Page 168 of The Dark Mirror

My throat hurt. If I didn’t get a grip, I was going to cry all over him again.

‘Sounds nice.’ I toyed with his collar. ‘Are you asking me out?’

‘That was my intention.’

‘Took you long enough.’

‘I am immortal. This has been a swift courtship, by Rephaite standards,’ Arcturus said, ‘but I would like our union to be a long one.’ He touched me under the chin. ‘If you feel the same.’

‘I do.’ I leaned into his embrace. ‘I accept your offer, if you’ll accept the same from me.’

‘I do.’

We stayed that way for a long while. All those years of wandering, and I had found my safe place here.

‘Paige,’ Arcturus said, ‘if your instinct is to dreamwalk in our bed, you should not hold back. I do not fear your gift.’

‘I’m not saying I never will. I just think we should … build up to it.’

‘Would you like to start now?’

I did happen to want him now. The cord must be giving me away.

‘Not if you’d sooner rest,’ I said, though I couldn’t help but smile again. ‘Are you not tired?’

‘No. And I would not leave you wanting.’

He knelt before me again. Moving between my thighs, he traced the swell of one breast through my shirt and lowered his head to where the collar hung open, while his other hand glided under the dark cloth to brush my ribs, covering me in goosebumps. He unfastened the shirt and slipped it off my shoulders.

‘I love it when you look at me that way,’ I told him.

‘I remind you that I can do far more than look at you.’

He folded back one of my legs, lifting my knee towards my ribs. I closed my eyes in anticipation, wondering how I was going to be around him in public, wanting him as much as I did.

Out of nowhere, I wondered how Ducos would react if she found out about this. I shook with laughter before I could stop myself. Arcturus glanced up, eyes aglow.

‘Sorry. It’s not you,’ I said. ‘I just had a ridiculous thought.’

‘I would not mind if it had been me. I have not heard you laugh in far too long.’ He raised himself up to me for a moment, so his gaze was level with mine. ‘By all means, let your thoughts drift.’

‘Stop it. This is serious.’ I smiled into his kiss. ‘We’re committing a terrible flesh-crime.’

‘Hm.’

My coffee soon went cold, but nothing else in that room did.

For a few precious days, we lived like there was no one else in the entire world. We spent most of that time in bed, but now and then, when it felt safe, we walked the streets of Orvieto. We had a sunset picnic on the city wall. We explored a small Etruscan ruin and stole into the ancient caves. I let myself forget that Cade might soon be coming.

One day, we got up at dawn and followed the trail that surrounded the city, to get him used to walking longer distances. It was slow going, but I could see him taking a real interest in his surroundings again, which reassured me. He noticed birds and plants I would have missed.

Months ago, Arcturus had warned me that this path would not be easy. That had never been more apparent. His recovery was onlyjust beginning. I would stay the course for him, as he had done for me.

While he rested in the day, I trained as much as I could by myself, ensuring I could perform well-oiled jumps. I checked in with Nick, but there was no word from Sala.

You were overdue a rest, he said. Take it while you have the chance.

Arcturus slept for most of the next afternoon. I drowsed in bed with him, listening to the patter of rain on the roof.

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