Page 65 of Tail Me No Lies
Ruth waited a solid minute before she relaxed.
“That was surreal,” she said to the empty room.
The room responded.
“Fighting another battle for me,” Nox said, his voice barely more than a croak.
“Nox!” She threw her arms around him and immediately pulled back when he made a pained noise.
“Kitten.” He swiveled his head, as if following the sound of her pounding heart. “I can’t see you.”
“That’s the bandages. Your eyes are fine.”
He pawed at them until she pushed his hands away.
“Stop that. We’ll get a medic to remove them.”
“I want to see you, kitten.”
“Shh. Don’t speak. Let me get you some water.” She poured a glass, her hands trembling. Half of the contents spilled as she tipped it against his lips. “Just a little. You’ve been asleep for a long time.”
“I heard you.”
“Your uncle paid you a visit.” Ruth set the glass down.
“No.” Nox placed his hand over hers. “Everything.”
He heard everything. Her crying. Her pleading to the universe. Her desperate attempts at bargaining to get him back. The weeks of worry and stress came down on her hard.
Staring down a crime boss? Easy peasy. Keeping it together now that Nox was awake? Impossible.
“What is this? Do not cry,” he said, wiping away the tears on her face.
“It’s too big. My heart can’t take it.”
“Then I will carry yours.”
This man. Nearly killed himself to save her, just woke up from weeks of being unconscious, and was comforting her. How did she ever think he was a bad idea? He was the best idea she ever had.
Ruth leaned down, pressing a kiss to his lips. “And I’ll carry yours.”
Epilogue
Nox
“Is this something you want?” Nox asked in a whisper. He leaned close to keep their conversation private in the crowd.
The late spring sun warmed the air comfortably for the outdoor ceremony. Padded benches were arranged on two sides with an aisle down the center. Flower petals led to an altar under an arch. Draped fabric and flowers decorated the wooden arch. Golden ribbons gleamed in the sunlight.
The garden cooperated and flowers bloomed on schedule. The clover lawn was a plus and pleasing green. Trees held tender green buds and flowering blossoms that scattered on the breeze.
Nox did not possess gardening skills, but he had been volunteered—volentold, his mate called it—to help with the cleanup. For the last week, he cleared away winter debris from garden beds and planted annuals. He lifted and carried without question. He still had dirt under his claws. Regardless, he admired his hard work.
It was a perfect day. Thanks to him.
“Is it something you want?” Ruth asked in a whispered reply.
His mate sat on the side with his good ear. The prosthetic ear worked well enough but lacked fine motor control. Unable to move it as required, Nox had to tilt his head to hear Ruth’s soft words. A small annoyance in the grand scheme of things. What irritated him the most was the complete lack of expression in the prosthetic ear.
