spoken with Path, the urchins held no fear of the other mechanical beings, though the prickle of uncertainty regarding Ghost Lapis experienced in the mines returned. A stupid reaction; the care he showed towards Rin and Tovi proved that, whatever the Meergevens did to him, it did not inhibit his empathy.
Cassa and Tovi, and Kathandra and Kayleb, spoke with Dagby and the two Minq operatives, Tamor and Gera. Both shanks had been at Ambercaast, and both had interacted with khentauree and terron, so their involvement made sense.
But why had Kathandra brought Kayleb? Yes, the workstation director hired the Black Hats as security, but since the syndicate provided guard duty during the celebration, Lapis saw no need for the mercenaries’ presence. Patch’s grip tightened on her hand, and she shoved her unhappiness down, to worry about later. She would keep her distance and try to forget her resentment and distrust for that night.
Be nice, she sternly reminded herself.
Vali waited patiently with Nathala, their attention on an exuberant Gabby and Rin, who attempted to rein in the younger rat’s rapid questions. True, she had not thought about which terrons beside Vali and Tovi might want to visit Jiy, but the Hollow leader’s presence startled her. What might Ghinka think of this outreach effort? While Lapis had not met her, her involvement with the events in Ambercaast poisoned any goodwill she might have had towards the lizard.
Vali had shed the grungy paint she used when she walked about as Mama Poison. Her emerald scales gleamed like gemstones, with a beautiful rainbow sheen that wavered as she moved. Her underscales, a lighter, bright Early Year green, shimmered and sparkled. Nathala’s sky-blue to cherry gradient and her golden underside glittered and glistened, twinkling more than when Lapis first met her. Terrons, like humans, applied sparkles for cosmetic reasons.
Peeking out from behind Nathala’s leg was the very young, wine-red terron Lapis saved from the khentauree attack on the Hollow. The terrons brought their youngest to enjoy the festivities? Well, the rats would make certain she had a good time.
“Welcome to Jiy,” she said, throwing her arm wide. “And welcome to the Fools and Ghouls Day celebration at the Lells!”
“I hope the trip was uneventful,” Faelan said with a warm smile.
They all nodded. “The Minq have cleared the old train tracks from Ambercaast to Jiy,” Cassa said. “And they’ve rigged up a flatbed transportation, so it’s a quick ride.”
“Good. We’ve a booth set up within sight of the bonfire. It’s a good central place to be.”
Gabby grabbed his hand. “We need to get Tovi and Lahna painted up!” she crowed. “They’re going to visit the stalls with us!”
“You’re in luck,” Lapis said. “If you want a skull like Gabby has, Jarosa’s painting them.”
The teenage terron nodded abruptly, eager for a scary look.
“Lahna’s wantin’ a butterfly like Jandra,” Rin said, motioning to the teen. She had painted her face with glittery makeup, and while Lapis had not purchased sparkly paint, the bright, pretty colors would look just as good.
“We can do that, too,” she said. Rin grinned and rearranged the large, pointy hat on his head. At thirteen, he had loved the idea of wizards in towers creating magical wonders and decided they must have all worn black robes and hats with orange bursts decorating the fabric because he saw a similar illustration in a book. She purchased the costume on a whim, and since the other rats associated it with him, it became his uniform when he visited cubbies and passed out treats to the urchins too timid to join in on the celebration.
“I’s already visited thems thats hidin’,” he told her. “Told ‘m that I’s busy this evenin’. Might get a few poppin’ in. They’s curious.”
Lyet shook her head and rolled her eyes; no doubt he tantalized them with tales about the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The teen wore a cute, black and orange striped outfit with bows decorating her long gloves and her acorn-shaped hat. She also sported glittery makeup, making Lapis wonder if she and Jandra purchased the cosmetics together.
Maybe next year, she should look into a charming get-up as well, get into the event’s spirit rather than wear her every day, dark-hued clothes—and then buy an apron to catch any stray paint drips that inevitably fell from the brushes. She should have thought of that and provided Jarosa and Carnival protection before they started painting faces.
Cassa slipped the large bag from her shoulder and dug inside before withdrawing Lapis’s gauntlet. Her heart numbed, and she stared, stunned, as Nathala rumbled and signed, and the rats grinned in return.
