“You aren’t, of that I’m sure,” I whisper. “I know there’s nothing you’re too afraid of, even if you yourself don’t believe that yet. It might take you a month or a century to trust me enough, but I’m patient. I’ll make every day another opportunity to prove to you I’m worthy of your trust, that I’m worthy to stand by your side. And even if you never accept the mating bond, I’ll still choose you. You can let that light swirl around your aether-heart for eternity. I’m not going anywhere.” The words are truer than she knows. Even if she accepts the bond, I’ll spend every day we’re together trying to be worthy of her, even if I never achieve it. Lunaria appears, rubbing her body against Laurel’s legs until she lets go of my hands and pets the massive cat. I laugh at the intrusion in such an intense moment, but it seems to calm Laurel, so I’m happy to let Lunaria into our space. “All I ask, Laurel, is that you don’t give up. That you keep chipping away at that stony exterior and let me in a little at a time. It doesn’t have to be every day, and you will inevitably put walls back up even as you drop others. But can you promise to give us a real chance?” I ask, holding my breath for her answer. She nods, and I release a sigh.

“Yes,” she says, breathy, like a confession. I can’t stop myself, and my lips crash onto hers. She meets my passionate embrace, wrapping her arms around me. I’m vaguely aware of Lunaria padding away, but my focus on Laurel is singular. I cup my hands under her ass and lift her, carrying her to the desk in the corner. With a blink, she removes everything from the top with magic, and I chuckle even as I continue my frantic kissing. I place her gently, so gently, on the desk. Then I rip open the top of her dress in one furious motion, exposing her perfect breasts.

The world around me disappears. I’ve imagined this moment, dreamed of exposing those perfectly blush nipples, so many times. But now that it’s finally here, I can’t believe I ever tried to construct the perfection in my mind. Nothing compares to reality, and an involuntary groan escapes me as I hold their weight in my hands. Laurel runs her fingers through my hair, and I bring my lips to her chest. I kiss my way across each breast, then suck one nipple into my mouth and bite down gently.