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“I’m sorry,” Gabby whispered. What was wrong with her? She was better than this. Stronger. Hadn’t she left Felix to prove her strength?
Now wasn’t the time for her to lose it.
A hand, warm and comforting, pressed on her shoulder. Nikolas. He’d found her when she’d been alone, terrified and angry at the world. He trained her. Taught her how to be strong the way Felix never did. And caught her when she’d fallen.
Then there was Maria, who’d shown her being a woman didn’t mean she was weak. Who’d been her confidant in the darkest of times. Who’d listened to her while she had to talk to someone about Felix. Maria had saved her just as much as Nikolas had.
The three of them had built House Haven. She’d wanted to create a refuge for those who didn’t belong. They’d all needed a place to belong. To call home.
Even during her absence, when she’d chosen to go aground instead of obeying the mating bond’s pull to return to Felix, Nikolas and Maria had protected Haven.
There was no one else she’d rather have at her side when she faced Felix again.
Gabby took a deep breath, drawing strength from the two people she trusted and loved the most in the world.
When she no longer felt like swooning at the sight of the next new, unknown thing, she straightened. “Thank you. I’m good.”
“Take a seat. That way, it’s easier for you to pass out,” Maria said, her grin returning.
“I will not pass out.” But Gabby sank into the couch cushions with Maria beside her. Nikolas returned to the leather chair, silent as a ghost.
She avoided looking at Maria’s clothes, grateful Nikolas had the foresight to prepare the emerald gown with gold edgings for her.
Once the initial shock dissipated, Gabby heard something else. A heartbeat that wasn’t hers. An unmated vampire didn’t have a heartbeat, unless…
Could it be?She gasped. “You’re mated.”
Maria glowed with joy. How had she not noticed it instantly? “Yep!”
“Who is it? When? How?” Maybe she would faint after all.
“I’ll introduce him to you soon. I didn’t want to overwhelm you, and I was right.”
Gabby was speechless. Maria, mated. Her friend knew Gabby’s feelings toward the mating bond and had vowed never to fall prey to it.
Yet, here they were. Maria was in love with her mate, and they were happy. No one could doubt that simple truth looking at her.
Gabby had been happy with Felix once upon a time. Until he’d imprisoned her in his castle, his love transforming into a ruthless possessiveness that choked the life out of her. But Maria knew all that, so Gabby said nothing. Her friend didn’t need Gabby’s past to drag her down and destroy what she had with her mate.
She is not me, and her mate is not Felix.
“I am excited for you. I cannot wait to meet him,” Gabby said finally.
“You’ll love him. He’s a doctor, and he—”
Nikolas coughed, cutting off Maria’s ramble. “I’m not sure this is the best way to spend Gabby’s time right now.”
“No, this is important,” Gabby said with a pout.
“He’s right,” Maria said in a more subdued tone and sighed. “I heard about the Council, and about the Gathering.”
The oppressive weight was back. Gabby’s shoulders drooped. “Yes.”
Maria took Gabby’s hand in hers. “Maybe it’s for the best. Maybe it’s time to stop running.”
“But four days… it’s too short…”
At Gabby’s despondency, Maria scowled. Her hazel gaze hardened to stone, the same look she always had before they went into battle.
