Unknown

"I have some news for you." I say into the phone, my eyes darting around nervously.

"This better be good, I've told you not to call me unless it's important." The answering voice snaps irritably.

"It is, I have an update on the location of the rogue agents and Thane Auberon."

"Make it quick, I can't risk someone overhearing this."

"All three are in the Sliverclaw territory. Astrea is in recovery from a bullet wound and silver poisoning." I say quietly, not wanting to be overheard either.

"Good. I'll handle this, don't contact me again unless it's important."

"Wait, there's more."

"What?"

"Thane and Astrea are mates, and she has marked him."

A string of curses follows my words, and I can't help but feel like I've kicked the hornets nest.

"Well, this both simplifies and complicates things. Is that all?"

"Yes."

"Fine, heed what I said, and don't get caught."

I sigh in relief as they hang up the phone, my hands shaking violently. I never wanted to make a deal with this devil, but I don't have any other choice if I want to keep what's mine.

Besides...it's too late to back out now. Far too late.

Thane

She's so beautiful...

I gently play with Astrea's hair as she sleeps, her soft, cool breaths fanning over my face as I trace my eyes over her sleeping face. It's nice to see her relaxed, to see her resting soundly...she's usually so on edge and focused.

Her eyelids flicker with movement as she dreams, her mouth twitching as it parts a little wider. I want to know more than anything what she's dreaming about, but I don't want to invade her privacy...she's already having difficulties with our mind link, I don't want to intrude on the only privacy she has anymore.

But I can still feel flickers of her emotions.

Right now her dreams are pleasant, happy...the corner of her mouth twitching up in a smile. I would give anything to see her smile, I don't think I've seen her smile in the time I've known her...not even once.

~I bet her smile is stunning enough to give an angel a run for their money.~ Kion rumbles, and I chuckle.

~Did I just hear you say something sappy? That's a new one.~

~Don't start with me boy, you were thinking it too.~

~Touché.~

Suddenly, Astrea isn't so content, her emotions now fearful and hurting. Her lips trembling as a few tears slip out of her eyes, a soft whimper slips out of her mouth that breaks my heart.

"No...no...don't leave me..." She whimpers, just like she did when she was shot. I immediately cup her cheeks in my hands, a little terrified at how her body is shaking beneath me.

"Snowdrop? Snowdrop wake up! Snowdrop!" I say in a fierce whisper, pressing my forehead to hers as her tears continue to fall.

"Astrea, wake up!" I say a little louder, and she opens her eyes with a startled gasp, panting as her gaze comes to focus on me. She still shaking as she stares into my eyes, the tears streaming out silently onto my hands.

"Baby, are you okay?" I ask, stroking underneath her eyes with my thumbs. She stays quiet for a moment, her mind a jumbled mess of thoughts.

"It's alright Snowdrop, it was just a bad dream..." I murmur, kissing her forehead. That seems to snap her out of it, because she shakes her head a little as she brings her free hand to one of mine.

"No...it wasn't..." She starts, closing her eyes and taking deep breaths, inhaling through her nose as she presses it to my palm.

"Then what was it?"

She doesn't answer for a minute, and just as I start to think she isn't she opens her eyes to look at me, a pained look in her eyes.

"It was...a memory..." She answers softly, the tears finally coming to halt. "One I wish I could forget."

My eyes widen as the anguish and turmoil swirls in her blue eye, I can even see it in the silvery depths of her blind one.

"Snowdrop..."

"This memory hasn't made me cry in years...but ever since I met you it has. Why...why is that?" She muses out loud, searching my face for answers.

"I wish I knew...baby, who left you?"

Her eyelids lower defeatedly, and for the first time I can see the vulnerability on her face.

"Who hasn't?...That would be a better question."

I can quite literally feel my heart breaking at that dejected response, the painful ache in her chest causing one in mine, as well as the tears pricking my eyes. She doesn't need to say anything, I can feel it.

"I know I certainly won't." I murmur, closing my eyes as the tears escape down my cheeks.

"I hope not Beloved..." She whispers, wiping at my cheek with her finger. I shiver at the name, and the feeling of her cooler fingers on my skin.

"I promised you, didn't I Snowdrop? I'll always be by your side."

"I know but...Thane..."

My eyes open instantly at the sound of my name, and I take her melancholy expression.

"It's....difficult for me to trust anyone, to let anyone in...so please...when I say that I trust you...don't make me regret it."

I grab her free hand and press a kiss to its palm.

"I would never Snowdrop, you have no idea how happy it makes me to hear those words from you."

Her mouth softens into an almost smile, and I gently press a kiss to her forehead. I know how hard it must be for her to open herself up to me, especially after what she admitted to me, so it makes me want to show her how much I care for her even more.

After a few minutes of cuddling together, my stomach rumbles hungrily, as does hers.

"How about we go downstairs and get some breakfast? I can whip us up something." I offer, and that faint smile appears again.

"That sounds good."

I grin and get off the bed, pulling her up into my arms. She raises an eyebrow at me, slight amusement in her eyes.

"I can walk you know."

