Bonded

Chapter Fifty Three

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India

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"What do you mean we are not afraid of anything, dear India?" my face flushes as Kavya answers the question I had not realized I had spoken out loud... My flush causing my strong suitor's eyes to soften just that much more as he gazes at me... Ronin doing very much the same as Kavya continues, "We are afraid of many things, Love... Including losing you... Someone we have started to care so deeply for..."

I do not even know how to make my mouth form words at the thought of the two strong soldiers standing before me... Being afraid to lose me...

When this whole time they were missing and resting I had been so fearful that I had possibly lost them... And it causes a swelling in my heart to know that they feel very much the same as I do... The way they both are looking at me currently causing my heart to flutter as Jian insists that they sit down and join us instead of just standing before us...

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Ronin

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Seeing India at a loss for words causes a pounding in my chest like no other... But there is no denying that he is special to us... Or that the mere thought of losing a chance to have this wonderful scholar join us in marriage and in life actually...

Terrifies me...

It has something to do with how precious and gentle he is... How much he seems to soothe both Kavya and me with just a simple smile or look... Being near him and with him makes both parts of my soul feel as if I am flying, even unshifted with my dragon sleeping inside of me...

He makes me feel protective of him... And the feelings of affection he inspires are unmatched by everyone apart from our Kavya, the two of them combined causing a welcome tightening in my chest that I pray never fades... So much of our time together is so short in the long run of things...

But so very cherished...

And as we make ourselves comfortable at the table covered in scrolls to be studied, I cannot help but agree with Kavya that the thought of losing India bothers me in a way I do not have proper words for...

Kavya had been right...

Of course, India would not be swayed by us needing some time apart... Because occasionally everyone does... He's so intelligent... And very clearly cares for us in the same way that one would hope for when wanting to marry...

The same way we care about him...

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Kavya

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"It... I would not have thought the two of you to be afraid of anything... You both seem so strong... Stronger than me anyhow... And I have perhaps too many fears..." India, when he finally collects enough words to respond... As if his deep flush and averted eyes were not telling enough that he had been moved into thoughtfulness by my words...

"We fear things just as much as the next pair of shifters, Beautiful..." when Ronin speaks it is with a quiet confidence that makes my hand seek out his as we get comfortable... The other hand wanting so badly to reach across the table and hold India's hand as we discuss such a sensitive topic... And in front of a chaperone no less...Not that I think Jian minds very much... Not with the way he seems so content to watch over us... Watching his dear friend fall in love something he may have been waiting for..., "For example... I fear losing Kavya in the line of duty... It would break me... Just the same as how losing you would break me... Though at a different intensity level with everything between us being so new... My soul feels as if it would wither if I lost either of you..."

Hearing Ronin be so honest and open about how much he cares for us moves my soul and I very much wish I could lean into him and kiss his lovely mouth in a way that some might find indecent in such a public place... But I know even if no one is really in here but us... Anyone could walk by and I do not wish for us to be reported... Or worse... For news of our passion to make its way towards the elder scholars and we get asked to drop our pursuit of India...

Something that would crush us both... So I settle with giving his weathered palm a squeeze which he quickly returns...

"You really feel that way? About me? Already?" India's voice shivers and shakes as he speaks... His eyes leaving the scroll he has been staring at in his shyness so that he might return our gaze and know that we are being truthful with him... Our souls being exposed so that he might have a good long look...

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