The day before the binding ceremony, Nathaniel had spent the night with Lila after watching fireworks on a mountainside. Come morning, he planned to drop her off at home and head to the hospital. But as they hit the pack, Lila, in the passenger seat, spoke up. "Nathaniel, I'm off today. Let's hit the aquarium."
He thought of Sylvia, still in the hospital, and started to refuse. But Lila tapped his arm, her voice soft and coaxing. "Nathaniel, it's right there. Just for a bit, please?"
Her gentle tone always made it hard to say no.
By the time they finished, dusk had settled. After dropping Lila off, Nathaniel turned to head to the hospital, but her soft hand caught his wrist. "Nathaniel, it's late. Stay the night."
Her touch burned, and he wavered. Tomorrow was the binding ceremony—just
