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’ll be back. And Noah? Don’t change how you dress, or anything about yourself,” he said quietly. “Not for me or anyone.”
With that, his mate turned and left. After the door shut behind him, Noah relaxed into the bedding and groaned. That man was going to be the death of him yet. Had any of the others had this much trouble getting on the same page with their mates?
Stupid question. Sure they had. Every single one of them had issues to get past before they could make things work, and it seemed he and Nix would be no different.
Bored, he cast about for something to do. It sucked being a patient instead of a nurse. His attention went to the rolling tray by the bed, and the plastic cup and water pitcher sitting on top of it. Reaching out, he pulled the tray over his lap and glanced toward the door. Melina or one of the nurses would probably check on him soon, and they might catch him playing with his gift.
But so what? He lived in a compound full of paranormal beings. Who cared if anyone saw him messing around with his miniscule abilities? They might give him a hard time because he hadn’t said anything about them, but not because he possessed them in the first place. Of course, his so-called powers were no big deal. In fact, his skills were downright embarrassing compared to the cool shit the others could do.
Placing the cup on its side, Noah stared at the object, concentrating. Focusing all his energy, he pointed his index finger at it and made a slow circular motion in the air. The cup began to turn in place in tandem with his finger. Chuckling, Noah made it spin faster. He didn’t have many talents, but this one, among a few other minor parlor tricks, had always made him laugh. His friends, too, when they were kids, or at least the very few he’d ever dared to show them to.
The words “parlor trick,” however, dissipated his good mood. Maybe if he could learn to perform bigger magic, like Kalen or Blue, he’d be more. More than a simple, weak human. Somebody his mate could be proud of.
Don’t change how you dress, or anything about yourself.
But Noah doubted he really meant that, deep down. How could he, when he could barely tolerate the thought of being Bondmates?
A sound at the door alerted him to the fact that someone had entered the room without him realizing it. Noah glanced over to see Blue, their resident Fae prince, regarding him with fond amusement.
The prince’s real name was Sariel, but he was widely known as Blue for his huge, gorgeous blue wings and matching hair.
“Hey,” Noah said, smiling. “What’s up?”
“I got word of your tussle with the tiger shifter. How are you feeling?” The prince moved to the chair Nix had vacated.
“Tired and sore. But glad to be alive.”
“No doubt.” He eyed Noah critically. “You’re looking well. More so than you probably should, even after Zan’s healing.”
“Maybe.” He frowned. “Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Like what?”
“Like you’re trying to figure something out.”
“Perhaps that’s because I am trying to figure something out.” Moving his gaze away from Noah’s face, he stared at the cup on the rolling table for a long moment before pinning Noah with his golden eyes.
“I’ve been wondering for a while now . . . are you ever going to reveal to the others that you’re a Halfling?”
Noah’s jaw dropped open and he stared at Blue, stunned. “Say what?”
“A Halfling,” the prince repeated. “Half Fae, half human.”
“I know what a Halfling is, but why in the hell would you think I’m one? I’d know something like that! Wouldn’t I?”
Blue blinked at him. “You mean you didn’t have any idea?”
“Oh my God! Of course not!” He winced to hear himself practically yelling at Sariel. “Sorry. I’m just sort of shocked. How can you tell?”
“I’m a very powerful and ancient Fae,” Blue reminded him. “If another Fae were to cross into the human realm, I’d sense him from across your world. Sensing you in the same building wasn’t much of a challenge.”
“Huh. I don’t know whether to laugh or be insulted.”
“I don’t mean it to be insulting,” Sariel said quickly. “My abilities are simply fact, just as yours are.”
“Oh sure,” he said, voice dripping with sarcasm. “My near-useless dab of elementary magic is a fact. Maybe I can look deep into their eyes and tell them what color underwear they have on, or levitate a rolling chair. I’ll be the envy of the whole Alpha Pack. I can’t imagine why I haven’t told them what I can do.”
His friend made a noise of disapproval. “That’s no way to talk, especially when you can learn to open up your abilities and sharpen them.”