“She’s sayin’ their smith got that gunky stuff off it,” Rin supplied. “Fixed ‘er up.” He raised an eyebrow at Jhor. “’N she’s sayin’ Jhor helped.”
“I did,” he admitted. “Though it’s a fine piece without me meddling with it. I made minor adjustments, and their smith did the rest.”
Lapis accepted it, lips smashed together so she did not cry. “Thank you.” She ran her fingers over the exterior, then slipped it on, backed up, and triggered the blade. Smooth butter motion, better than before she caked it with sponoil. “What do I owe?” she asked, raspy with emotion.
Nathala shook her head and rumbled. Cassa just smiled. “Nothing,” the scientist stressed. “You helped the Hollow and saved Lahna. A brave woman needs her weapon back. But you can also consider it a gift from the new leader of the terrons.”
“You challenged Ghinka?” she asked the large terron, surprise lacing her words.
The lizard nodded and signed, and Cassa translated.
“After Ghinka’s dereliction of duty concerning the markweza and the mercs, she decided the only way to keep the Hollow safe was to challenge her leadership. Despite bragging of her strength, she fell quickly and Nathala claimed the mantle of grinmer. Not all Depths residents are happy about the change, but since she beat both Badger and Ghinka, they have no other credible contender.”
“Community leaders from western Jiy are in attendance tonight,” Faelan said. “Many wish to speak with Armarandos about the new community centers that are replacing the Jiy guard, so it will give you and Kathandra a superb opportunity to meet them.” Nathala regally nodded as Cassa patted the bag.
“We’ve gifts, to smooth the way,” she intimated.
Gabby jumped in front, punching up with her fist. “Off to the Lells!” she called before marching out.
A parade. Lapis had no other descriptor for how she felt as Gabby, with jumpy enthusiasm, led rebel and Minq, rat and the Ambercaast contingent, through the deepening evening shadows at the edges of the Lells. Rin and Tovi joined her, and the rest of the reading circle spanned out with the guards to clear a large space for Vali and Nathala to navigate.
People stopped. Stared. Gaped. Pointed and gasped and gulped. No one screamed and raced away—yet. She expected someone would eventually shriek and run away from the terrifying sight before they reached the booth, though she hoped that so many humans chatting and laughing with the khentauree and terrons would help make them appear less frightening.
Players pushed to the front of the rapidly forming crowd, and Lapis wondered at how quickly word would spread that the guests of honor had arrived once the musicians and other entertainers returned to their performances. Non-reading circle rats crammed between the clustered bodies, clutching nice bags with the Lells symbol applied in drippy paint. How nice, of Maydie and Movique, to provide a way for kids to cart around their treats. It certainly saved the streets from having dropped sweets trampled into them.
Patch squeezed her hand and smiled lazily at her. She buried her face in his arm briefly, wishing they were anywhere but amidst the noise and jollity. Her typical Fools and Ghouls began with her setting up the paint in late afternoon, then she painted faces through the evening, perused the stalls for a bite to eat, and retreated to the tranquility of the Eaves after watching the kids throw powder packets onto the bonfire, triggering rainbow-colored flames. Not the quietest of nights, but not the most rambunctious, either.
But this time, rebels and syndicate people surrounded her. Farmers and ex-guards chatted up concerned citizens, whose trepidation concerning the future soured the air about the booth. People she knew and cared for participated, and they would stop, chat, expect her to socialize and enjoy their company. Despite the early hour, she already felt stretched thin.
The simpler celebration, where rats beamed at her and scampered away to ask for treats, then returned to show her their bounty, delighted as they bit into the once-a-year snacks . . .
“What’s wrong?” Patch whispered.
She shook her head and rubbed her nose against his arm. “I’m overwhelmed,” she admitted.
“I can see it,” he murmured. “And it’s going to get worse.”
“I’m glad you’re with me.”
“I’m not leaving you to do all this by yourself.” He kissed her forehead. “And you have help. You don’t have to carry the rats alone, like you’re used to.” He drew her close, his body heat a soothing touch. “I should have been there for you, before.”
“We all do things in our own time. You needed space then; now you don’t.” She slipped her arm around his waist and savored the firm muscles she gripped. “As long as you don’t mind being with me.”
“Of course not.” His breath skitted across her skin, a soft caress. “Walking the streets with you reminds me that gentleness and love are luxuries I can afford.”
