“…It’s not your fault. Focus on recovery over worry.”
“I will… I’m going back to work as soon as I get better,” she declared, the strength returning to her voice again.
“Back to those gerbils?”
“Back to my gerbils.”
“That’s just like ya. Take it easy for the time bein’.”
“…Don’t wanna.”
Wind blew in through the open window and tousled the Beast Blood’s hair. Comfortable silence settled over them.
“…I’m sorry,” he said, breaking the quiet.
“What for?”
“I said I’d protect you and look how you ended up.”
“Alive is how I ended up. You fought for me.”
“Little good that did. You were kidnapped, hurt, and nearly killed. I didn’t even avenge Manuela… If he hadn’t thrown that spike, you may have died. I didn’t do nothin’ in the end.”
“Zel…that’s not true. From the beginning, you have protected me with everything you have,” Euphemia reassured, holding his hands in hers.
“I’m still just a punk kid,” he lamented. “Everybody says so. But I never understood. I’m just like a kid who still has a lot to learn… I was overreachin’, thinking I could protect ya.”
“I love you the way you are, Zel. I don’t care what others say. We never stop growing as people.” Euphemia reached out with the arm hooked to the IV. She stroked his cheek. He didn’t reject her touch.
“……”
“Say…can I ask you something?” she asked.
“…Yeah. What is it?”
“Did you mean what you said?”
“Said when?” He cocked his head.
“You know…what you said just before Burhardt disappeared…”
Euphemia wouldn’t forget that moment for the rest of her life.
“She is my mate.”
The sound of his voice, his expression, and warmth in that moment were burned into her mind, overriding the trauma she had gone through.
Even the way Shank’s face twisted in response was vividly imprinted on her.
“……”
“Did you mean it?”
“I didn’t say anythin’—”
“You did too! Oww…” Euphemia groaned from the pain of sitting up to argue the point. Zelaide put his arm around her shoulder and eased her back down.
“Don’t make me repeat myself! Take it easy!” he instructed gruffly.
“I will if you tell me. Were you telling the truth? Have I become your mate?”
Zelaide stared sadly down at Euphemia. He combed his fingers through her messy hair. She was hot to the touch—a sign she still had a fever. He leaned over and whispered in her ear, “You have.”
“…I have…?” she gaped.
“Yeah. You’re my one and only mate.”
“……”
“And you didn’t become it. I just realized you were it. Sucks for you.”
“It does not suck—”
Zelaide’s big hand gently sealed her objection. “What is it people say at a time like this? Oh yeah…that’s it…”
“…Zel?”
“Isn’t there a human word for this feeling?” A grin suddenly broke through Zelaide’s tough exterior. “I love ya.”
“…!”
“…I love ya so much,” he expressed with a lisp. His tongue wasn’t used to using that word.
Euphemia was so happy, she felt like she had gone to heaven. It was too perfect, she wondered if she had died.
It’s just five words, but they are the most beautiful thing I have ever heard…
Tears formed in her eyes.
“Yumi? Why’re you cryin’? Don’t cry…please?” Zelaide panicked.
“You…really…mean it?”
Does he understand the reason for these tears? Euphemia looked at him with her eyes opened wide as they could go. She wanted to see all of him.
“I really mean it, Yumi… I love ya. So much it drives me crazy…”
“…Yeah…I understand the feeling… I love you too.”
“You love me?” Zelaide repeated back as if it were the last thing he expected her to say. It didn’t matter that she had said it before when he didn’t understand what it meant.
“I do. I’m glad I’m you’re mate. I thought I had to give up on these feelings a long time ago because I was just a job to you…”
“I didn’t know… But that’s exactly why I…I must…”
“Must what? Mmph!”
Zelaide stole her pursed lips. “You’re too cute, Yumi… Way too cute.”
“’Scuse me?”
Today Euphemia discovered so many different surprising sides of him. Feeling more satisfaction than she knew possible, she sighed between their kisses.
“Yumi… I’m sorry.”
“Hm? What for?”
Zelaide’s hot breath tickled her skin. She stared back at him, unsure of why he was apologizing this time. He averted his gaze from those bright emeralds.
I can’t allow myself to be with you the way I am now… I’ll become stronger—strong enough I can be proud to call myself your mate. If I don’t, I won’t be able to take him down. I doubt he’s comin’ back to this city, but the maddening look he gave Euphemia said it all… Zelaide gnawed the side of his cheek.
Humans couldn’t even begin to understand the hatred a Beast Blood felt toward another male who showed a deep interest in their mate. Bad luck seemed to go hand in hand with being a Beast Blood.
But, Yumi, while you’re my mate, the same lifelong attachment doesn’t apply to a human like you. Don’t get tied down by a Beast Blood. I’m crazy ’bout you, but I know I’m not worthy of you yet. That’s why…
Zelaide closed his eyes.
I’m leavin’. I’m settin’ you free.
“…Zel? Are you hurting?”
“Yeah, I am. Why don’t we both get some more sleep? I’ll stick around,” he whispered, rubbing her cheek with his coarse finger.
Euphemia’s eyelids slowly lowered to the comfortable beat of his hand patting her on the shoulder.
“Stay with me, Zel.”
“I’m right here, holding your hand.”
“…I wanna eat…when I wake up. I want another chance to…try your porridge,” she mumbled.
“Sure thing. I’ll make anything you want.”
“Thanks…I’m so…happy…Zel…”
Her eyes fluttered opened and closed several times before she fell asleep. She slept with a smile on her face, hugging his big hand to her chest.
Zelaide stayed quietly by her side until he confirmed she was in a deep sleep and gently pulled his hand out of hers. A chill instantly filled his palm and heart.
“Goodbye, Yumi. I’ll love ya till the day I die,” Zelaide whispered to his beloved’s peacefully sleeping face.
He kissed her feverish lips three times, wishing those kisses would last forever.