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“I can speak to Sasha, if you wish,” Tavik offered.

“It’s certainly worth a try.” But I had a feeling that, with everything Sasha had endured, it would be difficult to convince her to open up if she didn’t want to.

After thanking Dulsa and escorting her out of my chambers, I returned to Cerise’s rooms. Fiona had tidied up the room and was dusting the furniture when I entered. I assured the maid I would stay with Cerise, and she gave a quick curtsy before leaving the room.

Cerise had barely moved since I’d last left. She was still dozing peacefully, the blankets tucked around her. I dragged a chair next to her bed and sat in it, leaning forward so I could capture Cerise’s hand in my own. Her skin was cool to the touch, and I gave her fingers a squeeze to try to bring warmth into them.

Cerise murmured something in her sleep and turned her head. I straightened in my seat, hope rising in my chest. When it seemed she was settling back into sleep, I gently lifted her fingers and brushed a kiss along her knuckles.

Her eyelids fluttered open, eyes fixing on me.

I gave her a half-smile. “Hello, witchling.”

She smiled sleepily. “Hello, Your Majesty.” She yawned and stretched one arm toward the ceiling. With a yelp, she dropped her hand, then peered under the blankets. Her face turned crimson as she gaped at me. “I’m naked!”

I chuckled. “Yes, that happens often around here. Don’t worry. Most people on the Isle are used to it.”

She pressed a hand to her forehead and shook her head. “Well, I’m not! Gods…” She sat up, but clutched the blanket around her chest.

I frowned. “Would you like me to leave so you can dress?”

Her blush deepened, but she shook her head. “No. I mean… Well, you already saw all of me yesterday, right? But I—I just…” She broke off, pressing her lips together tightly.

My chest tightened at the look of shame on her face. Did she regret what we had done on the beach? Did she wish she could take it back? Perhaps she had been heavily influenced by the dissonance between her and her wolf.

Was that what had driven her to kiss me? To make love to me? Was it just because she’d been about to rupture?

I swallowed hard, trying not to let these disparaging thoughts get the better of me. “How are you feeling?” I asked.

“Better. Stronger.” Her legs shifted under the covers, and a look of relief crossed her face. “I can move my limbs just fine.”

“And Sasha?”

Cerise was silent for a moment, her gaze going unfocused. “She’s there. Just… quiet.”

“That’s a good sign. It means she’s healing. Remember, the best way for a wolf to rest and recover is to have the human take over.”

Cerise nodded, chewing on her lower lip. “Okay. That’s good. I’m sorry, there’s still so much about this world that I need to learn. It’s—it’s all so new to me.”

“I know.” I leaned forward, laying my hand on the blanket next to her. I longed to take her hand in mine again, but she was clutching the sheet so tightly. I didn’t want to make her uncomfortable.

“Tavik seemed to get along nicely with Sasha,” Cerise said with a sly smile.

Unease wriggled in my stomach. Oh, gods. I couldn’t keep this from her anymore.

“What’s wrong?” Her smile faded.

I closed my eyes. I had really wanted to prolong this, but I couldn’t hide the truth anymore.

Even if it meant I would lose her, I had to be honest with her. She deserved that much.

“Cerise, there’s something you need to know.” I sat up in my seat, crossing my arms as I stared hard at the floor. “When—when I first brought you to the Isle, I went to see Dulsa, our healer. I was concerned about what had happened with Tavik in the cottage. And she—well, she told me that… you and I are Soulbound.”

I glanced up at Cerise to gauge her reaction, but she was frowning. “Soulbound? What does that mean?”

“It means our souls are connected to one another. That we feel drawn to one another. It’s a permanent link between two Mages who are destined to be together.”

Her jaw went slack, and her face paled. “Like soul mates?”