I couldn’t tell if it was tears or rain that washed down her cheeks in a rhythmic manner. I didn’t know what to say, so I reached out and held her hand.
The rest of her time was spent in the ocean, or trying to adjust to First World: she hated the clothes and the food. In fact, most of First World’s food made her sick; it was far too rich and fatty compared to what she had survived on previously. Although Josian assured her she should eventually be able to eat anything, right now I think she was basically eating quant, the sweet pink fruit I loved. Its juice was the closest thing she could find to Spurn’s cucreamer.
On the third morning I made my way down the hall. Pausing at her door, I rapped my knuckles lightly against the wood. I wasn’t surprised that once again there was no answer. I understood her need to mourn, but I was at a loss about the correct etiquette. Should I leave her alone or offer comfort?
“Hey, Abbs, trying to find Talli?” I turned to see Lucy sauntering out of her room, which was ten feet from Talina’s.
“Yeah, but as usual she isn’t answering me,” I said.
As I examined Lucy, I wondered what was up with her uncharacteristically disheveled appearance. Her blond curls were everywhere, and I was pretty sure her shirt was buttoned up wrong, which was very unlike my fashionable friend.
“I saw her just before, out my window. She was making her way to the ocean.” She had started running her hands through her hair in an attempt to tame it.
“What’ve you been doing?” I had to ask.
“What do you mean?” Lucy said, guarded.
“You don’t keep secrets from me, Luce. Aren’t you the one that says ‘life is for sharing’?”
She laughed a little, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes.
“I’m not secretive, Abigail. I’m just trying to be a good guest and allow everyone to settle in before indulging my need to share,” she said.
And then suddenly all was explained as Samuel strode out of her room.
“Aribella.” He looked uncomfortable as he squeezed past.
I waited until he’d almost cleared the hall before I faced Lucy. Her smug expression told me everything, and I really should have guessed.
“So I’m guessing the underwear plan worked.”
I felt kind of annoyed and couldn’t figure out why. Maybe it was that Lucy seemed to be moving so fast. I didn’t want my friend to change too much before me.
Chuckling, she watched Samuel’s broad shoulders until he was no longer visible. “Actually, no, he’s staying adamant that we be properly mated before that.”
I hadn’t expected that answer.
“So, I assume you’re planning to hold the ceremony tomorrow?”
Lucy’s lack of patience was as legendary as my own.
“Word, Abbs.” She winked. “But ... actually I am enjoying the practice and prelude more than you can imagine. Samuel’s skills are numerous.” She trailed off.
I covered my ears and hummed, before sighing as I dropped my arms back down. “I knew I’d regret asking. Oh, and your shirt is buttoned wrong.”
“I’ve missed you.” She linked her arm through mine, not even bothering to glance down.
Must be love. No way would she be this disheveled in public otherwise. I gave her a squeeze. I’d missed her too. We had gone from spending most of our time together on Earth to being so busy we regularly had to make time to catch up on each other’s lives.
“Where’s Brace?” she asked as we made our way downstairs to the main living area and slouched into the soft couches.
I slanted my right brow in her direction. Her tone was mildly sarcastic.
She smirked. “It’s just odd not seeing him attached to you.”
I bristled. “I’m still my own person.”
She held a hand up in mock surrender. “I didn’t mean anything. And it’s not like I can talk. I understand this mating bond thing. You have no idea.” She looked curious now. “And Sammy explained that it will be a hundred times stronger for you two being Walkers.”
It had been coming for days. Her words acted like a catalyst and all of my suppressed emotions suddenly burst free. But instead of words all that emerged was this crazy kind of screech. A long, loud scream that stole the breath from my lungs. Lucy jumped at least a foot off the chair, her face a picture of astonishment. And then the words started to spew from my mouth in a manner usually reserved for lunatics and … Lucy.
“I cannot breathe without him. He’s off now, something to do with leading his father astray, so he’s too busy to search for me. And I literally ache.” I stared at my hands. “This isn’t what I wanted. It’s too much, too big. He’s slowly becoming my everything. I don’t have the type of life that’s gentle with someone’s everything.”
I fought against the unease that was always present when Brace wasn’t close. And at this distance our bond was sporadic, kicking in sometimes while at other times I felt all alone.