Page 30 of Grin and Bear It

“We can continue our professional discussion tomorrow,” Jash called as Bryn pulled him away. “I have seventeen more questions about your magical signature identification process!”

Then the door closed behind them, and Thora and Artair were alone in the large room, the fire casting dancing shadows across the wooden floors.

“Your family is...”

“Overwhelming?” he suggested.

“I was going to say ‘intense,’ but that works too.” Thora stood, needing to move. The honey cake sat heavy in her stomach, and the memory of their sustained eye contact made her skin tingle. “Your grandmother seems convinced we’re... something.”

Artair ran a hand through his freshly groomed hair, disrupting Eira’s careful work. “She’s traditional. Any proximity between bears and potential mates triggers her matchmaking instincts.”

“I’m not a potential mate,” Thora said quickly, ignoring the way her sabertooth stirred in protest at the denial.

“Of course not.” His response came equally fast, though something flickered in his eyes that contradicted his words.

The tether pulsed gently between them, a silent reminder of their forced connection.

“So,” Thora glanced around, desperate to change the subject. “Where do we go from here? Literally, I mean. This thing won’t let us separate.”

Artair straightened, business-like again. “I have a cabin on the property. You can stay there tonight. It has separate bedrooms.”

“That works,” she nodded, relieved at the prospect of some privacy, however limited by their magical situation. “I’ll scoot the bed next to the door and you can sleep in the hall.”

He just shook his head and rolled his eyes.

Outside, the night air cooled Thora’s flushed skin as they walked a winding path through towering pines. Moonlight filtered through the branches, illuminating their way alongside the magical floating orbs that marked the paths.

Artair’s cabin turned out to be yet another example of Maxen understatement—a stunning two-story structure of glass and timber that dominated a small clearing. Inside, rustic luxury greeted them: leather furniture, a stone fireplace, and wide windows that showcased the forest beyond.

“Guest room is upstairs to the right,” Artair said, moving to activate the automated fireplace. “Bathroom’s en suite. There should be extra towels and toiletries.”

Thora nodded, painfully aware of how the tether would complicate even these simple arrangements. “And your room?”

“Master suite, opposite end of the hall.”

They both eyed the tether dubiously.

“Let’s see if it stretches that far,” Thora suggested.

They climbed the stairs together, the soft glow of wall sconces lighting their way. At the top, a wide hallway extended in both directions.

“I’ll go first,” Thora said, walking backward toward the guest room, measuring the tether’s give.

The golden cord stretched between them, thinning slightly but holding firm. Twelve feet. Fifteen feet. This was longer than earlier in the day. She reached the doorway of her room just as tension built in the magical connection.

“I think this is the limit,” she called.

Artair remained at the opposite end of the hall. “Can you reach the bed?”

Thora stepped inside, the tether stretched to maximum capacity. “Barely. The bathroom will be out of range.”

“Same situation here,” he replied after checking his own room. “We’ll have to coordinate bathroom breaks.”

“Fantastic,” Thora muttered. “This just keeps getting better.”

“We’ll manage,” Artair said, his practical tone failing to mask the underlying awkwardness. “Get some sleep. Tomorrow, we’ll visit Kalyna again and see if she’s found a solution.”

“Right.” Thora hesitated, suddenly reluctant to end their interaction. “Goodnight, then.”

---