[This post is from Marin’s point of view.]
He stayed quiet after that for a long time and I let him have his peace, let him at least try to settle himself, to focus again. Thom rested his cheek against my hair, shifting one arm so he could gently stroke baby Lin’s hair as he stared down at the infant nestled in the sling across my chest.
“It’s my job to protect both of you,” he murmured. His breath was warm against my temple. “That’s a promise I made to myself and it’s one I have to find a way to keep.”
I rubbed his back gently. “You’ve already been keeping it. We’re fine—and we’re going to stay that way.”
“I just don’t know how.”
I kissed his jaw. “Well, how about you start by not giving yourself an ulcer?”
Thom blinked, drawing back slightly to meet my gaze. I shot him a crooked smile and he started to laugh.
“All right,” he said. “We can start there—or at least we can try.”
“Good.” I gave him another squeeze before I let go. “Were you looking for me?”
“A little bit,” he admitted. “I just—sometimes I—”
“I know.” I kissed him gently again. “But I’m fine. We’re fine. I was sitting with Hecate for a while and now I’m looking for Jay because I think he probably needs to check on her.”
Thom exhaled, looking away. He stared at the trees of the ravine for a long moment, his lips thinning. “You really think we can trust her?”
“After what she did to save us? After what my brother did? Absolutely.” I ran my hand up and down his arm. “She really does love him, Thom. It’s not like it was with his ex. This is real and I’m pretty sure it’s something that was absolutely meant to be.” I squeezed his arm and went to move past him, to head up the hill.
“Have you seen something?” Thom asked quietly. I paused, turning back.
“Does it matter?”
He held my gaze for a few long moments before he closed his eyes and shook his head.
I nodded and headed up the hill.
