Mari's Mistake (Icehome, #10)

by Ruby Dixon

I don’t know if I can relax, so I think about T’chai. I think about the smile he made when we first resonated, as if he’d been given the world’s greatest gift. I think about him grimacing as he ate the fish head, the rueful expression on his face. I think about how he looked when we first kissed. His sleepy expression when he was feeling relaxed and drowsy. His proud stance as he fished, his tail utterly still, back straight…and those two fascinating dimples that showed up just above his backside when he did. I think of the beautiful sound of his laugh. Of the tender expression on his face as he changed camouflage colors to match my skin. I think of the way he looked at me as we made love. I think of the determined, resigned expression on his face as the sky-claw attacked him. He didn’t expect to live. He wanted to give his life to keep mine safe. I can turn off resonance for that man. So I remain calm and float in the darkness, waiting to feel it. Waiting to feel…something. Some sort of tearing, or a feeling of loss. “I think that’s it.” Veronica’s voice sounds as if it comes from very far away. I slowly open my eyes, and as I do, I notice the room is quiet. My fingers tingle with blood flow, but I no longer ache all over. I don’t have that awful, nervous edge eating at me.