Episode 197 Mine Forever
Mine Forever
“This is quite pleasant,” Elowyn says to Rominy as she hands him another biscuit. “Though it’s not much different from the fires elves converge around while encamped.”
Rominy shrugs. “I suppose humans don’t have a corner on fire.”
Elowyn laughs as she lights a flame at the end of each finger on one hand. “I’d say not.”
“Show-off,” Rominy says, but his smile is free and genuine.
Elowyn extinguishes her burning fingers before snuggling close to him again on the log stool she moved beside his stump earlier, and he wraps an arm around her.
The tension of the events surrounding them lingers, but for a little while at least, they can relax. Let down their guard. Enjoy the simple pleasure of being together.
“You know,” Tharios says as he grins across the fire at Rominy. “I promised you that tattoo. Do you still want it?”
Rominy looks down at his wrist and frowns. “The ink wore off.”
Tharios shrugs. “We can redo it.”
Rominy glances at Elowyn, and her heart beats a little faster.
Does he really wish to tattoo her name on his skin? Permanently?
“Will it hurt?” Rominy asks as he turns back to Tharios.
“A little.”
Rominy shoves the rest of his biscuit into his mouth before letting Elowyn go and brushing off his hands as he rises. “Let’s do it. Write your name on my wrist, love. The way you’ve already etched yourself on my heart.”
When he steals a kiss, a few cheers go up, along with at least one groan, and Taliel procures a pen from somewhere.
Rominy’s smile is enough to send Elowyn’s heart racing even faster as he holds his hand toward her. With careful strokes, she shapes her name on his inner wrist in Elvish. He holds very still, and amusement fills her.
He probably doesn’t wish for her to make a mistake.
“Your name is beautiful, love,” Rominy whispers. “Just like you.”
It seems he’s intent on romancing her tonight, despite their audience.
She won’t complain.
“All done,” she says as she lets his arm go.
Tharios saunters toward them, and Rominy holds out his hand.
“Before I proceed, I’m required to inform you that this is permanent,” Tharios says. “Any objections?”
Rominy laughs lightly. “Just do it.”
“Just doing it now.” Tharios hovers his palm near Rominy’s wrist, slowly closing the distance between his hand and Rominy’s skin, and Rominy hisses.
“Stars above. That burns.”
“Almost done.” Tharios closes his eyes and concentrates for a few moments before letting go and examining Rominy’s wrist. “It may be a little red and tender for a day or so, but it should pass quickly.”
Rominy flexes his fingers and shakes out his hand. “That did not feel good.”
Hopefully, he doesn’t regret it.
“May I see?” Elowyn asks, and Rominy holds his wrist out for her. She traces the swirls and the strong center line etched permanently into his flesh, and warmth fills her.
He really did it. He tattooed her name on his wrist.
A smile latches on to her face, and he catches her up around the waist, drawing her close the way he did last night. “What do you think, love?”
She lifts her eyes to his, a playfulness passing between them. And rather than answering with words, she wraps her arms around his neck and draws him into a kiss.
He barely hesitates before kissing her back.
There are more cheers and groans, but Elowyn tunes them out. When Rominy rests his forehead against hers, she drinks him in. His uniquely human scent. So masculine, without any hints of magic.
“I love you, El,” he whispers.
“You are so much more.” She breathes the words she told him in the heartlanding last night. Contentment fills her in this perfect moment here with him, surrounded by people they love.
A knock at the door draws her attention, and they all turn to see Mother and Pera in the doorway.
“You know, dinner is very quiet when no one shows up.” Pera winks, and laughter bubbles from Elowyn’s chest.
“Is there room for two more?” Mother asks.
Jonas quickly abandons his stump, but Pera waves him back.
“Don’t get up. We’re fine. I am curious about what’s going on here.” Pera gestures to Rominy and Elowyn, and Rominy laughs as he lets Elowyn go.
“Just doing my best to horrify my mother when I return to Nunia.” Rominy holds out his arm, and Pera looks down at it before laughter fills him, and he grips Rominy’s shoulder.
“I’m so glad you’re ours.”
Elowyn melts at Pera’s words.
“Anyone else want one?” Tharios asks as he glances around the circle, and to Elowyn’s shock, Jonas shrugs.
“Sure, why not?”
Taliel stares at him from the stump near his own stump. “You wish to tattoo my name on your skin?”
“I can’t be outdone by Rominy.” Jonas smiles at Taliel, and Elowyn tosses her the pen.
