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What happens when you are mated?I wonder. Does the inner turmoil quiet down? That sounds appealing. But a mating ceremony does not guarantee eternal happiness. My parents have taught me that. I do not want to trade one form of mental anguish for another, namely regret, for the rest of my life.
Still, I suspect if being near her is this much agony, being farther away is not going to bring me any solace. Far from it. I learned that lesson the hard way.
I take a small trail to a rock outcropping and look out over the village. I sit and watch the sun go down. The night is cloudy, and the Skylights are barely visible. Part of me wants to spend the night here, which is beyond stupid. I have no gear and the temperature will plummet.
But curled up and shivering on the cold rock would mean that I wouldn’t be thinking about her. And that is really appealing.
“Don’t be an idiot.”
I say it out loud as I get up and start my walk down the mountain. Since Mira isn’t in the inn, I go sit in the bar and have a drink. It quiets my anxious mind temporarily, but the question of when I should reveal that she’s my fated mate still plagues me. I don’t want to rush her, but it also feels like it could be dishonest to wait too long.
The next morning, I head out early, but she’s already behind the front desk. Her pretty face lights up with a warm smile that makes my stomach twist.
“How was your night?”
Terrible. I missed you with every fiber of my being. Why didn’t you invite me into your home, your bed? Don’t you want me as much as I want you?
“Fine.”
“Climbing again?” She looks at my gear.
“It’s what I do.”
We stare at each other. Being this close to her, I can even smell her just a tiny bit, and it calms me. Somehow, I know everything will be alright.
“Would you like to go to dinner tonight?”
The question comes out of my mouth before I realize it. She turns her head, looking out the window. “Skysight? I’d like that.”
Some guests walk in through the front door. We quickly settle on a time, and I leave. The clouds are quickly burning off as the sun rises. The warmth on my face is nothing compared to the heat racing through my body. I can’t remember the last time I felt this invigorated.
My first climb is my best time yet, even with the pack. I quit a little early, anxious to shower and get ready for our dinner. As I head back to the inn my comm dings. It’s my mother. I feel so good that I answer it immediately, something I never do.
“Are you still in town?”
“Hello, Mother, yes.”
She doesn’t say anything. I can picture the look of displeasure on her face.
“Do you have plans for dinner? We were thinking of going out.”
“I do, at Skysight at 7:30.”
“May we join you?”
“I have a friend coming.” More than a friend, but I don’t feel up to explaining that.
“So, we’ll see you there.”
“I guess so.”
I don’t sound very happy about it, because I’m not. I wait for her to chastise me for my attitude, but I realize she has hung up.
I walk quickly back to the inn. Mira is not at the desk. I’m equal parts relieved and disappointed. I head over to her apartment a little earlier than anticipated, wanting to warn her of what the night might hold.
“My parents are coming to dinner with us.”
“Your parents?”
