Page 48 of Rainse
"I can see that." His gaze flicked between us, taking in every detail—our wrinkled clothes, the faint glow of my greenskin, the way Verity's hand was still tucked in mine. "Productive shelter, I assume."
"Very," Verity said before I could answer, and I loved her for it.
Elise practically bounced on her toes. "Oh my God. You bonded. You actually bonded. Fionn, they bonded!"
"I have eyes, love."
"This is so exciting! Welcome to the family, Verity. Officially. Well, almost officially. You need to do the DNA test, right? But basically officially. Close enough." She grabbed Verity's free hand. "How are you feeling? Are you okay? Do you need anything? Water? Food? A nap?"
"I need," Verity said carefully, "to submit a DNA sample and then possibly sleep for twelve hours."
"We can arrange that," Fionn said. "Though Pam will want to speak with you first."
I groaned. "Can't that wait?"
"You vanished for an entire night with a human female during a tropical storm," Fionn said. "No, it cannot wait. She's already called twice."
Verity squeezed my hand. "It's fine. Let's just get it over with."
Twenty minutes later, we were seated in Fionn's office—a human conference room that had been converted into something resembling a command centre. Pam's hologram flickered to life above the desk, her expression the particular blend of professional and long-suffering that I'd come to know well.
"Rainse," she said. "And Verity. How lovely to see you both alive and well."
"Thank you for your concern," I said.
"That wasn't concern. That was sarcasm." She adjusted her glasses. "Now, would someone like to explain to me why you two disappeared? Again? During a storm?"
Verity's cheeks flushed pink. I bit back a smile.
"We took shelter from the storm," I said.
"I'm sure you did." Pam's gaze sharpened.
"Yes, we did" Verity confirmed. "And I'd now like to submit a DNA sample to confirm the match officially."
Pam's expression softened slightly. "I see. And this was your choice? You weren't coerced or pressured?"
"Absolutely not." Verity's voice was firm. "Rainse has been nothing but respectful. Well, mostly respectful. The point is, I chose this. I want this."
Something in my chest loosened at her words. I'd known she wanted me—the bond made that clear—but hearing her say it out loud, in front of witnesses, felt like vindication.
"Very well," Pam said. "Elise has been kind enough to offer the Tidebound to fly the sample to our lab. That will make everything much quicker. Paul, my representative on the island, will give you a sample pack. All you have to do is spit in a tube, nothing scary. If you do it right away, then results should be back within twenty-four hours."
"Twenty-four hours?" I echoed. "That fast?"
"I'm fast-tracking it." Pam's mouth twitched. "Consider it a gesture of goodwill. Or perhaps an attempt to prevent any more unauthorised glowing huts on my island. Yes, Fionn told me."
I worked hard to repress a comment along the lines of 'my greenskin is none of your business'.
"Verity, we'll also need to discuss your status moving forward. You came here as a rescued shipwreck victim, but if you're choosing to stay?—"
"I have questions about that," Verity interrupted. "If I stay, what happens to my work? My research?"
Pam raised an eyebrow. "What would you like to happen?"
"I'm a marine biologist," Verity said. "Specifically, I study cetaceans—whales, dolphins, that sort of thing. I've spent years building my career, and I'm not willing to give that up. Not even for—" She glanced at me. "Well. Not even for excellent reasons. I can do some of my work remotely, but I need a lab. Storage for samples. Assistants or students."
Pride surged through me. This was my mate—brilliant, determined, unwilling to compromise herself for anyone. I didn't want her to give up her work, her passion for me. I would support her in her endeavours, no matter what.
