James would be so happy to see me smiling again, I thought, and the hammer-blow of grief didn't hit. I was sad, and wistful, and I would always, always miss him, but I was healing. Other things were growing to fill my life, like wildflowers in a burned forest.

"So is that a no on bargaining?" I asked, rubbing my fingers at the base of his ear.

"What's on offer?" Dain asked in reply. He shifted slightly, discomfort crossing his face, then returned to watching me. His thumb stroked across my ear once with casual gentleness, before his hand stilled again.

"I have no idea what to entice you with," I said. "Can you give me a hint?" Well, I had some ideas, but they weren't things for bargaining with. Dain would never want me to bribe him with kisses or love, and I would never do that to him. Anything he got from me, he would get freely, because I wanted to give it and because he wanted to accept.

"Stay with me until I'm healed," he said, that familiar fear of rejection coming into his face. "Sleep next to me and take care of me. If I can't protect myself, I can't bear to be alone."

"Dain, sweetheart, of course," I said with concern. "I was already going to be impossible to pry out of your rooms. They had to practically drag me kicking and screaming out of the hospital."

"I heard you yelling. You sounded very irate," he replied, with a soft huff that was probably as much as he could laugh without agonizing pain. "'Sweetheart'?"

"Yeah, yeah, doesn't fit your image, I know." I wrinkled my nose, smiling at him. "Can I feed you narcotics now?"

"Only if you promise to stay."

I leaned forward and kissed him, chaste and soft. Dain made a quiet sound, something like surprise and relief, and tilted his head towards me to press his mouth against mine. His hand moved to cup the back of my head, and his wing-arm settled hesitantly around me, holding me with care.

Gently, I broke the kiss, and rubbed my nose along his. "I promise, Dain. I'll stay with you and take care of you. I'm not going to leave you here to suffer alone." The double meaning of the words wasn't lost on me, and I knew they wouldn't be lost on a fae. But I knew in my bones that Dain would never force it on me, even if he could have. He'd claimed my year and a day, and I couldn't begrudge him the longing that had made him do it. I didn't think he'd make such a proclamation today.

"As you desire," he said, his voice rough. "Since you have promised to care for me, I am yours until these wounds are scars. Do with me what you will."

"Dangerous words, fae prince," I said, taking my hand off of his face so I could open the pill bottle.