Page 306 of Elemental Becoming

“Your shields are down, Amara, darling.”

His voice is teasing, but I know the reminder isn’t casual. He wants it to become instinct. A habit so deeply ingrained that I never leave my mind unguarded again.

I let out a quiet sigh, recognizing how I’ve left the bond between us completely open. My fingers curl around his wrists.

“I know.”

It all feels like too much. The war. What’s coming. The battles we can’t yet see, the choices we’ll have to make. All of the people in my life that I have grown to love . . .

Who will I lose when this war becomes something more?

The thought grips me, sharp and unforgiving, because I know that nothing this big, nothing this dangerous, happens without loss.

And suddenly, I am so tired.

The war, the uncertainty, the fear of what is coming—it all seems to catch up to me at once. Without thinking, I let myself lean fully into Thane.

His arms tighten around me immediately, as though he expected it. As though he knew this moment would come eventually. For a few moments, I simply let him hold me. I let myself rest against him and borrow a little of his strength.

Thane lowers his head, his breath warm against my hair. “Are you okay?”

I swallow, my fingers curling into the fabric of his tunic.

“No,” I admit quietly. “But I will be.”

Thane’s hand glides through my hair in long, soothing strokes. I close my eyes for a moment, letting the tension ease from my shoulders.

Then the door swings open.

Valen stands in the doorway, looking far too entertained by what he finds.

“I got tired of waiting for you to knock.”

I laugh and shake my head, pulling away from Thane just enough to face him.

Of course. I’d almost forgotten about the wards Valen placed on his door to alert him the moment someone is at his door. His way of ensuring no one eavesdrops on his conversations.

I lift a brow at him. “You really couldn’t give us another minute?”

Valen offers an indulgent smile. “You’ve had plenty. Now, are you coming in, or should I leave you in the hallway?”

Thane chuckles and steps away, the warmth of his touchlingering even as he puts space between us.

“Good morning, Valen.”

“Hello, Thane,” Valen replies, his tone light.

Thane glances at me, his eyes lingering for a beat longer. “I’ll see you later today.”

Then, with a wink, he turns on his heel, striding away with the effortless confidence of a man who knows exactly who he is.

And gods help me, I watch him go. The way he moves—all power and precision, broad shoulders and that damn swagger—it makes me melt.

Valen clears his throat pointedly. I tear my eyes away, heat creeping up my neck as I face him.

He smiles politely. “Shall we?”

Gods bless him for not saying a single thing about my now-red face.