Unexpected tears pricked her eyes. “I’ll always walk with you, wherever that may be. And I’m a cheap date.”
Disbelief flavored his subdued laughter. “That’s what you call a picnic while we’re watching the sunset?”
She grumbled at that while he squeezed her waist, so she knew he teased.
Brone, Scand and Nerik rushed past Vali with a wave and planted themselves at her and Patch’s side. The drummer wore a ragged black top hat with a glittery purple scarf tied to it, and she did not have to think hard to know who influenced his costume. He had his drum slung over his arm, his blanket over his shoulder, and an over-full change gourd plastered to his chest.
The other two sported skulls, and both vied with Gabby for the most terrifying look. Jarosa made certain each had a slightly different appearance, creating a unique presentation they could be proud of. Scand had a sword sketched on his cheek, Nerik a wolf that resembled the Wolf Collaborate symbol.
“It’s busy,” Brone said, smiling in amazement. “There are so many people, I didn’t want to keep sitting on the ground and playing like I usually do. They just trip over me.”
“A break will do you good,” Lapis told him. “I can take your bits to my room after we get everyone settled. It’ll be on our way to visit Ruddy’s.”
“We’ve been making runs to put the money in your room,” he admitted. “And we brought Phialla and Ness the rest of their stuff. There are a lot of tourists here, and they’re buying keepsakes because Maydie and Movique built this up so big. They’ve almost sold out.”
“We can take the wagon to the Eaves for them,” Patch offered. “Then they can get their faces painted and visit the stalls with the other rats.”
Lapis hugged her partner, hoping he understood how much that meant to her. He nuzzled her forehead, grinning.
“We rats have something for Ruddy’s,” Scand said, withdrawing a ragged pouch from the front of his shirt and weighing it in his hand. “We each gave a candy. I know it’s not much—”
“It’s enough,” Lapis assured him, accepting the pouch. She knew, the gift would be more than most of the celebrators managed and came from the heart.
She noted the young terron kept glancing back and motioned to her. “Boys, this is Lahna. Lahna, Brone, Scand and Nerik. They’re rats, like Rin, and they’re going to be taking you and Tovi on a tour of the Lells this evening.”
They waved, nonchalant, acting far cooler than they actually were. She timidly raised a claw and signed, and all three nodded and signed back. Lapis inwardly sighed; just another thing on her to-do list, to learn the street signs so she could converse without a translator. At least she had a lot of kids she could ask about it.
Patch nudged her; she glanced at him, then followed his line of sight.
Granna Cup.
Smug glee raged through her. Lapis shoved the pouch at her partner, squirreled past the Minq guards, and hopped over to the older woman and her granddaughter, who attempted to push the crowd apart to see. She smiled in apology to front people and motioned for them to step aside before snagging the granddaughter’s hand, pulling her through. Granna Cup walked on her heels, and Lapis set her hand on her bony back, guiding her from the annoyed front row.
“Glad you made it,” she said as she led them past Nathala. The large lizard turned her head, and they regarded her in trepidation. “Dagby’s family,” she told the terron. She rumbled, amused, catching Cassa’s attention. Dagby also glanced back, and Lapis wanted to fall into hysterical laughter at his exasperation.
“Cassa! This is Granna Cup, Dagby’s grandmother, and his sister Dara, a merchant at Candycakes.”
She perked up, “Hello! I’m Cassa Meygh,” she said, trotting over and holding out her hand. “I’m so pleased to meet you!”
“Hello,” Granna Cup said, her typical harsh confidence overridden by shock. Her granddaughter fared worse, as if she did not believe the proof of the relationship. Dagby folded his arms, acting stern, but the twinkle in his eyes confirmed his satisfaction at flabbergasting his relations.
Cassa turned about. “Tovi!” she barked. He paused and pivoted, and she cocked her finger at him. His ‘I am a teen, don’t tell me what to do, Mom’ look amused Lapis, though she pondered Rin’s cheeky grin once he noticed who accompanied them. Granna Cup blew a hissy breath between her teeth, indicating he said something to her about Cassa and Tovi, and the remembrance smarted.
“That’s my son, Tovi,” she said. “He’s fifteen in human years. Tovi!”
He signed something; she raised an eyebrow and pursed her lips. Grumbly, he wandered to them, Rin in tow, as the rest of the group passed them by. Patch paused next to Lapis, his eye sparkling in humor at the expense of Dagby’s relations.
