Page 39 of Tomlin

“Not at all. It was perfect.”

He searched her face, and she smiled up at him. She wasn’t entirely sure how the bond between them worked, but she didher best to share her love, her contentment, and he finally relaxed.

She settled back down in his arms, but now her curiosity had been roused.

“How far does the bond extend?” she asked thoughtfully. “You knew I was in trouble, didn’t you?”

“I knew you were terrified.” His voice hardened. “I hope I do not regret letting Finnar live.”

“I don’t think you will. He’s so… broken.”

He sighed quietly.

“I know. And I understood.”

She squeezed his hand sympathetically as she returned to her previous train of thought.

“Would you have known if I was happy?”

A laugh vibrated through his chest, and for the first time he truly sounded like himself.

“My little scholar, always searching for answers.”

“I’ll have to search for different answers now,” she said sadly and this time he was the one to offer comfort.

“Perhaps not. You can continue to search; you just cannot share your findings. As for your question, I believe it is the strength of the emotion rather than the distance that determines how far it conveys. But there is a… tie between us now no matter how far apart we are. If we were separated, I would find you.”

The possessive note in his voice didn’t tighten her. It made her feel safe, loved.

“Good.”

The crash of a falling beam made her jump, reminding her that her home had been destroyed. She was surprised to find that the pain of that loss wasn’t as sharp as she’d expected. Instead, a strange sense of lightness settled over her. This isolated lab had been intended as refuge, her fortress against a world she’d never quite felt part of. But now…

“You know,” she said slowly, “maybe this is a sign. I’ve spent so long shutting myself away, convinced that my work was all that mattered. But now…”

She trailed off, looking up at Tomlin. In just a few short days, he’d shown her a world beyond her research, filled with passion and connection she’d never thought possible.

“Now?” he prompted gently.

She took a deep breath.

“Now, I’m thinking that maybe it’s time for a change. Time to stop hiding and start living.”

“That sounds like an excellent idea. Did you have a location in mind?”

“Would you object if we returned to Port Cantor, at least for a while? I still own the house I inherited from my parents, and it would give me an opportunity to decide what to do about my position at the university and consider other research opportunities. But if you think it would be too much, we can go somewhere else,” she added quickly.

He’d stilled at the question, but after a moment, he nodded thoughtfully.

“I think it will be all right. I used to return to the city each time we picked up a new caravan. I believe that with you at my side, I will be able to stay longer.”

“Then that’s what we’ll do - as long as you promise to tell me if it becomes too much for you.”

“I promise,” he said solemnly.

“Then we’ll set out in the morning?” She no longer had anything keeping her here, but she suspected that he needed some time to recover from the fight.

“I think that would be wise,” he admitted. “I will do my best to make you comfortable.”

---