He frowned at her. “We’re not friends.”
She snickered, giving him a look like he’d just said something foolish. “You don’t think so?”
“It’s not a word I would use.”
She laughed, shaking her head. “Okay. Let’s go with that for now. So, if you’re not friends, what are you?”
He thought about it for a moment before saying, “A gang. I suppose.”
“That’s what you’d be on Rik-Vane. Is that what you are here?”
“No. We’re a crew out here. We’re closer than family, in that way. Trust is hard won, but we have it amongst each other. That’s not something we will ever surrender. They’ve been following me because I gave them promises that I’ve always kept. And we remain together because we are the only ones we know we can trust. In a way, they’re dependent on me. But I am also dependent on them. I need them to keep our freedom. And they’re relying on me to guide them into our future.”
“Your future?”
“Yes.” He reached up, stroking her face. “My future.”
She leaned into his touch, barely smiling. “You’ve come a long way, huh?”
“Doesn’t seem far enough sometimes.” He brushed his fingers back through her hair. So soft. “But yes. I think we’ve risen far enough above it that we can have more.”
“Like what?”
“Like a mate.” He ran a hand down her chest, pressing against her heart. “Like young.” He kept going, pressing his hand against her belly.
“Tanin…” She shivered but leaned into his touch. “You… I mean, do you really want me?”
“You’re asking this now?” He asked, smirking.
“You know what I mean,” she chuckled, cheeks delightfully pink. “I mean, permanently. You’re asking me for forever, aren’t you?”
“I’m not one to go back on my word. If I make a commitment, I stick to it. I’ve decided I want you.”
Chapter 36
Garnet
“But- But-!” Garnet stuttered, nerves twisting up in her belly. “It might not be us, right? We might not actually be mates. Your people dance and the bond only forms if it’s meant to.”
“True.”
“So, it’s possible we’re not meant to be mates!”
“I suppose.”
She sputtered. “How can you be so calm about that? You’re trying to mate me and it could fail and you’re just like, meh. That’s not a big deal to you?”
“No. Not really.”
Garnet leaned back, staring at him. As always, Tanin was so calm and self-assured. Like it really didn’t bother him at all that this could be a mistake. He was still looking at her with that determined, untouchable gaze. The one that made delighted shivers run up and down her spine.
“Why?” She asked on a whisper.
“Because I don’t care about my true mate. Never have. I wantyou. You’re the one I chose. You’re the one that makes me want more. If I dance for you, and you don’t dance back, or even if you do and no bond is formed, that’s fine. I don’t rightfully care. Because I’ve already made my choice, and it’s you. It’s always going to be you.”
“Tanin.” She bit her lip, belly swooping in delight. “But if I’m not your mate, then she could still show up one day. Right?”
“I’m not dancing for anyone but you.”