“Hello, Tovi. You sign?” Granna Cup asked, startled.
He nodded and replied.
“It’s the same finger language the underground uses,” Dagby said. “You should understand him just fine.”
“I was surprised, when I realized that,” Cassa admitted. “The weeld kleeth call their language claw talk, and it’s spoken by all the known populations of terrons, pendegons and casilisks. I’m curious how it made it into Jilvaynan streets as an urchin sign language.”
“We’s knowin’ a good thing, when we sees it,” Rin replied with snobby aplomb.
Patch jerked his chin to the receding backs of their group. “Come with us to the booth. There’s plenty of room to chat.”
Shocked that Granna Cup meekly agreed, and inwardly pleased at dumbfounding her, Lapis slipped her hand into her partner’s warm palm, and they hurried to catch up.
By the time they reached the booth, the youngest terron already sat in front of Carnival, stiff with uncertainty as he drew the outline of the butterfly on her snout and around her eyes in bright blue, green and pink paint. Nathala and Vali rumbled their encouragement from the side of the table, where the rebels had cleared a space for them to rest. Before this trip, the little terron had no interactions with humans other than Cassa, and Lapis appreciated her bravery in traveling from Ambercaast to a celebration much outside her comfort zone.
Tovi rocketed to Jarosa, who grinned, pleased at his enthusiasm.
Airbelle studied the two terrons, then cheeped and hopped into the middle of Lahna's snout, rocking her head back and forth and bouncing about. Her eyes crossed, trying to see the small bird.
“Airbelle,” Carnival said with exasperation, nudging her with the nub of the brush. “I can’t paint with you in the way.”
She twittered and hopped onto the terron’s head, then danced down her back, leaving bright green footprints before whisking under her belly and landing on the Shaloar rebel’s shoulder, holding a shell in her beak. She released it into Carnival’s palm while Lahna gasped, her light blue eyes wide in shock.
“Well, now,” he said, holding up the money. “A pretty shell for a pretty terron. Do you have a bag to put it in?”
She shook her head. Gabby giggled and took the shell.
“I do,” she declared, pulling out a small black bag with a huge G painted on it. “We can share until you get your own.”
“We needs to get ‘m tokens,” Rin said, tapping a fruity lollipop at the younger rat before sticking it back in his mouth and talking around the round candy. “Maydie ‘n Movique ‘r sayin’ they has special ones fer the special guests.”
Iole slipped to the rat’s side and pointed at her butterfly-bedecked face. “I got a butterfly, too!” she told the young terron. Lapis appreciated that Midir and Elysia refused to purchase an expensive costume for their daughter, letting her participate as the rats did. It would give her a different view of Fools and Ghouls outside the stuffy, upper class religious celebration, and, hopefully, a cheerier one.
“That’s scary.”
She looked over at Cassa, whose pained expression sent her into giggles. The woman took out a thin square of silver tech and pointed it at her son, who proudly grinned and showed off the terrifying skull Jarosa painted on him, and took pictures. The rebel had to have thought about this scenario, how to make a terron face look scary—and she exceeded any expectations. Airbelle flew to Jarosa's shoulder, studied Tovi, made a production of shuddering, and nipped in and out, pulling a shell from his ear. Cassa reddened at the teasing.
Carnival finished with Lahna, and the scientist took pictures of her, too, relieved.
“I love the butterfly,” she said. “I can’t wait to show your mother.”
“We’s off,” Rin declared.
Who moved faster, the two terrons or the rats, Lapis did not know. She accepted Brone’s blanket and change cup, and he joined Lyet and the Wings while they waited for Iole. She looked at Faelan, who winked, and she took that as a sign. Singing a little song, she joined the rats and they disappeared into the crowd.
Cassa stared morosely after her son; Dagby kissed the side of her head, and she looked up at him, laughing. “I suppose it’s silly, being sad he’s growing up,” she said.
“Not at all,” Granna Cup said with a suffering sigh. “It’s the bane of parenthood.” As far as Lapis could tell, the scientist impressed both her and her granddaughter, and neither could quite believe Dagby had the good taste in pursuing a relationship with her. They also could not quite believe the very important people he now associated with, though the older woman’s keen interest in the community centers and the new farmer’s market out Blossom way proved she would take advantage of the connections.
