A Strange and Stubborn Endurance (The Tithenai Chronicles #1)

by Foz Meadows

“Please, don’t.” Caethari shut his eyes, and I realised then that his tears were for more than just my survival. “Not yet. I can’t—right now, I just need to know that you’re well. That someone I love made it out of this undamaged.” My heart about stopped in my chest. “I’m someone you love?” Caethari laughed weakly. “I ought to hedge, I suppose, but yes. I’m too tired to lie. My sisters—” He broke off, raw pain in his eyes, before continuing, “—my sister will tell you, I’ve always been prone to falling fast, and you, Vel … I’ve been falling for you since the day you got here.” He inhaled sharply, looking away. “And I’m—I’m sorry if that’s too much, too soon, but I can’t—under the circumstances, I can’t bring myself t—” I reeled him in by the nape of the neck and kissed him. Not a deep kiss, as I lacked the energy, nor even open-mouthed, as I surely tasted terrible, but a lingering press, into which I put all the dizzying things Cae made me feel. “I can’t say it yet,” I whispered, when we finally broke apart. “I’m not—it doesn’t come easy to me, but I think—I feel—if you give me time—” “Take all the time you need,” Cae rasped, and pressed a kiss to my forehead. His lips were dry and cool, and if I felt a tear or two slip into my hairline, I didn’t remark upon it.