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“Close to what?” I whisper.
He pulls back from me, ever-so-slightly. “It doesn’t matter, does it? Not the timing. Not that we’re not ready. We’re mates. And if we’re mates, you’re the one person I can’t lie to. You’re the one person who needs to know everything too.”
“Everything about what?” I ask, trembling as his lips suck the juncture of my throat and neck.
He stops and then takes a small step back from me. His expression unreadable. “What if I told you that the dark fae aren’t as evil as we’ve been led to believe and that light and dark fae aren’t so different from each other? That this idea that purebred light fae are somehow better than anyone and anything else is all a lie?”
What would I say? Dark fae have always frightened me a little because of their terrifying powers. And yet, they are so rare they’re almost like nightmares to scare children, rather than living, breathing people. But I’m not a pure light fae myself, so the notion that this man might feel we aren’t inferior to him excites me. Perhaps there is a reason he’s my mate.
“Ann?” He practically purrs my name.
I jerk, realizing I hadn’t answered. “I’d want to learn more,” I tell him honestly.
His lips curl into a smile, and he takes my hand. “Do you trust me?”
“I barely know you,” I say, an unexpected laugh exploding from my lips.
“But do you trust me?”
I realize he isn’t joking. Normally, I’m not the least bit trusting. I try to come across as naive and maybe a bit dumb, but deep inside I hold everyone at a distance, fearing if they get too close they might learn my secrets. But when I search inside of myself, I’m startled to realize I do trust him.
Maybe it’s the mate bond. Maybe it’s because my body is still tingling from his touch. I don’t know. But the words come easily. “Yes. Yes, I do.”
He squeezes my hand lightly for a second, then turns and begins jogging out of the graveyard, pulling me along with him. And I work damn hard, once again, not to limp. Not to show I’m injured in any way. Because that isn’t a secret I’m ready to share with anyone yet, not even him.
My thoughts race as I try not to focus on how good his hand feels curled around mine. What do I know about Rayne and his family? His father is technically an impossibly rare dark fae, but it’s been accepted by all fae that Rayne is purely of his mother’s blood. His poor sister, on the other hand, is said to be purely a light fae by her family, but no one really believes it. Everyone who meets her whispers that she takes after her father, although no one is foolish enough to actually speak out against them.
They are powerful. So powerful that they could have been kings and queens a long time ago. Technically, we are all lords and ladies, all of a similar rank, and yet, everyone knows where each family falls in line. What’s more, Rayne’s family has close ties with the other most powerful families. My parents will be ecstatic that he’s my mate.
Only, none of that really matters. Not really. If the powers that be had determined we are mates, then I need to know him. Not his family. Not the legend of him. Buthim.
And, I guess, wherever he is taking me now might actually tell me something about him.
I never dive into things without thinking. I’ve never just raced off with a man into the darkness. But that’s only the person I pretend to be: quiet, a careful thinker, a planner, and completely boring in every way. Maybe tonight I have a chance to actually figure out who I am when I’m not pretending.
Can Ann be brave? Can Ann follow her heart instead of her head?
Maybe, my thoughts whisper back.
We stop at a dark, stout building with vines all over it, tucked into a lonely corner of campus.
“What’s that?” I ask, a little breathless.
“This is a secret no one wants us to know about. A way to get under the school and explore the tunnels concealed beneath.”
I look at him, wondering if he’s serious, then realize he is. “You want to show me something in the dark tunnels under the school?”
He surprises me by turning around and closing the distance between us. “I’m doing this all wrong. Finding my mate has fried my brain. I’m not thinking clearly.” He releases a slow breath. “You and I are meant to be together. One day, we’ll get married, probably have children, and I’ll ensure that you never want for anything. Not money. Not anything you ever want, including love and affection. But I need to know…do you want Rayne, the powerful son of a ruling house? Do you want to just see me the way everyone sees me? Because I have secrets, Ann, and I wonder if you’ll regret learning them.”
This man…can he read my mind? Can he see inside the deepest parts of me? Because his words seem to echo my own thoughts. I have secrets too. And if he finds out I’m a half-breed, he’ll still marry me, but will he hate me? Should I tell him the truth or continue letting this burn inside of me forever?
“I have secrets too,” I finally admit.
His eyes widen as they run over me. “I want to know what they are. I want to know everything about you.”
“I want to know the real you too,” I answer with a smile.
So, there would be no secrets between us. But will we regret this moment? This promise between mates?