“Patch and I need to check on Phialla and Ness,” Lapis said. She set her hand on Carnival’s shoulder. “You don’t mind, doing the painting?”
“Of course not, though you should bring some wake juice as a thank you.” He grinned before turning to the next little girl who eagerly awaited paint. She was not a rat, but from the desperate state of her and her mother’s clothing, Lapis doubted they could afford any other costume. Carnival thought so as well, since Airbelle pulled a shell from both her and her parent’s hair.
Patch snickered. “We can do that,” he promised. Jarosa blew her breath through her teeth as those who knew the Shaloar rebel laughed. Patch grabbed her hand, and they disappeared into the rambunctious crowd.
Lapis thought the celebrators near the bonfire were noisy, but the ones strewn between the other squares were deafening. People called, roared in laughter, spoke loud enough to rise above the general cacophony. Merchants manning stalls and booths shrieked to bring attention to their merchandise, and she winced at the piercing calls.
Screaming, gleeful children ran between adults, carrying sacks that held their treats and banging them against hapless adult legs. A few shouted with annoyance, but most just ignored the exuberant young ones.
Walkways had so many people, skimming around the press of bodies by hugging the walls of buildings did no good. Escaping the oppressive heat, which filled every space, became as impossible as avoiding the odors of food, perfume, and body stink. Patch finally tugged her into the center of the lane; people, when they realized who swung the empty wake juice jug around to clear his way, receded from them, leaving tiny but appreciated gaps to maneuver in.
Mimstone Square, where Phialla and Ness set up shop, had Late Year garlands of yellow, orange and red leaves strung between the light poles, glittery crimson ribbon tangled throughout. The stalls and booths had something to match the décor, creating a nice, warm-hued atmosphere. She and Patch shoved through the sluggishly moving throng to reach the two rats; how did anyone sell anything with so many people milling about?
She did not realize how tightly she held her partner’s hand until he squeezed it back. Usually he disliked the crowds more, and she could not explain the unease that overrode his.
They reached the two just as they were setting their blanket in the bottom of the empty wagon, covering their bulging change bag. Both beamed at her, and she grinned back.
“Quite the take,” she said.
“Lady, it’s been so busy!” Phialla said. “We don’t have anything left to sell, here or at the Eaves!”
“If you want, Patch and I can take the wagon back, and you can go get your faces painted and catch up to the others.”
Ness perked up. “I want a skull,” he declared, and raced away.
Phialla clucked her tongue, exasperated, glanced at the wagon, then at them. “Are you sure?” she asked with a skeptical frown.
“We’re going to Ruddy’s memorial anyway, and the Eaves is on the way. So yeah, I’m sure. Go have a good time. Rin and the reading circle are with Tovi and Lahna, making the rounds.”
The rat grinned, reassured, and took off.
“Nice of you,” Patch said, swinging his empty wake juice jug before plopping it in the wagon.
“There’s no reason for them to make the extra trip when they could have fun instead,” she told him. He kissed her and grabbed the wagon’s handle.
She needed quiet, but did not get it. There seemed to be just as many on the street to the Eaves as in the Lells, and the crowd stretched to Coin, heading for the Ruddy’s memorial. Dachs cast them a wide grin when they reached the tavern, then returned to filling paper cups with fizzy drink and watery beer. Rik manned the small pastry treats, handing them to excited children while chit-chatting with their parents.
“Rik, haven’t seen you in a while,” Lapis called.
“Lady!” he grinned, holding up a hand. “I thought you’d be at the Lells!”
“I was, and I’ll be going back,” she said. “But Phialla and Ness sold out, so I’m returning the wagon.”
Dachs shook his head. “The rats said there’s a humongous crowd.”
“There is,” Patch agreed. He jerked his head at the throng drifting past. “How often have you seen this many people outside your door?”
The barkeep shook his head. “I haven’t,” he admitted.
“If Mimstone and the bonfire square are indications, there are at least a couple thousand people there.” Patch ran a hand through his bangs. “Maydie and Movique were smart to get outside merchants to set up for tonight. They’re going to remember all the money they made, and I bet they’ll be back next year.”
Lapis peeked inside; no wonder Rik helped give out treats. Standing room only, though everyone seemed in high spirits, waving drink around and singing.
“Heard your guests showed up,” Rik said, eyeing her expectantly.
