The confusion was apparent in Elann’s voice. The question was random and asked without any build up. He had just woken up and was overwhelming himself with his own emotions. Noah answered Elann’s question with a hesitant nod. The petting in his hair made him recognize she was real and present and there for him. She was enough to calm him and the calm that overtook him was far faster than the calms Alena or Aimee managed to bring. It was strong, brought on by the love in her eyes and the worry in their bond.

Calming, his eyes looked around her and into the room, his head turning to help in the action. The daylight was outside and the birds weren’t chattering in their early morning voices. He figured it was approaching the tenth or eleventh bell, but he couldn’t be sure until he was outside. He looked back to Elann, meeting her gaze and releasing his hold on her dress. His eyes went to the place where he had grabbed ahold of her and he saw the wrinkled and bunched up fabric.

“I’m sorry,” he said, “I didn’t mean to pull you like that. I was scared.”

He swallowed dryly, looking up at her still. “I love you,” he told her, the words said aloud so that he could hear them with her.