34 Dove
DOVE
Out in the peaceful green space, what the infirmary called their “healing garden,” I rehearsed again in my head what I wanted to say.
The gist of it, anyway. This whole miraculous, wonderful scene with Balfie’s awakening had gotten everything a bit jumbled with emotion.
I’d never seen Maerryl so overcome. So beautifully, blissfully full of joy.
If I wasn’t already deeply in love with her, that scene would have made me fall all over again.
But I’d had plenty of time to think in these past weeks.
As icky as some of the prioress’s cleaning tasks were, they certainly gave me the time and space to sort out my feelings as we worked together, nearby but mostly apart.
If it hadn’t been for our deal with Lumelle, I likely would have shut myself away in my manor, in my room—trying and failing to forget about the scowling half-dwarf who’d stolen my heart.
Not for the first time, I wondered if the prioress had known that, and chosen a request that would keep Mae and me stuck together while here. That cheeky, meddling elder.
I must make a mental note to bring them a special treat over from Choia one of these days.
Stepping to Maerryl where she stood by a boxwood bush shaped like a crescent moon, I cleared my throat. Her shoulders hitched up slightly, but she turned toward me. Hazel pools of uncertainty, her eyes pulled me in. I knew what I wanted now.
“Do you remember the night of the heist, after we returned back to the manor? I’d never seen anyone yell at Mother and Father like that,” I said.
“Sorry if I crossed a line,” she said quickly. And then, she muttered, “They deserved it though. Jerks.”
I barked out a laugh, and one side of her mouth quirked up, even as she nervously fiddled with a buckle on her pants. Taking that hand, I pulled it to my lips and kissed her rough knuckles. Mae’s breath caught.
“Maerryl Kirim. You are, by far, the worst bodyguard in the history of the profession. And a pretty terrible thief too, to be honest. May I suggest a career change?”
Her gaze moved from my hand holding hers to my eyes, confused. “… Yes?”
“Be my gardener. There is so much work to be done on the estate. I know you’ll be brilliant at it.”
“You want me to be the gardener there?” Disappointment clouded her face.
“I do,” I said primly. “And my girlfriend. If that’s amenable to you.”
Mae blinked at me once. Then again.
Then suddenly, she lunged toward me, sinking her hands close to cradle my head, connecting our lips in a kiss that felt like my first full breath in weeks.
I pressed nearer, brushing my fingertips over and over her cheek.
She sighed into me, kissing like she’d thought she’d never be allowed to again, before pulling back to hold me in a tight hug.
“Dove,” she breathed. “I love you. More than you know. And I’m going to spend every minute making you as happy as possible.”
I beamed back at her. “Too right you should.” More seriously, I said, “But not because you feel guilty, or torn up, or something. We’ll certainly need to talk a lot more, about all that’s happened.
But I’d like to, eventually, move past it.
I want us to have a fresh start. None of this shamed penitent attitude I’ve seen you slipping into. It doesn’t suit you at all, love.”
She grumbled at that, some of her old spark lighting in her eyes. “Cheeky imp.”
I kissed her nose in response, then lingered on her mouth for good measure.
“Oh! And,” I said, drawing back again despite her groan, “as you’ve heard, I’m going to convert the estate into a proper orphanage.
I’ve given it a lot of thought, and I’m very set on the idea.
Once your brother is on the mend and we’ve settled my parents in the city.
How does gardener slash schoolmistress sound? ”
“Schoolmistress?” Mae snorted. “The title will need work. Maybe Head Teacher. Keeper of the Kids. Master of Thieving and Botanical Arts. I’ll come up with something.” Her eyes softened. “But I think that’s a wonderful idea, Dove. I can’t imagine anything better.”
“It will be a lot of work,” I said, gripping her hands in mine.
She squeezed back. “And we’ll do it all. Together.”