Page 52 of Dreaming of Darkness

Traum released me, stepping sideways and guiding me back onto my barstool. “You must be Elena; Bailey has talked about you many times.”

Elena blushed, eyes jumping between us. “Bailey and I were just catching up, but I know you two don’t get much time together. I’m going to leave you to it.”

“Elena–” I started, Traum’s hand found my knee under the counter.

“You’re more than welcome to join us.”

Elena picked up her jacket and then her work bag, “No, no, here. You finish this,” she scooted her untouched drink towards us, “And I’ll see you on Monday.”

I nodded, feeling flushed and warm as Traum’s bulk settled against my back. He was saying goodbye to Elena too, and hisbig hand settled around her drink, pulling it to me. But I barely cared.

As soon as Elena was gone, I found myself staring up at him. After a moment, I ran a finger down the side of his face. “I’m still getting used to this side of you.”

Traum snorted, “Are you disappointed?”

“Not at all, just surprised.”

The drink and a million questions settled between us. And while the bond hummed like barely contained electricity, there was something more now.

An awareness of reality.

And that this would be his last chance to visit before we bonded. And I still wanted that. But I needed clarification.

“What do you want to talk about first?”

I laughed, “Am I so easy to read?”

Traum’s lips curled, “Not easy, little dream. But I am also aware of what hangs in the balance.” My mate, or soon to be mate, leaned against me, “Start with the hard ones.”

“Okay, if you want to start with the hard ones, then let’s talk location,” I turned to face the bar once again, avoiding eye contact. I felt like it might keep me from spewing out all my concerns. “Where will we live? Will we stay in the Underworld? Or will you come to the living world?”

My eyes burned, “I wasted so much of our time unsure that this bond was real, that now we know how much we want this, and no idea how to make it happen.”

“You could come to the Underworld,” Traum suggested, “I could come to the living world.”

“And wear glamour all the time? No way.”

“I would do anything, Bailey, to make you happy. It would be a small sacrifice to spend every day by your side.”

“I don’t have family, I could easily move to yours,” I took a small sip of the drink and then pushed it away. Alcohol and these typesof conversations were not good mixed. “No one is waiting on me here. You will be missed.”

My stomach clenched, why was this so hard to imagine? I could walk into the Underworld. I could be there with him. I would be happy with him.

But fuck, would I just spend my days with his family waiting for him to come back from being inside someone’s dream? Making them come and beg for him? My skin crawled at the reality of it.

Traum’s body shifted, “I would miss my family greatly, but there’s something missing.”

“What do you mean?”

“It doesn’t feel right,” Traum’s long fingers drummed against the countertop, “We’re missing something. I just feel like we’re meant to do something else. Find another route.”

I swallowed, trying to calm my racing heart. “What did your family say?”

“They only want me to be happy. It doesn’t matter to them.” Traum’s hand rested on the center of my back, “We will find a way. This is only a small hiccup on a path to forever. Remember that.”

“I know, it’s just making me panicky. Can we go home so we can focus on just us?”

“Absolutely,” Traum helped me from the chair and together we paid our tab and wandered from the building. The cool air outside felt heavenly on my over-warm face. Traum appeared unphased by the weather and escorted me down the row back to the parking garage behind my building.

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