Page 136 of Dawn Caravan
Not tonight. He wouldn’t ask tonight.
He could feel her in him, her amnis unexpectedly warm and threaded with an emotion so powerful and fine he understood why she had trouble putting it into words. Ben couldn’t name it either. Love seemed woefully inadequate.
“I love you.” Ben said it because even if she couldn’t say it, she needed to hear it. He kissed her shoulder and cupped her breast. “I love you more than anything.”
She didn’t speak, but her amnis kissed him. It reached out all over his body and enveloped him in warmth.
“Even though I love you,” he said, “I’m still kind of a mess.”
“I know.”
“I’m not… whole. I don’t feel whole yet.”
“I don’t need you to be.” Tenzin turned in his arms and looked at him. “I don’t need you to have all the answers to be mine. I will take whatever part of you is ready, Benjamin. The rest of you has time to catch up.”
He kissed her nose. “Sounds good, Tiny.”
Her smile lit the room. “It’s nice to see you again.”
“You know I’m going to want to do this again in about an hour.”
“Mmm.” She lifted an eyebrow. “Newborn energy. I like it.”
35
They left their shelter an hour before dawn. Ben and Tenzin stood over the wreckage of the burned-out caravan, and he felt his rage rising again.
“You’re sure it was Vano’s men?”
“They threw a very clever net over me and bound my feet.” She looked confused. “I’m not sure why they thought it would hold me. Do they think I need to flap my wings to fly?”
“I admit it would be funny, except for the fact that they tried to burn you alive.”
He heard Kezia’s voice over and over in his mind.
…may they never burn us alive.
“If this gets out, no one will ever stay in the Dawn Caravan again,” Ben said. “No one will trust it.”
Tenzin shrugged. “Maybe. They could always deny it happened.”
“Would anyone take the chance?” Ben turned to her. “Why? Why spoil the reputation of a valuable commodity like immortal trust when there are so many easier ways to get rid of us? And why leave me alive when they tried to kill you?”
“I believe Vano considered me the bigger threat. And I’m also known for disappearing for the odd decade or century, so if I go missing, it’s less suspicious. You, on the other hand—”
“Newly turned son of Zhang Guo, nephew of a famous assassin and scholar. Yeah, I’d be noticed.” He frowned. “Is it weird that I’m offended on your behalf?”
“It’s nice that you care, but Vano’s reasoning was solid.” She shrugged. “I do tend to disappear.”
He watched her. “But not from me. Not anymore.”
“No.” There was a slight frown between her eyes. “You’ve taken my blood twice now.”
“Yes.”
She looked at him. “If you take it another time or two, a more permanent mating bond will form.”
“I know.” He watched her carefully. “Does that bother you?”
