He opens his mouth, shocked.
"Sylviana?"
"...Do you have other exes I should know about?" I frown.
He closes his mouth right away.
"Nope. But... what... I mean how...?"
"It wasn't really her, to be honest. The curse took her appearance to confuse me..."
"Mara, what happened?"
He puts his hand around my nape, he can tell I'm not okay. Oh, what the hell, why do I feel like crying now? I’ve been crying so much these days, but shit, she really got to me. As soon as I'm about to open my mouth, I feel the tears coming. I try to take several deep breaths, I don't want to cry, I don't want to cry...
"Hey, babe, it's me, okay?" he whispers gently. "Just me. Let it out. I'll listen."
Liam gently kisses my forehead, my temples, my cheek, and the wall breaks. I start crying. I'm exhausted, I feel like crap, and I'm completely messed up inside. I've had two fucking rough days and I just need a break from this whole mess. I hate that I'm letting everything she said go to my head. I don't want to. I thought I was stronger, but... damn, I have insecurities too.
"She... I mean the curse, it just... called me a thief..."
"A thief?"
I nod, sobbing silently.
"That I don't... have anything that's really mine, or... me... Clarissa's body, her f-family... l-little Mara's powers... even you... You're not really my mate, and–"
"Okay, okay, Mara, stop right there. Babe, look at me."
I make an effort to raise my eyes from my cup, and look Liam right in the eyes. This time, he looks dead serious and cups my cheeks in his hands.
"Mara, you're my mate," he says. "Alright? Don't let any curse or any bullshit magic tell you otherwise. I don't give a damn about your body, your family, your magic, or whatever. You're my mate, my Mara."
"But–"
"No buts," he growls. "Mara, it's not aboutanyof those things, okay? I love this Mara, the one that's right in front of me right now. The Mara that is one hell of a badass witch one day, and a sexy student chick I can pick up after her classes the next. I love how you are with your friends, with my family... our family, and even how you care for your weird magic cat. I like that you're fine with my stupid noodles and hot chocolates. I like that you can threaten to burn my ass when you're jealous, and when you're a brat who tries to steal my bike... Okay? I love this Mara, the girl I saw on the dance floor, who chased me to the border and got trapped in a downpour with me."
I smile. I didn't realize how many memories we already have together... Liam smiles too, and kisses my cheek quickly.
"I love how cute you are when you cry, when you smile, and even that stupid habit of yours to bite your thumb when you're hesitating or stressed. When you make efforts to dress up or try makeup, and when you're as dorky as your friend too. That's my Mara. You're stubborn and reckless as hell, you always have so many questions, no one can keep up with you, and you're crazy enough to jump from a building to save everybody but yourself."
Now I'm getting shy, but Liam isn't done. He smiles again, and kisses my other cheek.
"There's no other Mara like that, okay? I don't care about what name you want to use, or how you came to be, okay? I... like the parts of you that make you Mara. Your crazy magic stuff I can't keep up with, but that's fine with me. Your body too, I don't care if it's borrowed or whatever, I'm glad you got one that functions well. I could tell when it wasn't you, couldn’t I?"
"It took you long enough..."
"Hey, that body is still hot, for the record, and I didn't know there was a soul-swapping option on it."
This time, I can't help but chuckle at his half-offended, half-annoyed expression. However, he soon sighs and puts his forehead against mine.
"Mara, if there's only one thing in this world you can trust, it's me, remember? You said you needed our fated mate bond. I need it too. You healed something in me, Mara. I didn't think I could bounce back after what happened two years ago, but... you happened, and things changed again."
"...Really?" I mumble.
"Yes, babe."
He comes in to kiss me. It's one very sweet kiss, with a chocolate taste, and it's so good. Our lips are so gentle, it's almost too tame compared to our usual kisses. Still, it makes me feel a lot better. Liam is being extra gentle on purpose, and rubbing my wet cheek with his thumb. When we separate, I'm done crying and have a bit of a smile on, while his goes from ear to ear.
