Stone Circle needless to say, I keep her in check

Relieved, Alya tucked her face into Nikai's neck and let out a slow breath. "Me neither," she said softly, thinking that she'd already spent enough of her life without him. It was strange how quickly things could change; she still wasn't completely at ease in Easthollow, but she was completely at ease calling Nikai her mate, and claiming him as family. When she was with him, it was like something just clicked into place. It was as though they had always belonged together, and no matter when they met or how long they spent apart, there was something real and soild tying them together.

"I love you," she told him, pulling back to give his cheek a firm lick. "We'll come back as soon as we see that everything's alright. Just give me a week or two to catch up with my sisters, and for you to get to know everyone a little better."

Alas, it was not to be.