Marjoram laid comforting hand on her shoulder. "That's all we can do. Remember that we're all dealing with a scenario that has never happened before. There is no wrong answer here," she reminded her gently.
"Some days it's not good enough." Ellie looked out over the children.
"I know, love. I know."
Grant wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her close. "How about after the children have been given their next treatment, I show you my home? We can get ready for dinner there."
Ellie couldn't help smiling. She had completely forgotten he had his own home here in the city. "I think that sounds like a wonderful idea."
Ellie explained what she wanted to do to Nathaniel, and he agreed. Together, they administered the first round of antibiotics and watched the children carefully. She reviewed his notes from Carina about her mate. How had Julio gotten sick? They didn't have any children of their own, and Julio hadn't been one of the volunteers who had been in and out of the courtyard helping the children since her arrival. What was she missing?
Two hours later, when there had been no reaction to the antibiotics, Grant waited while Ellie grabbed her toiletry bag and a change of clothes. Hand in hand they headed down to the Unit Level.
Ellie was fascinated by the way the warriors had created their own small village. Each warrior had his own house designed to fit his personality. Together, they walked down the thoroughfare that ran through the middle of their level. Grant showed her where the guys hung out and the commissary. He let her know which warrior lived where and shook his head when he pointed out Declan's small castle.
However, it wasn't until he nervously stopped at the large Craftsman style house that she realized she was looking at her new home. "This one is ours." He watched her closely for her reaction.
Ellie clasped her hands together excitedly. It was everything she had ever dreamed of. Without thought, she threw herself at her mate, jumped up, and wrapped her arms around his neck. She kissed him with abandon as the feeling of perfect happiness overwhelmed her. His arms wrapped around her body, and he easily lifted her and held her off the ground.
When he pulled back, he was smiling wide. "I take it you like the house?"
Blushing, she couldn't believe how silly she had just been. He leaned forward and kissed her between her eyebrows. "Don't. I love that you feel comfortable enough to act freely in front of me."
She wiggled and bit her lip, realizing that he was still holding her off the ground. "Put me down. I'm too heavy." Behind his back she still held on to her small overnight bag.
He frowned down at her. "Are you calling me weak?"
"Of course not." She shook her head.
"You wouldn't be putting yourself down again, would you baby?"
She stared at his throat to avoid his eyes.
"Because you know that would hurt my heart. The woman you think so little of is my entire world."
She looked up and saw the sincerity shining brightly in his eyes. "You don't have to carry me if you don't want to."
He nodded. "I want to." He tightened his arms and smiled down at her. "I'm never putting you down."
She couldn't seem to swallow past the large lump in her throat. He wasn't just saying the words to make her feel better; he was showing her with his actions that he meant what he said.
Smiling, he carried her toward the house, her body flush against his. She felt silly dangling vertically from his arms. She buried her face in his chest and giggled.
"Now there is a sound I will never tire of hearing." Grant shifted her slightly to one side and easily held her weight with one arm while he opened the door with his opposite hand.
She couldn't believe he had no problem carrying her about like a rag doll.
"Does Benji's weight even register with you?" she asked.
He shook his head. "Not really."
He carried her inside and shut the door behind them. "Does this count for carrying you across the threshold?"
"I would say it does."
He carefully set her on her feet. "Trust me?"
"You know I do."
He grabbed her hand. "I want to show you something."
She dropped her bag in the foyer before he led her through the house and out the back door. For a moment, she was confused. She looked around. "Are we still in Noctem Falls?"
The moment they walked through his back door, they'd stepped into a dark forest. Overhead, the night sky was clear, and the stars twinkled like bright diamonds. Soft grasses and fallen leaves cushioned her feet as she stepped farther into this impossible forest. She could actually smell the earth, petrychor, and the crisp scent of snow. Unlike the icy weather of her home city, she was comfortable enough that she didn't need a coat, even though the scents and breezes made her think of winter.