Page 47 of Moonless

“You don’t have to let me go down the slope.”

His head lowers a little.

“Just the stone, Rauk. You can keep hold of my hand.”

I tie the second wrap and stand. He stays at the hearth as I walk over, his eyes following my feet.

“A few minutes. While there’s still light.” I hold out my right hand.

His fingers lift toward it. I wait, close enough for him to take it without reaching.

“Please.”

He looks toward the passage. His weight shifts forward, and I turn to leave him room beside me.

We could go now. He could slide the slab aside while I wait behind him, and I could stand at the mouth and breathe with the sky over my head. His fingers brush mine.

Then his hand lowers.

“No.”

I look down at the place I’ve made for him.

He stays where he is until I turn back. His mouth is partly open, the upper fangs showing against his lip, and his next breath moves the loose hair beside my face.

“That’s your answer.” I close my empty hand.

“Yes.”

I could ask again. I know exactly what he’ll say.

I put my right hand against the side of his neck.

He watches me, bending when I draw him closer. I lift my face and kiss him.

His mouth moves against mine, and he cups the back of my head. The points of his claws stay clear of my neck. I step closer, keeping my injured arm between us, and for a moment he lets me.

I haven’t got another request. I just want him to keep kissing me.

He pulls away.

My hand is still in the fur behind his ear. He reaches up and lifts it free, holding it between us until I lower my arm.

Then he lets go.

“Rauk?”

His ears fold back. He looks at the bandage above my collar, then turns toward the hearth.

I stand where he left me while he fills my supper bowl. He puts it beside the pallet, moves the cup within reach, and takes the water pot into the inner passage.

I listen until I can’t hear him anymore.

He did that in the forest too. He looked at the blood, stopped answering me, and carried me back with his eyes on everything except my face.

My shoulder is dry tonight.

I touch the bandage anyway, pressing just hard enough to hurt. My fingers come away clean.