Page 71 of A Little Blessing

Robin played with his hair some more, pleased when Lucas’ ears flushed. “Oh, you know, errands. We went to the post office and then the drug store to buy necessaries and silly things. We cruised some of the boutiques, not that either of us have that sort of money.” Robin considered what might have been a cowlick at the back of Lucas’ head, the kind that happened in the awkward stages of a haircut growing out. “I wonder if BattleWood has ever done a spinning wheel. People have favorites, you know, and this one is mine.” Robin glanced to the wheel and chair by the fireplace. “I might get territorial and it would be good to have more of this kind. Well, we can keep an eye out for a quality used one.”

Lucas’ gaze was almost shining when he sat up. “What else?”

Robin shrugged. “The grocery store. I got you some ice cream.” He skipped over what had happened after coming out of the Creamery. “I also got some vanilla syrup at the store today… and some regular vanilla in case I’d rather make it from scratch. And some other things, and some lactose-free milk to go with your oat milk. I’m going to make you a dairy-free hot vanilla drink to try, as soon as I figure out the recipe. I tried one in the coffee shop today but they wouldn’t share how to make it. I’m not sure if it goes with marshmallows or not. But cinnamon might make it perfect.” He swept his thumb over the curve of Lucas’ lips as they shaped a smile. “I can usually figure out a pattern from the finished design, so hopefully, I can get this too.”

“Blessing.” Lucas’ voice was not unlike the drink in question.

Robin ignored the interruption so Lucas couldn’t tell him how he didn’t mind making Robin cocoa and he wasn’t expecting anything in return when he did it.

“You were absolutely perfect last night,” Robin told him, continuing to trace Lucas’ generous mouth and then the warmth rushing through Lucas’ skin. Robin had never done anything like that, never even thought of it. The dynamics of such a thing would have seemed improbable for him if anyone had asked him before this. It was the kind of intimacy not even found in Marise’s romance novels. But in practice, it was startlingly easy to sit astride Lucas and have Lucas do exactly as he was told. Robin couldn’t make himself be loud or cold or distant, but thankfully, Lucas didn’t want those things.

The two of them were not what Robin would have thought such a thing would be like. They were as soft as Lucas’ hair through Robin’s fingers with Lucas kneeling by the side of the bed. Soft as whispers shared between them while Robin rode him. As soft and light as meringue when it was moments of only kissing, or no kissing, just Lucas charming dishes and starting fires and handing Robin coffee.

“Thank you,” Robin told him now, because he’d been anxious all through the store at the thought of this, and Lucas, blessed and marked and dangerous, was speechless and hot to the touch.

Always flustered for a little thank you, Robin thought fondly. And the blush looked so well against the creamy warmth of his sweater, which had not a speck on it.

“Blessing,” Lucas managed finally, not quite asking for Robin to stop or for him to go on.

And they would need to make dinner eventually.

Robin sighed and took his hand away. “I got you more of that peanut butter and pretzel ice cream you like.”

“From the Creamery?” Lucas had to clear his throat to speak, which was rewarding. “So you could ask after Holly to get him on your side?”

“Shush.” Robin glanced away, but the birds wanted nothing to do with them. “You don’t need to be so pleased. I haven’t done anything.”

The eyebrow and a half both went up.

Robin was abruptly back in the kitchen with Persephone, his knees weak to consider how other people saw him. How Lucas might.

“You are not my herald.” He hadn’t meant to say it although he had been sitting here thinking about it before Lucas had come into the house. But then Lucas had put himself in Robin’s hands and Robin’s sense had flown out the window.I’m not that important.He could have said that too. People were looking at him now,Lucaswas looking at him. That was a lot for little Robin Blessing who was only just starting to feel like himself again.

But he didn’t say that. He might have, if Persephone hadn’t shared anything else.

But now, Robin had to think about Lucas being concerned for him, and missing him, and Robin rebuffing him, and Lucas running away to hide in the woods. Which was so like him. Robin was closed off but Lucas wasopen. He had to be if he wanted to learn and to able to see what the world was trying to show him. He had no protection except to retreat from it all when he felt overwhelmed.

Robin needed to touch him again. Lucas leaned into his hand and didn’t seem to mind.

But heshould.

“I’m sorry I took so long.”

Lucas met Robin’s gaze, then nodded once. “It is what it is and what will be is what will be.” The untouchable druid had spoken… while letting himself be touched. He added, “You took the time you needed. And I am.”

Robin frowned without taking his hand from Lucas’ cheek. “Am what?”

Lucas smiled, careful and warm. “Your herald. It’s an honor to be so, Blessing. My privilege and my pleasure. You had only to Look to know that.”

He turned his head so he could kiss Robin’s palm.

“Always…” Robin was going to complain, but he didn’t have the words. “You’re always…”

“Yours?” Lucas suggested, and it was only how shocked he looked after saying it that kept Robin from falling down in a faint.

“Two months!” Robin whispered when he probably should have shouted. “Two months, and that isn’t the kind of thing you justsay. And I am just a… This isn’t arguing.” Robin closed his mouth. He took a breath. He resumed petting Lucas, then took another breath. “I haven’t had as long to sit with this as you’ve had.” He was being very reasonable. “And I still think you’re too important to be a messenger for someone like me. I would’ve settled for husband, someday, just so you know. And your sister made it sound like I’m leading a ghost mafia or a child army or something. Not that any of them are children.” Robin wasn’t even thirty yet, what was he even saying? “I’m always talking around you.”

He met Lucas’ patient, only slightly confused, stare. “If you’re sure,” Robin said finally.

Which of course Lucas was. That was part of what made LucasLucas.

Lucas smiled, the secret one, there and gone. “Did you want dinner now?”

Robin pulled him in to kiss him.

It was that or slap him silly.

The End