Page 29 of Heartsong
What she did for Shannon didn’t feel nice. At least, Anna didn’t feel nice.
When Captain came within grabbing distance, she snagged him from the floor to bury her face in his soft belly. He pawed at her head, but Anna just held him and listened to his reverberating purr.
With a little time, her soft spot stopped feeling so much like a bruise.
“Thank you, Cappy,” she whispered before setting him on the floor.
She treated him to an early dinner before seeing how her own was getting on. She was setting the oven to temperature when the sun finally dipped below the horizon.
When a deep voice called her name from the living room, her heart gave a mysteriously happy kick.
9
Frey eased into wakefulness this time, letting the change happen. His skin prickled with the feel of the air, and his lungs filled with a steady breath. Unfurling his wings, he let them crack and snap, coming fully awake with a shake of his whole body.
Like throwing off water from a swim, he tossed away the last vestiges of his forced slumber.
His mate’s dwelling was dim but occupied; the smells and sounds of cooking emanated from the kitchen, and the rooms had a warmth to them he associated with only her.
“Anna?” he called.
She stepped out from behind the wall separating the main living space from the kitchen. The cuffs of her thin sweater had been pushed nearly to her elbows, and fluffy socks clad her otherwise bare feet. Her hair had been piled atop her head, and large spectacles he’d never seen her wearing before perched on her nose.
The warmth he felt upon seeing her drew a smile to his lips. His heart gave a suspicious pang in his chest, and a rumbling purr began in earnest beneath his sternum. Frey closed the distance between them in a few strides, happy when she not only let him come but allowed him to ease a loose lock of hair behind her ear.
“Good evening,fynghân. Have you had a fair day?”
The beginnings of a smile twitched across her lips. “I’ve had a productive day,” she replied.
Frey didn’t quite understand the difference, but it didn’t matter, really.
“And did you miss me?”
A comely blush pinkened her cheeks, and those plush lips twisted to contain her bashful smile.
Frey hadn’t been much of a flirt before; the partners he’d had were guardians—straightforward with their wants and desires with him and he to them. No need for coyness or games. But something inside wanted to play with his mate, to tease and coax and gentle. He was rewarded with that begrudging smile, even if she tried to hide it with a mock frown and turned back toward the kitchen.
He followed close behind, like a puppy chasing skirts, but he didn’t let that wound his pride. A successful hunter was one who exercised adaptability and persistence.
And he liked watching the sway of her hips as she walked. That seam in her braies bisecting her ample backside made her stride damn near hypnotic.
“I did have you on my mind,” she said.
Frey rumbled with pleasure. “Mysterious. And very flattering.”
Although she’d given him her profile, he didn’t miss that very female roll of her eyes.
“Dinner will be ready soon, but if…” She spun to face him, sliding easily on the floor in her socks. Her expression had gone pensive again, and Frey made himself be patient for what she would say. Clearing her throat, she continued, “I got you these today.”
Skirting around him, she picked up a small pile of folded fabric from the dining table to hand to him.
The bottom of Frey’s chest opened up, sucking his heart down to his feet.
His Anna had procured him clothing.
“Cân fy nghalon…” He held up the clothes in wonderment, astonished by their softness. They seemed thin and perhaps not practical for hunting and flying, but the tight stitching and softness spoke of their luxury. “You did not have to go to such an expense for me.”
“Oh, ah…” Anna retreated to the kitchen to stir whatever was simmering over the small fire. “Don’t worry about it, they aren’t Gucci or anything. I just thought you’d like to have something of your own. I hope they fit, you can try them out in the bathroom. Or—” Her gaze cut nervously to him and then his wings, “or my room, there are mirrors in there. So you can see.”
