Dawnlark Plains I want this, and I want it now!

He smiled, giving her a small nudge. "That's a great idea. Have it come from both of us. It seems more official, that way." Oh gods. He'd just used the o-word. Was this happening? He supposed it was happening.

Shale didn't know what he was so afraid of. Rather, he did know--but he didn't know why it was ruling all of his decisions the way it was. So heavily, constantly on his mind. Pema was not Lucy, she never would be Lucy. Death wasn't necessarily in the cards for his new mate.

He needed to let the fear go. Just. . .let it go.