A year? Thad froze. It was only the pressure on his chest and the feel of soft curls under his chin that let him close his mouth and think. His arms went around the small fragile doll who leaned against him. She was strong, he knew, and yet Siya allowed him to feel her delicate breakable self as she confided. Thad had a hard time taking in what she said. A year?

But even that did not seem as gut twisting as what she said of Veti. The idea that Veti pined for him, that she missed him that much was a surprise to him. For a whole year she didn’t move on? He didn’t really doubt what sweet things she had whispered under those covers but...a year? Even that didn’t hit him as much as the idea she, Veti, almost followed him. What? Followed him? Not Veti. Thad could not accept that. Not Veti. A Year?

With Siya’s head on him and his arms around her Thad looked to Atticus. He saw the truth in his eyes, the twists of his lips, the tone of his words. A year? They searched for a year to find a way to bring him back. All the powers of The Bain and Hoyle Investigation and Recovery Company took a fucking year. Not a great as advertised, Max snorted. deep inside. But Thad answered him quickly knowing that he, they, were back. It took them almost a year but he just made amazing love and felt more alive than ever. A year. And Veti had cracks. Maybe he really did have something to offer her. Maybe there was something Thad could do. For her. For Siya. He would make sure Veti would take care of those cracks. He would glue the three of them back together. 

It was then Thad loosened his hold of Siya and looked down her to. Putting his finger under her chin he lifted her perfect face and those cupid lips. “I’m sorry I left you with all that. She is there, Veti, you didn’t let her go.” Thad kissed Siya’s forehead. “Thank you.” He tried to let her see the encouragement in his eyes. He was alive. He was here. It was only a year. “And what is a year to a princess of darkness who stands beside her dragon afterall?” 

He let his arms fall from around her sure that Atticus could hold her better than he. Besides she gave him enough. A year. Thad took a breath and looked back to Siya. He let a small grin find its way to his face, “You let that hound and pink chick hang with you?” Thad shook his head trying to lighten the mood. But he was glad. “Now I know you care.” He tried a smart ass smile that Max found so easily but if fit harder on Thad’s face. Yet he wanted Siya to release any guilt. That would be a start. He wanted to see that smile. 

“And you, monster muscles,” He smiled to Atticus, “have you ever not brought the times of tumultuous things? For once couldn’t we just get a fucking cat out of a tree or something?” He chuckled and raised one hand, twisted to stop any defence from the guy and shoot a quick glance back to Veti. He turned and smiled. “Save it all. I am starving.” 

Thad took one step past the two, “Damn I haven’t eaten in almost a year!”