Chapter 20

CHAPTER 20

E tta nestled against Tomlin in a contented daze. Their lovemaking had been savage, wild, unlike anything they had shared before. He'd never let go of his control so completely but she'd never been afraid. His wildness had released her own passion, matching his every step of the way.

Then she felt him tense beneath her.

"Don't," she said firmly.

"Don't what?"

"Don't apologize."

"Was I… Did I hurt you?" he asked instead, his voice tight with concern.

She leaned back against his arm so she could see his face.

"Not at all. It was perfect."

He searched her face, and she smiled up at him. She wasn't entirely sure how the bond between them worked, but she did her best to share her love, her contentment, and he finally relaxed.

She settled back down in his arms, but now her curiosity had been roused.

"How far does the bond extend?" she asked thoughtfully. "You knew I was in trouble, didn't you?"

"I knew you were terrified." His voice hardened. "I hope I do not regret letting Finnar live."

"I don't think you will. He's so… broken."

He sighed quietly.

"I know. And I understood."

She squeezed his hand sympathetically as she returned to her previous train of thought.

"Would you have known if I was happy?"

A laugh vibrated through his chest, and for the first time he truly sounded like himself.

"My little scholar, always searching for answers."

"I'll have to search for different answers now," she said sadly and this time he was the one to offer comfort.

"Perhaps not. You can continue to search; you just cannot share your findings. As for your question, I believe it is the strength of the emotion rather than the distance that determines how far it conveys. But there is a… tie between us now no matter how far apart we are. If we were separated, I would find you."

The possessive note in his voice didn't tighten her. It made her feel safe, loved.

"Good."

The crash of a falling beam made her jump, reminding her that her home had been destroyed. She was surprised to find that the pain of that loss wasn't as sharp as she'd expected. Instead, a strange sense of lightness settled over her. This isolated lab had been intended as refuge, her fortress against a world she'd never quite felt part of. But now…

"You know," she said slowly, "maybe this is a sign. I've spent so long shutting myself away, convinced that my work was all that mattered. But now…"

She trailed off, looking up at Tomlin. In just a few short days, he'd shown her a world beyond her research, filled with passion and connection she'd never thought possible.

"Now?" he prompted gently.

She took a deep breath.

"Now, I'm thinking that maybe it's time for a change. Time to stop hiding and start living."

"That sounds like an excellent idea. Did you have a location in mind?"

"Would you object if we returned to Port Cantor, at least for a while? I still own the house I inherited from my parents, and it would give me an opportunity to decide what to do about my position at the university and consider other research opportunities. But if you think it would be too much, we can go somewhere else," she added quickly.

He'd stilled at the question, but after a moment, he nodded thoughtfully.

"I think it will be all right. I used to return to the city each time we picked up a new caravan. I believe that with you at my side, I will be able to stay longer."

"Then that's what we'll do - as long as you promise to tell me if it becomes too much for you."

"I promise," he said solemnly.

"Then we'll set out in the morning?" She no longer had anything keeping her here, but she suspected that he needed some time to recover from the fight.

"I think that would be wise," he admitted. "I will do my best to make you comfortable."

He somehow managed to work his usual magic despite their limited resources. He arranged the hay bales into a bed, covering them with horse blankets after doing his best to air them out. He disconnected the automatic pump from the well, then drew fresh water so she could wash away the dirt and soot.

She insisted on cleaning his wounds as well, despite his assurance that he healed quickly. She believed him, but she felt better knowing that they had been attended to. He even left her long enough to gather supplies for a quick meal.

After they ate, he gave her a thoughtful look.

"I've been thinking about your question - about how far the bond extends - and remembered another tale, one I haven't told you."

"What is it?"

"A young healer was exploring the caves of her homeland when she discovered a stone buried deep within the earth. The moment she touched it she had a vision of a warrior, fierce and scarred, but with pain in his eyes. In that moment their hearts connected, and she set out in search of him."

He paused a moment, looking up at the stars sprinkled across the dark velvet of the sky.

"In the version I heard she traveled throughout the stars looking for him. She found him at last on the front lines of a battle he had long since lost faith in. The minute they touched, the mating lines glowed on his skin. With the strength of her love to guide him, he ended the war and they built a new future together."

"That's beautiful," she said softly, running her fingers along one of the blue lines marking his skin. "I'm glad they found each other, just like we found each other."

The night was cool, but she slept warm and safe in his arms, and the next morning they set out for Wainwright. The weight of her loss began to lift, replaced by a cautious excitement for what lay ahead. For so long, she'd convinced herself that isolation was necessary for her work, that emotional connections were a distraction. Now, with Tomlin, she realized how wrong she'd been.

The rhythmic sound of hoofbeats seemed to echo her thoughts. New beginnings. Fresh start. Hope.

"Are you all right?"

His voice broke through her reverie, and she smiled at him.

"I'm fine," she said truthfully.

The lab might be gone, but what she'd found with Tomlin was far more precious than any research or equipment. As they rode on, her heart felt lighter than it had in years. The sorrow of what she'd lost faded, overshadowed by the promise of what was to come. With Tomlin, she wasn't just starting over - she was starting something better.