Page 123 of The Reaping Rose

“Me either. Callum researched it for me, but the records contradict each other. Some live as long as Fae, others age at the speed of humans. With my hair continuing to change at the rate it does, he believes my mortality hasn’t slowed as a Fae’s would have by now. But again, being half-Fae, we won’t know for a few more years.”

“What do you hope for?”

I glance toward the window, considering her question. My mortality has never bothered me. But now, knowing that I might live many more years while my mate suffers the Beating, I don’t know how to answer that question.

“Immortality with Wilder sounds like everything I could ever want, but the fates will do as they wish. Without him… I’d rather join his soul in the After.”

“He told us about the Beating.” Perame frowns.

“Some things even magic can’t fix.” I swallow hard. “I don’t know how much time we have either way, but I’ll take what I can get. That’s all that matters in the end. Do you like Seren?”

“Yes, more than I have anyone in a while. But I’ve never entertained a relationship with a human. It’s rare I entertain them at all. But for her… Do you know she collects flower petals?”

I shake my head, not knowing much about Seren even though we grew up a few houses apart. We were never friends. She was always busy with her family, and I was distracted by Callum and Letia.

“She said it’s her way of preserving a moment in time. A reminder of beauty when Alyssium would strip it all away so quickly. I’ve never thought much about a flower, but she always sees the beauty in life.” Perame sighs. “And now she’ll barely talk to me.”

“Don’t give up. Find a way like Wilder did with me. You deserve to be happy, and if she makes you happy, you should find a way to get her to talk to you. You have a lot to offer, Perame.”

She rolls her eyes. “Like my passive magic. It’s not flashy or impressive.”

“Who said Seren cares about your magic or wants anything flashy?”

“She doesn’t,” Perame agrees. “She cares about things I haven’t thought of in a long time. The downside of immortality. She sees the beauty in things I forget are temporary because I don’t pay attention anymore. I’m out of my depth with her.”

A wistful sigh leaves her lips, and it sounds more like love than being out of her depth, but I keep that to myself.

“You’re closer to figuring it out than you think.”

“I hope you’re right.” Perame picks up her book, turning her attention back to the pages with a scrunch of her nose. “For now, I guess I’m stuck with vampires. I don’t understand the appeal of these creatures.”

“You’ve never shared blood?” I hitch an eyebrow, and Perame laughs.

“Oh, I’ve definitely shared blood. That rush…” She shivers like she can feel it right now. “What’s the point of bedding someone if you’re not going to have fun with it?”

Fun in bed is something I didn’t fully understand until I met Wilder. There’s relief to be found in the body of another, but it’s nothing like what unwinds when I’m with my mate. The urge to be closer to him grows with every passing day.

I sense Perame is also tense from the lack of company in this realm. She struck me as quiet at first. Sweet. Innocent even. The longer I spent in the Quietus Court, the more I learned she was just as flirty as her brother, but more subtle about it. And now, we’re both going without.

“Blood sharing is⁠—”

“Hot.” I finish her sentence, shivering at the thought of Wilder’s teeth piercing my flesh.

Only one thing is greater than him drinking from me, and that’s me drinking from him. His hot blood flowing through me, warming me to the bone.

My toes curl simply thinking about it.

Perame chuckles, eyeing me like she knows exactly what just crossed my mind. “Yes, very hot. But blood isn’t food for us; it’s fun. With vampires it’s all blood, blood, blood.” Her face puckers. “Too messy without the perks of an orgasm.”

“Who says they’re not having an orgasm?” I challenge. “You’re just reading the wrong book. There was this one back at the village where he’d watch her through her windows. Until one night, she left it open, and she woke to find him standing over her. Let me tell you, she was not scared, and there were plenty of orgasms. With and without blood.”

Perame slaps the book shut and shoves it aside. “Clearly, I’m reading the wrong book. What are you holding back from me over there?”

“This is something different.” I glance down at the one in my hands. “Werewolves.”

“Those aren’t real.” She rolls her eyes.

“That’s not the point.” I tilt my chin up. “Besides, it’s not like vampires are real either.”