Oath of the Hunter

22 - Peace Made Manifest

Rowan

I lie awake, a beaming smile tugging relentlessly at my lips even despite the frankly traumatising evening. River's words echo in my head, whispers that caress and promise, that keep my smile from fading even as time slides away.

He told me he loves me.

Since the moment I met him and realised who he was to me, I've known this fated path would be a long and difficult one for him. I know how he grew up— taught to hate my kind. I know he was raised to be wary and mistrusting and suspicious above all else. I know every shred of acceptance is a hard-won battle between his instincts.

Despite this, despite every Ferreus instinct in his body recoiling at the thought of being fated to someone like me, he hasn't given in to them. He's taken slow, steady steps — acting cautiously yet devoutly — to meet me halfway. I vowed to him, again and again, that I would never force my affections onto him, or force him into any decision when it comes to our bond. I'm elated with whatever he gives me, because I know how much it has taken for him to give it. I vowed to myself that, if the time comes where he tells me of his own affections, I would have done enough to deserve it.

He could have ran the moment I told him. He could have disappeared and never looked back. The very fact he has chosen to stay, to explore this connection between us at a pace that suits him, is more than I could've ever asked of him. I savour every drop of his affections. Every lingering look, every shuffle into my embrace in the dead of night, every twitch of a smile, every time his hand seeks mine beneath the table in my office, every proposal he makes to ensure our pack's safety. I've felt his devotion in every action, and it has been perfect.

But to hear him say those words, tired eyes ablaze with fierce honesty, is like a surge of sunlight breaching a wall of dark clouds. It feels like belonging. He loves me, and I love him, and we're going to be okay.

So long as morning, with its arms full of worries and threats and dangers, stays well back.

I think of his admission, just now. He's ready for more. He's ready to complete the bond with me. Bliss sighs through my veins; a crystal ocean of gentle, lapping waves. How I've longed to hear those words over these past few weeks, to know that he's willing to take that final step and shove aside that lingering wariness.

I savour the tranquillity of him in my arms. He's fallen somewhere deep, his form melted against me, his head on my chest rising and falling with every breath I take. His wounds are already healing, thank the Goddess. My fingers card gently, idly, through his tousled hair as his soft, deep breaths align with mine.

Peace made manifest.

– ➶ –

A buzzing sound startles me to clarity. My eyes snap open to the glare of morning, its hands splayed on the window, doing all it can to breach the curtains. Muted light floods the room, creeping ever closer, and I can make out the muffled song of birds and the insistent tap of raindrops.

As I go to stretch, blinking the sleep that crept up on me from my eyes, I realise almost immediately that I cannot move. Bliss, like a fire spark, lights up my mood.

River is still curled up against me, fast asleep, and moving would disturb him. A fond smile tugs at my lips. Usually, he's restless at night. Always shuffling into my arms and back out again, warring natures battling for his attention.

He's moved a little, but only to sink further, to splay his hand against my chest, to hook his leg over mine, to align himself entirely against me. His breaths are deep and even, quiet as rustling leaves. He must be exhausted. Perhaps his Haze has used up all of his energy to heal him, or perhaps it's all those sleepless nights catching up to him at once. Whatever the reason, I settle into his hold, resume idly playing with his soft hair, and cast my eyes across the room for the source of the disturbance.