Mate.
Lila was my Mate.
There is a knowing.I remembered my mother telling me that as a child, when she explained Mating to me; myKteerwould recognize my Mate, and she would know me.
I thought of the way I’d shared myself—my fears and past—with Lila, and the way she’d done the same for me. I thought of how I’d spent the last few days hyperaware of her, of her location and feelings and expectations.
A knowing.
No, this was ridiculous. We couldn’t be Mated, not after such a short amount of time. This was just lust, right? I’d fucked plenty of females, and yeah, none of them had affected me the way the weekend with Lila had, but that was just lust.
“Congratulations,T’mak,” Dakvaar murmured, drying his hands.
But I shook my head. “Don’tLittle Brotherme,” I muttered. “I’m not Mated.”
Dakvaar’s reflection cocked his head. “You sure?”
No, I wasn’t sure about anything. “She’s Fairbanks’ daughter. She’s a champion skater?—”
“So are you,” he pointed out, unreasonably.
“I’m an axe, a weapon.” My heart was beginning to pound, and I was afraid it was in fear. “You point me at the other team and throw, full commit.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about, Kardok.”
I was afraid I didn’t either. The metal of the counter was beginning to bend under my grip. “She’s not my Mate. She’s rich, she’s surrounded by rich people who think I’m just a primitive monster who is out of control.”
Dakvaar was frowning thoughtfully. “You sure about that?”
I shook my head frantically. “I’m not sure about anything.”
“If she thought that about you, yourKteerwouldn’t have chosen her as your Mate.”
Oh, gods below, was he right? My blood was pumping in my temples, giving me a wicked headache, and my chest was too tight.
“A princess belongs at the ballet.” I remembered what she’d said about her boyfriends. “At country clubs and gala events.”
Not in dive bars covered in sawdust, with axe marks on the walls.
She had fun there, though. And in the rain, after.
Lila had a primal, wicked side, just as I did, and I’d spent all weekend loving it. Could I also love her prim and proper side?
Love? Who the fuck said anything about love?
“Kardok.” Dakvaar’s hand closed around my shoulder, and I looked up to meet his eyes in the mirror. “Breathe.”
Oh, right. That would be smart.
He breathed with me for a minute, then nodded. “I can’t help you through this. You’re the only one who can guess the truth, and it might not be easy.”
Fuck no, it wasn’t easy!
Lila…
I closed my eyes, so I wouldn’t have to see that incriminating green glow in the mirror.
Because when I’d thought of Lila Fairbanks being my Mate, the one the gods and myKteerchose for me? I can’t deny the fierce burst ofjoywhich had gone through me.
