The couple spent the day with Marnie, who was ecstatic to see Prim again, though she continued to call her Bear. Delle and Tamar had been out running errands, but once they returned, were just as excited to see Prim as the teenager was. Of course, no one was as excited as Dante. Once night fell, he took her out to see Pregg lit by candlelight and show her all the best places to drink and one tavern that specialized in having raucous music playing. He finally gave her the dance he’d meant to ever since she’d first told Neros that’s a factor that made a good partner. And when they went home, he made love to her then slept with his arm around her.
Despite the time apart, it felt as though nothing had changed. A tight pain in his chest that had been bothering him since they parted loosened. Perhaps living across the country from one another could work long-term. The time apart was hell, but if the time together was always going to be as good as it always was, Dante could live with that. In the back of his mind, he still considered relocating to Hogard someday anyway.
A couple days into her visit, Dante worked up the courage to ask Prim how long she planned on staying as they lay in bed before rising for the day, soft golden light highlighting dust particles floating in the air. With a soft smile, she answered, “This visit? How about a week? And then maybe I could get a ride back to Hogard on one of the dragons?”
He kissed her forehead. “I think that can be arranged.”
Prim’s smile widened, and she gathered his hands. “But I was thinking maybe one day I could stay longer.”
Dante hummed a noise of consideration. “You are always welcome here, and there will never be a limit on how long you can stay.”
Prim released his hands and sat up on the bed, a serious look on her face despite the lifted corners of her mouth. Dante breathed a laugh then sat up right, taking in her body in the sheer nightgown he had returned to her along with the rest of her things she’d left; he was very glad Marnie hadn’t let the dragons burn them. “Yes, my love?”
“What if I wanted to live here?”
Dante’s amusement faded. “No.”
Prim’s mouth dropped open. “What do you mean, No? If it’s just that you don’t want me living here in this house, I could find my own place.”
He scooped her hands up in his, bringing them to his mouth to kiss her knuckles. “If you moved to Pregg, I would buy you ten houses. But you’re not moving to Pregg. You’re staying with Kallia.”
That wicked smile of hers that drove him crazy lit her face. “That’s the thing, Dante. Turns out, I might be able to do both.”
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At his confused stare, Prim explained that Helena had told her it might be possible to do the seemingly impossible and lope to Hogard and back from Pregg every day without depleting Prim’s magic. Dante had his doubts, but he wasn’t going to voice them when such hope and joy shone through Prim’s eyes and expectant smile. According to her, it wouldn’t work for a few years anyway, not until her magic cache was fully filled--and she’d likely just emptied most of it by loping here this time. A lot could change in a few years. He’d let her believe in this eventuality for the time being.
“But for now,” Prim continued. “I shouldn’t lope here again. I was thinking, if you wanted to, maybe you could stay at the castle until my gift is ready to take on that challenge?”
It took Dante several moments to realize what she was saying.
“You want me to live in Hogard?”
Prim quickly tried to explain, her voice high and fast. “It was just a suggestion. And only for a couple years. Only until I could move to Pregg and still attend Kallia as needed.”
Dante stared at her until she squeezed his hands in hers, bringing him back. “I’ll have to think about it.”
He didn't have to think about it. He would move there in a heartbeat to spend every day with her if there were no other factors to consider. But there were. He needed to talk it over with his family. After learning Marnie felt as though he abandoned her, he would never take this step without speaking to her and Delle first. He would never let her think he’d abandon them again.
So when Tamar took Prim out later that day, he sat his sister-in-law and niece down at the kitchen table. He waited until the meal Marnie had been prepping was completed, making sure he would have her undivided attention. And boy, did he. Both of them stared at him with narrowed eyes, their hands folded on top of the table.
“Yes, Dante?” Delle asked quietly, her chestnut hair hanging loose around her face swaying as she tilted her head.
“Prim is considering moving here,” he said cautiously.
Marnie’s mouth opened into a wide smile. “Yes!”
Delle chuckled, placing her hand over her daughter’s as if to tell her to calm down; she knew there was more.
“But not for a few years,” he continued.
Marnie’s smile turned into a pout, and Delle patted the hand still under hers.
“In the meantime…” Dante looked between the woman and girl. “She suggested I stay with her in Hogard.”
Delle said nothing, only looked at Dante consideringly for a few moments, then turned her attention to her daughter.
Marnie furrowed her brows at both of them and shrugged. “What are you looking at me for?”
Clearing his throat, Dante asked a bit awkwardly, “How would you feel about that?”
That smile once again graced the girl’s face. “I think Bear would make a lovely aunt. And I think I would enjoy visiting you in the castle. Would I get to wear a crown?”
Delle and Dante exchanged a look, both smirking. Then he returned his attention back to his niece. “You wouldn’t be upset if I didn’t live here for a few years?”
The teenager rolled her eyes. “I have Zulas now, remember? I can go anywhere and do anything. Including hunting you down when I miss you.”
Fair enough. Dante pushed back his seat so he could walk to the other side of the table and give her a hug. Before letting go, Marnie whispered into his ear, “Will the wedding be here or in Hogard?”
Dante only shook his head.