I think of how King Theron has changed since taking a human mate. Not only has he ordered fewer executions, butbefore I departed Braemar, he was preparing to lift the lockdown on the city.
I suppress a growl as I fly into Ellonnar, heading for the tall blue building in the center of town. Will I lose part of myself because of the mating bond? Will it change me?
Even knowing it’s a possibility, I cannot imagine releasing Gwen.
The possessiveness surging through me deepens abruptly, becoming dark and almost violent in its strength. Before I can stop myself, my hold tightens around her, and this time I fail to suppress the growl rumbling from my chest.
Mine. My mate.
The intensity of the thought startles me.
Once, when I was very young, I overheard my parents whispering to one another late at night, believing I was asleep. They were speaking of my future in hushed, sorrowful voices. My mother said it was a shame that not only would I never inherit lands or people to govern, but I would never have a mate, never have a family of my own. My father tried to comfort her by saying I could still build an honorable life serving in the Winter Court army.
At the time, I pretended not to hear them.
But I never forgot.
And so, I have always believed the gods never intended me to have a mate, and eventually, I made peace with it.
Or at least I believed I had.
Now, after feeling the first undeniable pulses of the bond between Gwen and me, the mere thought of parting from her feels unbearable.
When she stirs in my arms and emits a tiny whimper, I realize I’m clutching her too tightly. I immediately loosen my hold.
Finally, I land in front of the blue building. The Sapphire Lantern. Though I’ve never stayed here before, I recall Commander Ashvale once saying it was Ellonnar’s finest inn. As I stare at the establishment, I hope that perhaps after a few days spent here, completely alone with Gwen, we will understand one another better.
Perhaps she will even start to sense the bond during this quick respite before we rejoin the Winter Court army.
Gently, I set her down, keeping my hands on her arms to make sure she isn’t dizzy. She peers around the town with wide eyes, and her excitement from earlier starts to return. Thankfully, no rush of guilt follows this time. I want to ask her about that guilt, but I doubt she would react well to the news that I can sometimes detect her emotions.
“Welcome to Ellonnar.” I place a hand on her lower back. “This is one of the first, and also one of the largest, fae settlements to rise outside the borders of the fae courts. Most of the inhabitants here are from the Winter and Autumn Courts.”
She turns to me and pales. “Winter and Autumn? Does that mean… everyone here is cruel?” She casts a worried glance at the passersby on the street, faefolk who barely look our way, as though fearing they might launch an unprovoked attack on us.
“I think you have a misconception about my people, my dearest. Many of us are cruel, yes, but our viciousness is usually reserved for our enemies.”
“You mean like humans. Like me.”
“From what I’ve heard, this is a peaceful settlement. No one here will hurt you. I promise. And if anyone dares to even look at you the wrong way, I will open their throat with the tip of my wing.”
I flare my wings in demonstration before vanishing them in a flash of white light.
Her eyes widen and she gasps. She tries to retreat a step, but I tighten my hold on her waist and guide her toward the steps of the inn.
“Are we getting separate rooms?” she asks, giving me a worried look.
After we reach the top of the steps, I pause and stare down at her. Though she holds my gaze steadily, I notice the slight trembling of her hands. Her emotions aren’t brushing against my mind at this moment, but I can tell she’s nervous.
Nervous about being alone with me.
“No, we are not getting separate rooms,” I say firmly. “You are mine, Gwen.Mine. And I intend to keep you close. Always.”
“So you plan to force yourself on me, then? Is that it?” She tries to pull away, but I catch her arm and draw her back to my side.
“Did I, or did I not, promise never to hurt you?”
She scoffs.
