Page 24 of Pet: Torment

I slowly reach for his hand, gripping it in mine, and it takes all my strength to look him in the eyes.

“Is this the bond?” I ask.

My voice is soft, but Remus hears me. His expression remains unchanged as he watches me, but he nods.

“Your discomfort is because my essence has yet to properly acclimate to its new host. Physical contact should help. And…last night,” he says gently.

I shake my head as I laugh.

“Where were you then?” I ask.

I hate my accusatory tone. But Remus doesn’t smirk, nor does he make a joke about my anxious state.

“I had to leave for a bit. I didn’t realize how much of a strain it would place on you. I’m sorry,” he says gently.

He pulls his hand from my grip, touching my face, and I release a shuddering breath.

“That doesn’t answer my question,” I say gently.

Now, Remus smiles. And I am grateful to see his personality shining through. The quiet, stoic alien who didn’t want to touch me was beginning to make me nervous.

“That answer is reserved for those who acknowledge this as their home,” he says teasingly.

Instead of anger, I laugh. It’s soft and brief, but I am happy that he is back to teasing me. He’s back to being patient. This Remus I am familiar with.

“I assume you are feeling better after last night,” he says, his arms slowly wrapping around me. The warmth from his touch makes me melt into him as his scent slowly engulfs me.

“Yes,” I say again.

“Do you regret what we did?” he asks.

“No, of course not,” I say much too quickly for my own liking. But Remus laughs.

“What were you dreaming about that has you so tense?” he asks, pulling away from me. I almost choke on my own saliva as he says the words. He thinks I am this anxious and in need of his touch because of my nightmare. It’s a small win for my dignity but even more of a disappointment when I realize I am slightly put off by that deduction.

“I…” I trail off, not knowing if I want to tell him.

How would I even share it with him? Do I tell him I’m having dreams of a place I do not know, where his name is chanted across my mind for as long as my eyes are closed? I think not. Especially after last night.

“Just home,” I lie.

Remus doesn’t look angry as he usually does when I refer to my home world. His expression softens as if he knows what I feel when referring to the emotions that come with homesickness.

“And what about it?” he asks.

I don’t hide the surprise that appears on my face. Remus has always been dismissive about the sadness associated with my home. He thinks it is pointless and temporary. But something is different now. It’s almost eerie as I focus more on the being in front of me. He has the same voice and the same facial expressions, but he is different in a way I can’t put my finger on. And I’m not sure if he’s noticed it himself yet.

“Just…the day you and your sister came…the destruction,” I say as I try and think of something that would align with me groaning in my sleep.

Remus nods, gently reaching for my hand. His touch is much warmer than usual. He studies my palm before looking up at me. His expression forces my heart to still in my chest. He knows I’m lying. But he doesn’t say anything about it.

He kisses my hand gently before standing.

“Come. I have something I wish to show you.”

Chapter Eleven

Iris