Page 83 of Tethered Magick

Jolon interpreted for me. “Sy says it wasn’t a good situation, and let me tell you, that’s an understatement.”

Sometimes it was frustrating not getting to truly talk to her, but so far we were making it work. Someday we’d figure out how to get the mate bonds established, and we wouldn’t have this issue any longer. How I yearned for the day my sweet little mate got to hear my voice, even if it was only in her mind.

Lorn hesitantly chanced another berry, experimenting with how much food she could tolerate without blood. I saw her face scrunch before the expression smoothed away, but instead of popping the strawberry into her mouth, she nibbled it like an adorable rabbit.

“I’m sorry about your parents, and that you had to grow up without a family, but I’m so happy you had each other.” Lorn leaned over and gave my cheek a slightly sticky kiss. “And now we’re making our own family.”

I cupped my hand around the back of her neck and looked into her eyes, hoping she could see how much I liked that. It was easy to picture the life ahead with Lorn.

Jolon and I had gotten by alright over the years, but no place had felt like home until we’d found Lorn. Overnight, she’d changed our lives, and I wanted to show her how much hope and happiness she brought to us.

I’d protect this woman until my dying breath. When she’d been endangered by my own kind, nothing could have stopped me from ripping the threat apart limb from limb. I’d kill for her—I already had—and I’d die for her just as easily.

“Lorn has a surprise for you too.” Jolon grinned mischievously, and Lorn blushed.

I shifted her on my lap until she straddled my waist.

I signed and mouthed the words, hoping she’d be able to read my lips. “What is it?”

Lorn tucked her long, dark hair behind her ear and peeked at Jolon who nodded encouragingly.

Biting her lip, she took a deep breath and began to sign.

Her hands moved fluidly, first in a wave that said,“Hey,”before following it up by placing her middle fingers near her collarbones, all fingers extended, then flicking her hands upward and out, signing,“What’s up?”

Stunned, I replied,“Hi. On a date with a beautiful woman.”

Jolon helped translate for Lorn, but she didn’t take her eyes off of me.

My heart swelled in my chest as she signed again. She pointed at herself first, then flattened one hand palm up, and with the other hand, pressed her fingers together and dragged them up to her forehead, making the sign for ‘learn.’ I’d always thought it looked like someone picking knowledge out of a book and trying to absorb it. Lastly, she spun her fists in a wheel-like motion, her index fingers out, completing the sentence,“I am learning sign.”

I signed back, and Lorn’s face scrunched adorably as she tried to make sense out of the motions she didn’t yet know.

“He said he’s proud of you,” Jolon informed her.

For a few more minutes, we had a short conversation until she asked me what my favorite color was.

I signed while Jolon murmured my answer. “It used to be green, but now it’s a particular shade of blue. Your eyes are like the sky. Beautiful and bright.”

“Syler.” Lorn’s arms snaked around my neck and she kissed me sweetly, her lips sucking and nipping at mine in a dance that grew more heated with each press.

Lorn pulled away abruptly, pressing her lips into a thin line, her face contorted in pain.

I soothed my hands down her back in concern, willing her to open her eyes and talk to me.

“Sorry,” she gritted out, trying to keep her fangs under control.

She didn’t need to worry. I was ready and willing to feed her. Didn’t she know how I ached to feel her lips close around my neck, knowing I was giving her my essence and keeping her healthy and satisfied? I’d protect her and provide for her always. It was my job in the pack, and my duty and honor as her mate.

Wincing, Lorn signed once more, and I nearly choked, trying to hold back my laughter.

Her hand made a ‘C’ shape facing her throat, and she jerked her arm up and down, trying to let me know she was hungry.

Jolon coughed to cover a laugh, and we exchanged wide grins.

“Oh shit,” she groaned. “What did I just say? I was trying to say I was hungry.”

“You did… just not for food,” Jolon teased, raking his gaze along her body appreciatively.