Page 14 of Messy AF
While I knew little about what being mated to a shadeling entailed, I understood that much.
“And I’m yours.”
Smiling, I settled against him again, secure in the knowledge that I was right where I had always been meant to be.
six
~ Warren ~
Aswemovedintoa new week, the skies finally cleared, the sun warm and inviting, beckoning people out of their homes.
“Are you sure about this?” Standing in the entryway, Tobi tugged nervously at the hem of his heather gray tee. “Maybe it’s not a good idea.”
“Angel, you haven’t left the house in two weeks. This is definitely a good idea.”
The effects of the sleeping potion lingered, episodes of dizziness and fainting still daily occurrences. Worse, strong emotions seemed to trigger the symptoms more often, especially anything that elevated his heart rate, which made even a chaste kiss feel risky.
I didn’t care. Just being close to him was enough, and I’d wait as long as it took for the side effects to dissipate.
With that said, I understood my mate’s reluctance to venture out into the world. Even something as ordinary as steppinginto the front yard probably seemed like a big ask right now. I didn’t plan to overwhelm him, though, or cause any accidental embarrassment.
I only wanted to give him a moment of normalcy.
“Yeah, but still. What if I pass out or something?”
“We’re just going for a walk by the lake,” I reminded him. “I’ll be right beside you the whole time, and I won’t—”
“Let anything happen to me,” he recited, a sweet smile stretching his lips. “I know.”
His steadfast trust in me never failed to make my chest swell and my heart beat a little faster.
“Then let’s go.” I held my hand out and waited, giving him a lopsided grin when he took it and linked our fingers together.
Outside, the earth still smelled slightly damp, and though the temperatures had turned mild as night approached, the humidity hung thick in the air. If I had planned our excursion right, we should be able to catch the sunset over Bliss Lake, but with plenty of time left to enjoy the daylight.
Hand in hand, we strode to the end of the block in comfortable silence before crossing the street to the paved trail that led down to the lake. We passed a few of Tobi’s neighbors on the way, greeting them with smiles and waves, and with each interaction, he relaxed a little more.
A small park abutted the lake, the soggy field empty, though a couple of families with small children gathered near the playground. I spotted a few people in the distance, but otherwise, the walking paths that encircled the water’s edge appeared largely unoccupied at that time of day.
Without an audience for any potential mishaps, I hoped Tobi would be able to enjoy himself without worrying too much.
Stepping onto the concrete path, I directed his attention to the lake, to a family of ducks floating near the shoreline. In turn, hepointed out the dragonflies that wheeled over the water, their wings glinting in the sunlight.
Tobi laughed, the sound radiant and almost musical. He looked freer than I had seen him all week, and it eased something inside me to witness him so relaxed and happy.
We continued along the trail, our pace lazy, our footsteps in sync. When we spoke, we kept mostly to easy topics, like his work or upcoming events around the city.
Occasionally, I glanced sideways, checking for signs of fatigue or dizziness. And every time, he would squeeze my hand, just once, in silent reassurance.
As we crested a hill on the east side of the lake, we stepped off the trail and paused to take in the view below. The glass surface of the lake mirrored the sky, reflecting streaks of rose and gold as the sun sank closer to the horizon. Trees danced softly in the breeze, their canopies aglow with the last rays of daylight.
The distant sound of conversation and laughter faded, replaced by the nocturnal symphony of croaking frogs and chirping crickets. A mockingbird sang from a nearby branch, though it sounded like a car alarm rather than anything remotely melodic.
Other small creatures began to emerge, beginning their nightly routines around the lakeside. Like the muskrat that slipped into the reeds, or the ripple of silver minnows that flickered just below the surface of the water.
A warm breeze ruffled my hair, carrying with it the scent of moss and wildflowers. I smiled when Tobi leaned in at my shoulder with a satisfied sigh, loving how easily and naturally he showed affection.
In those last, lingering moments of daylight, everything felt peaceful and perfect, soothing the anxieties of the week and replacing them with cautious anticipation.
