Page 85 of Legacy Ascended

“I know.”

“Jessica—”

My name breaks in the middle. His arm tightens around my ribs and his face goes into my neck. The rush of him through the bond pushes me over right behind him.

For a while all we do is breathe.

Then he lifts his head. “Don't stand up yet.”

He turns me carefully until I'm sitting square on the table, then gets the water bottle from his bag and hands it to me.

“Drink.”

“Still conducting.”

“Drink, Jessica.”

I drink.

He cleans us both up at the little sink in the corner, then helps me dress, taking care of the left sleeve without being asked.

He shakes out his coat, puts it around my shoulders, and sits on the table beside me with his hip against mine.

He stays.

Through the bond, underneath everything else, there's a long low note of relief.

"So," I say. "Bern."

"I'm not taking it."

I turn my head. "No?"

"No."

"What are you doing instead?"

"I don't know yet."

That might be the most surprising thing he's said all night.

"Okay."

"I'm going to speak to the academy adviser tomorrow."

"Also okay."

"You don't have an opinion?"

"Several. You didn't ask."

He drinks some more of the water and hands it back.

“Can we have dinner in your room this week?” I ask.

Soren looks at me. “Of course.”

“I mean just us. I can make pasta.”