Page 124 of Lost Girl

“I know, shocking.” I laugh, head shaking side to side. “Trust me, almost three months in, and I’m still mindblown daily.”

And today will be the last.

Everyone around me seems to go from the initial shock to excited within moments, my mother included—which says a lot given her extent of joy these days has been reduced to nothing more than her favorite dessert.

Perhaps it’s time I start feeling that joy, too, and remind myself that everything happens for a reason.

Everything.

?Nocturnes, Op. 9: No. 1 in B--Flat Minor -

Frederic Chopin?

One month later...

The last month of my life has been all about healing. Paralysis episodes have diminished quite a bit, have suffered maybe three in total throughout, and that’s without the help of Persia’s teas. They still have the ability to leave me breathless during, but I don’t awake nearly as terrorized anymore. I can’t remember much about them, either, other than that invisible phantom weight.

One that’s not as heavy as it once used to be.

The whisper seems to have departed, too, leaving me to wonder if Tavi’s mark has anything to do with it.

Wouldn’t surprise me in the slightest. From the moment that wolf appeared on my collarbone like a tattoo, I felt this immediate, overwhelming sense of protection, like he’d always be with me even when he wasn’t. The man is my own personal soothing balm, the salve to all my open wounds.

And with every passing day, he stitches them up a little more.

Admiring the mark in the mirror, I stuff my arms into the lace sleeves of my maroon dress and smooth down the bodice, reaching behind my back to pull up the zipper.

“Need some help?” Tavi husks out, his decadent voice resounding from the door.

Our stares lock through the dresser’s mirror, my cheeks heating under his appreciative gaze. “Please.”

Pushing off the threshold, he strolls over and makes quick work of closing me up. “You look beautiful.”

“Well, you’re taking me out tonight, right? I had to get all done up for you.”

“You didn’t have to,” he laughs. “You’re always the most beautiful sight of my day, dressed up or not.”

Smirking, I pivot to face him and smooth my hands up his chest. He looks so handsome, and he’s not even wearing anything remotely fancy. Just a simple black long-sleeved shirt and trousers. “I do believe that sounds like you’re trying to find your way beneath this dress, Mr. Wolf, am I right?”

“Iwouldsay yes, but need I remind you about that pesky little cycle you have going on right now?”

“Actually…” I drawl candidly. “I stopped bleeding earlier this afternoon.”

“Wait,” his head jerks back, “already? That was like what, three days?”

“Just about, yes. I’m sure my body is still trying to work its way back to normal.” I hate to even bring it up, but it’s the truth. Ward warned me it might take a while for my cycles to return back to normal.

As always, Tavi’s unfazed by the topic, reeling me in closer with that dazzling grin carved on his lips. “In that case, then yes, I was definitely trying to get beneath this dress.”

“You’re still going to have to wait, though.” I tap the very tip of his nose. “I got all dressed up. We’re leaving this house and enjoying the night out.”

“Oh, absolutely.” His grin widens, more devious now than anything else. “I made sure the piano was available for the whole night, too, so you have no excuse this time.You’re playing for me.”

I’d love to say he’s kidding, but we all know he isn’t. He wanted me to play then, and clearly, the sentiment hasn’t changed one bit.

The main difference this time around? There’s not a soul in sight when we arrive at the theater in town.

“What did you do? Have Hook ban everyone for the night?” I quip jokingly as we stroll down the aisle hand in hand, only to find Tavi smirking beside me.

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