“Is everything okay?” Lyra asks, tucking some of her hair behind her ear. Hair that’s almost identical to mine. She’s wearing anice pair of dress slacks and a form-fitting purple sweater. The entire outfit exudes wealth, sophistication, and power. Even so, her facial features are warm. I can definitely see the similarities between us. Darius was right, too. I have her eyes.
I offer her a smile. “Everything is fine. I’m just still a little nervous,” I explain. “All of this is still new to me.”
Lyra reaches for my hand. “It’s completely understandable. Do you have any questions? I’d be happy to answer them for you.”
Of course, this is the moment a million questions pop into my head all at once. Suddenly, an image comes to mind, or more like a sound. Something I used to hum when I was nervous or scared.
“Did you used to sing to me?” I blurt.
Lyra cocks her head curiously. Before she can answer, I start humming a song I pluck from memory. Tears fill Lyra’s eyes, and she nods quickly. “Your grandmother used to sing that song to me, and I used to sing it to you and Anya when you two were younger.”
Anya nods, humming along, and Lyra begins to sing. She has a beautiful voice that makes me feel so many emotions. If I questioned it before, this confirms it. Lyra and Edwin Dumas are my parents. That’s my mother’s voice.
We chat for a long time, as Lyra and Edwin tell me about my childhood, the kidnapping, and the reasons they think the witchnamed Trumble took me. Since he’s no longer alive, there’s no actual way of getting answers. My sister was only three when I was taken, so she doesn’t really remember me, only the pain my parents shared as they continued to search for me.
As I get to know my family, Darius stays by my side, a comforting presence, silently giving me strength. A few times, he sends me questions down the bond, making sure I’m okay, or asking if I need anything. I try to answer back, but I can’t be entirely sure I’m sending them properly. Every time he smiles at me or checks in on me, the faster I fall.
I don’t know if it’s even possible not to fall in love with your fated mate, but I wouldn’t be surprised if we developed feelings for each other quickly. There’s something very intimate about sharing thoughts, feelings, and memories.
At one point, Cleo rejoins us, purring at my feet as she settles into a catnap. My fingers casually reach down and run through her black fur.
By the time we finish chatting, all of us are laughing, with huge smiles on our faces. But when Lyra—Mom—lets me know that my bedroom in their manor is ready for me, I panic. It’s obvious they’re my family, and that as a witch, I probably belong in the Dumas coven. But I don’t know if I’m ready to live there. Or if I’ll ever really want to live there. I’m a grown adult and just don’t know how I feel about freeloading off people. Blood or not.
‘Stay with me,’ Darius says eagerly through our magical link. Our eyes meet.
Edwin clears his throat. “Why don’t you let Kaleb decide where he’s going to stay, honey?”
“Oh, but Edwin, he just came back into our lives,” Lyra says, with an adorable pout.Ah, so that’s who I got that from.I chuckle. I swear she’d stomp her foot if she could. “Christmas is almost here.”
I glance over at my dad right as he winks. “Lyra, sweetheart. We can still see him as often as possible. Plus, we have the entire Christmas season.”
“I can visit several times a week, I promise. But if it’s okay with everyone, I’d like to stay with Darius. He—he’s my fated mate, and I would really like to learn more about our connection.” As soon as the words are out, joy courses between Darius and me. He’s so happy that it’s actually hard to tell if I’m feeling his emotions, mine, or both of ours.
Damn, I want this. I wanthim.
I want to learn everything about him. I want to wake up in his arms every morning and fall asleep together at night. I want to go on dates and explore the heat that seems to sizzle between us. But not only that, I want to be there more often when he shifts. To prove to him that he’s beautiful in any form.
I want all of him.
“No freaking way,” Anya gasps, eyes bouncing between Darius and me. “What are the chances the tracker Mom and Dad hired to look for you is your fated mate?”
I lean across the table and press a kiss to Darius’ cheek. Darius grins. When his golden-brown gaze meets mine, I lift my peppermint potion to my lips. “I guess Fate really does know what she’s doing,” I tell him, never breaking eye contact.
Chapter fifteen
Darius
The rest of the day speeds by in a swirl of tinsel, lights, and ornaments. When I originally mentioned decorating my tea shop with Christmas décor, I thought it would be a sweet way to spend time with my mate while we put up a few lights.
I hadn’t anticipated a day of holding hands as we shopped through all of Heart’s Hollow, traveling from shop to shop, finding the ‘perfect pieces.’ Afterward, we spent the nightlistening to music, chatting, and decorating. Apparently, Kaleb takes decorating for Christmasveryseriously.
In all honesty, today felt like a series of dates compressed into one very magical day. All the while, my kraken cheered and sang, celebrating that our mate wanted to try living with us. As soon as we make it home, we get Cleo’s food dish and bed set up. I peer around the living room, trying to picture where the best place would be for a Christmas tree, because after today, I know Kaleb will be thrilled to make our home just as spirited with holiday cheer. I’m so distracted that when an intense feeling of lust travels down the bond, I almost fall to my knees.
I smirk.
Kaleb still needs to get a handle on sending things through our connection, because I’m not entirely sure he meant to broadcast just how horny he is. Only right as I’m about to open my mouth and tease him, Kaleb sends me an image.
A very sexy image.
