“It’s only the best pizza ever,” I said as I reached the main floor.

Nikolas’s eyes found mine. I like seeing you this happy.

I like seeing you. I gave him a little smile that made his eyes change to that smoky gray color I loved.

“Okay, Gino’s it is,” Roland declared. “Does everyone like lots of meat on their pizza?”

“Duh,” Jordan and I said together.

Nikolas came over to me as the others discussed pizza toppings and beer. “Want to take a walk with me before dinner? I hear the wharves are empty this time of day.”

We both smiled at his reference to our first walk together. I grabbed my coat, scarf, and gloves because March weather in Maine is no joke. Telling the others we’d be back in time for dinner, we set out.

It was close to sunset and the air was frosty on the quiet waterfront. I hooked my arm through Nikolas’s as we walked toward the wharves. Memories of my old life surrounded me. I had a new home now, but this place would always hold a special place in my heart.

An icy wind buffeted us when we reached the wharf, and Nikolas wrapped an arm around me. “Are you cold? We can go back.”

“I’m good.”

We didn’t talk much as we walked the length of the wharf, just like when he joined me at Westhorne for my daily walks with Hugo and Woolf. Sometimes, just being together was enough and no words were needed between us.

At the end of the wharf, we stopped and he drew me back against him so he was blocking the wind. He wrapped his arms around me, and we watched the sun set the bay on fire as it sank below the horizon.

I leaned into his warmth. “Remember the last time we stood in this spot?”

He pressed his lips against my hair. “I’ll never forget that day. You looked so lost after our talk, and I didn’t know how to make it easier for you. I wondered if I should have sent someone else to talk to you. I had no experience with orphans before you.”

“So I’ve heard. If it makes you feel better, no one could have broken that news to me in any way that I would have accepted it easier.” I hugged his arms. “I’m glad it was you.”

“You say that now.”

I laughed softly. “Would you really have sent another warrior to talk to me?”

“No. I couldn’t let anyone else come to you, not when I knew what you were to me. In Portland, you didn’t show any sign that you felt anything between us. I needed to see you again to be sure of the bond.” He pulled me closer. “When I pushed against the bond, I felt your Mori respond, and I could see it in your eyes.”

I turned in his arms and gazed up at him. “My poor warrior. I didn’t make it easy for you, did I?”

He kissed my forehead. “I laid some heavy things on you all at once, so I knew it was going to take some time for you to accept it. I could have handled it better, too.”

“Tell the truth. I was a total brat.”

“Well, if you really want me to be honest...”

I smacked his chest and he smiled. “You have no idea how hard it was to ride away from you that day when you refused to leave. My Mori wasn’t happy either. It wanted me to throw you over my shoulder and make you come with us.”

I raised an eyebrow at the image that conjured. “And what did you want?”

His eyes sparkled with laughter. “I wanted to find the nearest bar and drink until I forgot a certain orphan with bewitching green eyes. I kept telling myself it was my Mori who wanted you, but the truth was, I noticed you before my demon did, and I wanted to see you again.”

Warmth pooled in my stomach. “Would you do it differently now?”

“Yes.”

“What would you do?”

“I’d do this.”

I squealed as he swung me up over his shoulder and started striding back toward the waterfront. “Nikolas, put me down, you big lug!” I yelled through my laughter.

He patted my backside. “This time my Mori and I are in complete agreement.”

“You do know I can zap your warrior ass, right?” I squirmed and he held me tighter.

His deep laugh warmed me to my toes. “But you won’t.”

“How do you know?”

“Because you like me... a lot.”

I stopped wriggling and started grinning like a fool. What could I say? He was right.

~ The End ~