"I know...I just like holding you in my arms." I chuckle, heading out my room and down the stairs to the kitchen with Ivory right on my heels. I have to admit it's been really good to be home...I've missed it a lot. I'm glad I get to show it to Astrea too, despite the circumstances.

We've talked a lot about needing to make our next move, on whether we should continue running, or find a way to clear my name with the agency. We haven't made a decision yet, but Astrea brought up the point that we can't run forever, we have to find whoever is framing me for murder...it's the only way I can have a normal life with her. And I want that more than anything.

"So Snowdrop, what do you want for breakfast?"

"Hmm...pancakes...and bacon." She murmurs, her head resting against my chest.

"I think I can do that." I chuckle, reaching the living room to find it empty and quiet. Looks like we are the first ones up today.

I set her up so she's sitting on the kitchen counter near the stove, quickly gathering everything I need to make breakfast. I get to work, starting on the pancakes first, stirring the ingredients together in a large bowl. I can feel her eyes watching me as I move, and I love it, her eyes on me giving me a warm feeling in my chest.

"You enjoying the view baby?"

After a minute of silence I suddenly feel her hand on my bare back, her fingers tracing over the large tattoo there. I shiver, the sensation giving me goosebumps as well as sparks.

"I have to say I do..." She whispers, and I growl lowly as I feel her lips press against my skin.

"Someone is playful this morning." I rumble, Kion enjoying the attention just as much as I am. He's honestly been itching to speak with her himself, especially since the day she saw me in bear form.

"I'm just really curious...you said this tattoo was important to you, does it have specific symbolism?"

"Yeah, it's the Celtic Tree of Life. Part of both of my parents lineage."

"The Tree of Life...it sounds familiar..."

"It represents wisdom, strength, and long life...as well as rebirth. Which is why I chose it, a couple of years after I left home I regretted my decision, and I got in hopes that one day I'd get a new start in my life." I admit, my mind rehashing all that time I spent alone...which left me a lot of time to think things over.

"Well...I think you've definitely gotten it." She murmurs, still tracing over my skin.

"Because of you love, which is why once this is all over, I want to start it with you. Whatever that future is for us."

"Ty slishkom khorosh dlya menya moya lyubov'." She murmurs, her arm curling around to hug me from behind, her face pressed into my back. I'm not really sure what she said, but I can guess that it's Russian again...and the soft words make me feel even warmer.

"What did you say?" I question, interlocking my fingers with hers.

"I'll tell you...one day." She whispers back, but we jump at the sound of someone clearing their throat. We both turn to see my parents, and a very smug looking Nesryn.

"Well, don't you two look cozy." Red says with a wry smile, and my parents look...happy? Proud? Maybe both?

"Are you cooking breakfast?" Mama asks, and I nod, silently enjoying the fact that Snowdrop is still hugging me despite our audience.

"I can help you, that way we can all eat together!" She replies, clapping her hands together, and I smile. It's been a long time since I cooked with her, I've missed it.

"That sounds great Mama, you can do the fruit and eggs, while I handle the pancakes and bacon."

~~~~~~

Astrea ended up staying with me the entire time I was cooking, even after she stopped hugging me. Content with helping me and mom with cooking...though mostly it was just grabbing things for us, or watching a frying pan a couple of times.

I'm not sure weather that was from wanting to spend time with me, or avoid the conversation that Red will no doubt drag her into. Either way, I enjoyed her company.

The meal was delicious, especially the chocolate chip pancakes I made. Though I have to admit it was cute seeing Snowdrop struggle with cutting them up, and the expression she made when I helped her cut it up...and then offered to feed her. She grumbled about 'not being completely helpless', but she didn't protest when I offered her a bite...her cheeks tinged red with embarrassment. My mother was practically swooning, and Red just got more smug by the minute...which is why I left her alone after that. I've embarrassed her enough for one day.

Now, the conversation has turned to stories about me and the girls as kids, and it seems Red has taken up the 'embarrassing Snowdrop' position.

"We were! I swear, we were the cutest little troublemakers in the neighborhood!" Red chuckles, her gaze flicking to my mate, who's less than thrilled about the conversation.

"I'm just trying to picture you two as kids!" Mama giggles, and Red's eyes light up.

"Oh! I got pictures! Hold on!"

She darts up the stairs to her room, Astrea stiffening at her words. No doubt she is nervous about the pictures.

"Here they are! I held on to them in my wallet!" Red exclaims as she hands them to me first, and my jaw quite literally drops.

"Wow...you're right." I murmur, staring at Astrea's picture dazedly. I can see her blushing from the corner of my eye, glaring at Red irritably.

"She was adorable, huh?" She giggles as I pass the pictures to my mom.

"She still is."

Astrea's cheeks redden even more, avoiding eye contact with me.

"Come on Astrea, don't be shy." I tease, her face turning farther away.

"Astrea?"

Everyone stills at the new voice, and I turn to see a guy with blonde hair and blue eyes like Astrea's, not looking much younger than her. I can smell he's vampire, at least partly...but I'm more distracted by how he and my mate are staring at each other in absolute shock.

Astrea stands up, looking dazed.

"Dante?"