Page 98 of Volik

Just a moment ago, I nearly cried thinking about how lonely he’s probably been. And now I’m about to cry thinking about how lonely I have been.

“I would like that. Eating birthday dessert together.”

He looks like he wants to press more, but he doesn’t. And I’m glad, because I don’t want to talk about my family right now. “We will do it every year.”

One tear breaks free, sliding down my cheek.

Volik swallows. “I do not like your tears.”

A small laugh bubbles out of me.

“I am not joking.”

I exhale my sadness. “I know. It was just… cute.”

Volik pulls his head back with the most confused expression on his face. And I refuse to let it make me sad that no one has ever called him cute before. Because now I can.

“How many languages can you speak?”

“Lots.” Volik shrugs. “What did it feel like at 12:07?”

“Like…” I close my eyes, trying to remember. “Like something hit me in the chest, but not in a bad way. It was… hot. It felt like my body was filling with lava. And then…” I open my eyes. “I could feel you. It felt like a rope was tied around my body, pulling me forward. I didn’t understand. I mean, I still don’t really understand. But as soon as I saw you…When you stepped into my building… I knew you were who I was trying to find.”

My heartbeat quickens. His quickens. And Volik wraps his arms around me, pulling me tight against his chest.

I lean my head on his shoulder, feeling his rumble.

This is his happy sound.

Volik nuzzles his cheek against my hair. “I have waited so long for you.” He kisses my hair. “No. No more crying.”

“I’m not,” I lie as a tear drips onto his shoulder.

“My mate is perfect.” He sighs. “Except she is a liar.”

I grin against his warmth. “Is there a reason you talk so formally?”

“What do you mean?”

“Just how you say things.”

He rubs his cheek against my hair again. “How do I say things?”

“I think it’s that you don’t use contractions.”

The hand stroking up my back pauses, then continues its path. “I use contractions.”

I shake my head against him. “I’ve never heard you use one.”

“That… Hmm.” My lips pull into a smile as I hear him realize it. “I think in contractions.”

“You think in them?”

“Da. In my mind.”

“Like when you’re thinking?”

“Da.” His hand slides back down my spine. “I don’t know why I do that. Maybe because I don’t talk out loud much.”