Teeth »ᴄɵᴍᴘᴌᴇтᴇ«

SEVENTEEN

SEVENTEEN

In the morning, I woke to the feel of being curled on Zane, my head on his chest, his head on mine, and one of my legs being used as a pillow by Archie. Lifting my head enough so that I didn't disturb Zane, I saw Lucas sitting next to Archie, his head on Ryan's shoulder and a hand on Archie, as though he couldn't bare separation, even in sleep. Taylor was the same as Lucas on Ryan's other side. Ryan's head was settled on top of Taylor's.

Managing to free my leg from Archie, who grumbled, then curled up like the cat he was. I slipped from Zane's lap and moved over to the glowing television that was still on. Either one of them had feel asleep recently and had pressed a button on the television, or no-one had set the sleep timer. Taking the DVD out and putting it in it's case, I unplugged the cables. Once the room was dark, I moved over to the window.

Briefly, I wondered whether or not the doctor – a golden eagle winged shield – could fly as he had wings. If he could, I wondered what it felt like. Feeling the wind brush against the wings in flight. Flying. Somewhere. Nowhere. To freedom. To a place where you didn't have to care about anyone but yourself. To a place where pain was a distant memory.

I didn't realise how lost in thought I'd been until familiar arms circled my waist. Zane. Leaning back against him, I relaxed. It felt strange because it no longer felt strange, that I knew I could lean on someone, without them pushing me away.

"Zane?"

"Um?"

"Do you still want me to be your shield?"

There was no hesitation when he responded. "Yes."

"Even after all this? Why?"

"Because your the strongest willed person I've ever met. You don't give up. You protect those you see as your friends. You don't run. No matter the cost, you don't run, Val. You took the abuse from your mum just to keep her alive. I've never known anyone who'd do that. Especially from such a young age." He fell silent for a moment. "And I love you, Valerie. I've fallen so God damn hard I'll never get out. And I don't want to." He paused. "No matter how much you fight me, I refuse to let go."

Turning in his arms, I looked up and saw that he meant everything he'd just said.

"I've given you my heart, Zane. I did a while ago. I just... being bound to someone for life. To someone I've just met? It was a big leap of trust, Zane."

"I know. And I'm not forcing you to bond with me."

I smirked at him. "I am." I felt my expression turn serious. "Bond with me, Zane."

A blue fire lit in his eyes. Relief, joy, and peace showed on his face. He didn't have to lean down far as he was only an inch taller than me. Cupping my face, his lips touched mine. I moaned at the taste of him. Opening for him, he kissed me with a flame that I met with my own. The darkness around us was suddenly pierced with light. It surrounded us. Melded us together. Entwining our souls, our minds. Emotions poured through the newborn bond. Love. Protection. Hope. Confidence. Joy. Peace. All for me from Zane.

From Zane Dare. My blade.

Pulling apart. Everything seemed... different. Clearer. Sharper. Calmer. I sorted through what I was feeling and I realised that the bond had... helped me accept. Zane had helped me accept things I couldn't, or, wouldn't have accepted before. I felt a joy, a happiness at being bound to Zane.

Zane's eyes were kind as he looked at me.

"Turn out da lights!" Archie's sleepy voice knocked me out of the cloud I'd been sitting on and back to earth.

Zane moved so that we could both see the others.

"I think the whole damn school will know that you two have bound," Ryan grumbled.

I felt confused, yet a joy at what Ryan said. But I knew the joy wasn't my own because I hadn't understood what Ryan had said. "We can feel each other's emotions?"

Zane looked at me as he realised what I'd said. Shock came through the bond. "Wow. Not many can feel their partner's emotions through the bond."

"Do you feel mine?"

"I'm not sure. But it's new and needs time to grow before I can be sure."

I nodded that I understood then turned to Ryan. "What did you mean?"

"About what? That the whole school will have known you two have bonded?" When I nodded, he continued. "You two glowed so bright I'm surprised I can see."

We glowed?

I guess we did.

I frowned at Zane in question. "Telepathy?"

It's a common thing between partners.

Huh. Useful.

Zane grinned. A grin that spoke of many things.

Lucas, Archie, and Taylor soon woke with Ryan moaning about them being able to sleep while Zane and I glowed like a lantern in the pitch black.

For breakfast, we ate some of the éclairs that the old bear shield had sent previously. Ten minutes after breakfast, the doctor entered the room.

"How are you feeling today, Valerie?"

"Fine."

Fine? That's it? Zane asked.

I couldn't think of anything else to say. I glared at Zane before turning my attention back to the doctor. "Right now is the best I've felt since... ever."

The doctor blinked at me. "You've bonded?"

"To Zane."

He looked at Zane before returning his golden-brown eyes back to me. "Would you like to return to school?"

"Yes."

I can't believe you mean that.

Are you going to talk inside my head whenever you can?

Yep.

I rolled my eyes. "I'll be bored as hell in here by myself."

"What?"

Archie closed and opened his mouth a couple of times before responding. "Since when do you explain things?"

Since I bonded with him. Mentally I thought of Zane.

"Hey!"

The room turned to look at Zane at his outburst.

"What?"

"Their definitely bonded," Taylor said on a "here we go again" sigh.

When I frowned at Taylor's back, Zane spoke to me.

My twin and Archie drove Taylor close to insanity when they first bonded.

Why?

Because they kept talking both in their heads and out loud. Taylor had to guess half the things they said to be able to follow their conversation.

Ah.

"As long as you stay with Zane, I have no problem with letting you out," the doctor said.

"Thank you."

"Well, you better start getting ready, it's eleven-fifteen."

   

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