“My name?” Taliel asks. “Are you certain?”
“Completely. Just put it somewhere hidden. Army regs.” He unbuttons the cuff of his sleeve and rolls it up before extending his inner forearm toward Taliel, who stands beside him.
“Now you’re just showing off your massive arms,” Rominy teases, and Jonas’s lips twitch.
As if Rominy doesn’t have well-developed muscles of his own.
Rominy lowers himself to his stump again and tugs on Elowyn’s hand until she’s close enough to pull into his lap.
“Since there aren’t enough seats for everyone,” he says.
“Is that what this is?” Elowyn smiles as she settles against his chest, and he shrugs.
“Seems as good a reason as any.”
Mother and Pera exchange an amused glance before Pera gestures to Elowyn’s abandoned stool for Mother to sit.
“That’s the rune for your name?” Jonas asks as he examines his arm. “It looks like a flowering vine. I like it.”
Tharios approaches him next. “Same thing as before. This is permanent. Do you still wish to proceed?”
“Go for it.”
As Tharios works his magic, Jonas holds perfectly still, saying nothing, and Rominy chuckles.
“He’s clearly made of sturdier stuff than I am,” Rominy whispers, and Elowyn trails her finger over his wrist.
“I believe you are perfect just the way you are.”
“I’m going to let you keep thinking that.” He kisses her ear, and heat fills her, but it isn’t overwhelming.
“Anyone else?” Tharios asks when he’s done.
“What about you?” Rominy calls to him, and Tharios’s mouth tilts into a smile.
“What makes you think I don’t already have one?”
Viala bursts into laughter. She seems to understand more Nunian every day.
Rominy shakes his head. “I’m pretty sure I don’t want to know.”
“I do!” Elowyn says.
Tharios laughs. “I guess you’ll be disappointed.”
She slumps against Rominy.
Perhaps she doesn’t wish to know.
“Anyone else?” Tharios asks as he holds up the pen.
“Give it here,” Pera says, and Mother laughs.
“Is that scar above your heart not enough?” she asks him.
“Are you saying you don’t wish for me to tattoo your name on my skin?”
Mother shrugs. “I don’t believe those words passed my lips.”
“I want mine over my heart.” Pera lifts his tunic, and Tharios hands Mother the pen.
“Now who’s showing off?” Rominy whispers in Elowyn’s ear, and Elowyn laughs.
When Mother finishes, she hands Tharios the pen. “I’ve got this.”
“You’re not supposed to be using your life magic,” Pera says, but he doesn’t seem in a hurry to stop her.
“It’s just a little magic. I’ll be fine. You can replenish it later.”
“Your terms are acceptable. Aren’t you supposed to remind me this is permanent?”
“You’re already mine forever, Lorial.”
Pera steals a kiss, and Elowyn can’t help smiling at them together. Rominy’s arms tighten around her.
“Go ahead, my love,” Pera says, and Mother pushes her magic toward the skin over his heart near the scar from the musket ball that almost took his life.
When she finishes pressing her hand to his chest, he draws her palm to his lips.
The heat of a thousand suns contained within a single glance.
“One of you had better douse him before he catches fire,” Tharios teases, and laughter fills Elowyn again.
Before anyone can respond, the door opens once more, and Rafelis pokes his head inside the arena.
Hopefully, nothing is wrong.
“I brought someone to meet you all before you leave,” he says in Elvish. “And now I see you decided to have a gathering without me?”
“Get in here,” Pera says as he wraps an arm around Mother’s shoulders.
A moment later, Rafelis pushes open the door, and Elowyn gasps at the sight of the little bundle in his arms.
“Rominy, look at her tiny ears! Aww. I just want to snuggle her close and never give her back.”
“I’m not sure I like where this is going,” Rominy teases as he helps Elowyn stand. Once on his feet, he pulls her to his chest again. “That said, the thought of seeing you with an elfling in your arms is doing strange things to my heart.”
Elowyn smiles up at him before joining the others already gathered around Rafelis and Averyn as they pass Nestial around.
“She’s perfect.” Mother cradles Nestial gently in her arms as if she holds new elflings every day.
Perhaps some things never leave you.
When Mother glances up, Elowyn follows her gaze to Tharios kissing Viala’s temple.
Tharios will be the best sort of pera.
Elowyn bites her lip as she struggles not to smile too widely.
She’ll keep their secret.
But she can hardly wait.