“They did. Come and meet them. Maydie and Movique were generous enough to let us set up the booth near the bonfire.”
Dachs snorted. “No generosity there,” he grumbled. “Good business sense, though.”
Patch chortled at the dig and dragged the wagon to the side door of the building. She held it open for him as the wheels bumped over the jamb. The rats had locked the portal leading into the Eaves proper, so no one could root around in the pottery materials and tools. Good. She did not want to replace equipment a drunk or two banged on and accidentally broke. She smacked her hands together and turned into Patch; her partner caught her up and pressed her to his chest, then kissed her.
“You know,” he whispered, his lips tickling her ear, “no one’s going to miss us for a little bit.”
“Yeah.”
“And we have a room right upstairs.”
Lapis tingled. “Yeah.”
He kissed her nose. “And no rats to interrupt.”
“Yeah.”
He smoothed his lips across her cheek, and streaks of desire coursed through her chest. “Just us two, and a bed.”
Perfect!
People had spilled into the stairwell and out the back door, smoking and joking and drinking, and while they jostled to get inside, Dachs had placed a rope to block the stairs, keeping the customers from nosing about. Free of the crowd, Lapis hurried to their room, eager to wallow in a heat not created by dozens of bodies. She hid the rat pay, and by the time she turned to her partner, his clothes lay in a heap on the floor, and he had stretched out on the bed, head propped up on his arms, waiting.
Time to indulge.
Joy rushed from her head to her breast as their lips met. He slid his hands across her waist, under her shirt, leaving hot imprints behind as he tugged it from her. She kissed her way down his neck, to his chest, his abdomen, lower, exploring him with flushed delight, ecstatic at his palpable desire.
The noise receded as she concentrated on him, his heat. The faint smell of the soap and musky cologne he used that morning tingled her senses, and she rubbed her nose against him, breathing deeply. Sweat beaded on his skin before he pulled her back to his eager mouth and shoved his hands down her buttocks, molding them while he pressed against her.
The rest of her clothes hit the floor, and he rolled her over, exploring her soft bits with teasing lips and tongue. Heat spun in waves from her groin to her cheeks, and she arched against him, moaning. He joined with her, and she wrapped her legs about him, gasping at each sizzling pulse triggered by his thrusts. Hot release rocked her, and she soared on light-headed exhilaration.
He kissed her, feather-soft touches against her lips. “Lapis,” he whispered. “I have something for you.”
He fished his pants to them with the tips of his toes and withdrew something from his pocket. Snuggling back, nuzzling her cheek, he wrapped her in his arms and legs before holding up a necklace. The silver chain held a shimmery purple gemstone mounted on a gleaming silver pendant etched with sun rays.
“Patch,” she breathed, grasping the jewelry in her palm. He gave her a purple sapphire, not a plastic Grey Streets fake, which must have cost him several silver to purchase. Happiness pulsed through her at the unexpected, extravagant gift.
“You’re the rays that drive the darkness away.”
It meant more than that. Patch’s sentimentality did not shine often, and something about the night, the celebration, sparked the plea for light. She kissed him as she wrapped the chain about her fingers, then stroked his cheek, delighting in the stubble that prickled the tips.
“You rescued me from my darkest days,” she murmured. “If my light drives your darkness away, it’s because you lit my flame first.” She brushed her lips across his chin. “How can I not shine bright, after you cradled me so?”
He cupped her face in his palm. “Are you happy?”
“I’m beyond ecstatic, to wallow in your love.” She caressed the side of his brilliant blue eye, and slowly slid her fingers down to his jaw. “I don’t need a marriage proposal to realize it, I just need you.” She kissed him with passion, to reassure him of her devotion. “My love, you’re stuck with me for the remainder of your days.”
He laughed, relieved. “Stuck? I think that’s my line.”
“Nope. Because, you see, you’re the cool famous chaser who could have anyone he wanted. You chose me instead.”
“Not you instead.” He grasped the hand that clasped the necklace, brushed the back with a feathery kiss, and brought it to his chest. “And I’m not that cool.”
He bit his lip at her squinty incredulity, mischief lighting his eye. So be it. She trickled her fingers down his length; his muscles twitched and firmed at the touch. Grinning, she burrowed into him, planning to wallow in his blissful uncoolness for a second exultant round before returning to the humdrum of the festival.
