Page 75 of Starlight

“It is something you need to be sure about. Something Akai needs to be sure about, given the long and complicated past you two have.” Bob fixed him with a look that stripped away all lies and bared his soul.

Cold raced down Cole’s spine. Bob knew.

Somehow, he knew about Cole’s cousins and Akai’s sister and everything.

His mouth opened, but no words came out. Did he pretend to be ignorant or ask questions?

“It is complicated,” he agreed rather lamely, because there was nothing more he could say without incriminating Akai. But if Bob knew and Akai hadn’t gotten in trouble yet, was there really a problem?

Or did Bob only suspect? In which case, he couldn’t confirm.

His pulse drummed in his ears as he stood there under the thunderbird’s sharp gaze. Was Bob assessing if he knew the truth?

Did Bob think he was hanging out with the monster who killed his cousins unwittingly?

He swallowed the urge to say something.

Then Bob nodded. “He will be waiting for you.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

Entering the area protected by magic was like entering another world. Monsters were walking around, or sitting around, talking and laughing. No doubt catching up after not seeing each other for a while.

Cole followed Bob along paths that he wouldn’t have been able to see without the token. He wouldn’t have been able to see the monsters either. This entire world existed alongside his, and he’d never noticed. Even after seeing Akai the first time, he hadn’t believed.

How could he go back to his world, knowing but never seeing?

He didn’t want to go back.

But going forward meant effectively marrying a monster. He didn’t even know how long Akai lived. What would it be like to live for decades longer than he should? Did that mean being old for longer, or would aging be delayed, too?

He adjusted the weight of the bag slung over his shoulder and tried not to swivel his head and stare at everything they passed.

There were stalls with clothing, shoes, cooking items, musical instruments, food, and things he didn’t recognize. His skin vibrated with excitement, and he kept reminding himself to keep his mouth shut, lips pressed into what he hoped was an easy smile.

Bob stopped at a stall that still had an empty table. “This is Akai’s place. Because he can’t fly at the moment, he has a platform instead of a nest.” Bob pointed up the tree.

Cole lifted his gaze. Sure enough, wedged between the branches was a platform, though it was a little more than that as it was protected by a sloping roof. Perhaps an aerial lean-to was more appropriate. Akai wasn’t up there.

He turned around. While he’d been amazed by everything at ground level, there was more happening overhead.

“Where is he?”

“I don’t know. But you are safe to wait up there for him. He will show you around and give you landmarks, so you don’t get lost. The gathering covers quite a large area, and while your token allows you in, if you wander too far, you may not be able to find it again.”

Bob was not there to babysit him until his mate got back. “Okay, thank you. Is there anything I should do?”

“Aside from helping to set up the nest and stall? No.”

“And other humans?”

“You’ll see them around, but there are no human-centered gatherings if that is what you’re asking.”

Had it been? He didn’t know.

“Yeah, of course. I’ll just go…” He pointed up, noting the rope ladder hanging down the side.

The platform was about four yards up. Not all that high, but enough that between the height, sloped roof, and branches, it was not easy to see in. If he hung a few clothes up, it would be very private.