“I know it’s annoying, that ‘when you know, you know’saying.But in this case it’s true. It’s a visceral reaction. When you find your mate, they just feel like home. Everything about them—their scent, the way their touch feels.”
His thumb skims over my spine, leaving behind a trail of goosebumps.
“Is it—like a pull of sorts?”
“It can feel like that. But it’s more than just attraction. It’s an instant recognition and this excruciating, desperate need for that person. You know immediately you would do anything to see them smile, to make them happy—even if you’re not the answer. There is nothing you would deny them.”
It’s my turn to swallow, the weight of his words wrapping around me and drawing me closer.
“You mean it can be one-sided? That seems so unfair.”
“There are few things in life that are ever truly equal or fair.” He smiles, his voice melancholy. “It isn’t always reciprocal. Just like accepting the bond isn’t mandatory.”
“So thereisa choice,” I confirm. His brows draw together. “If someone really didn’t want it, they could choose differently?”
“Why are you asking me all this?”
We’ve stopped dancing. We stand perfectly still, attached to each other while ballgowns swirl around us like a tornado of tulle and glitter.
“I don’t know, just curious, I guess.”
“Do you think you?—”
“No.” My answer is too quick. Probably see-through. “I mean—I would know.Like you said. Right?”
It’s a test. I wait for his response, holding my breath, holding his stare. Another tight swallow.
“Right. Of course.”
Disappointment settles over me. “You seem to know a lot about the subject.”
“I’ve heard from people who’ve experienced it.”
“But not fromfirsthandexperience?”
He looks at me, saying nothing. I decide to come right out and say it.
“Do you have a mate, Zadyn?”
His jaw clenches. But he doesn’t answer.
Tension sizzles in the sliver of air between us. The dance comes to a close, but we’re frozen in time, his fingers grazing the skin of my lower back, his eyes on my mouth, stirring a string of dirty thoughts in my mind.
“It’s time!”
The room explodes with joyful shouts. We break apart, like two dogs zapped by a shock collar.
Confetti rains down on us as Eaton and Sorscha are hoisted into the air on a set of gilded chairs and towed into the hall. I lose Zadyn in the rush of bodies and find Kai sunken into one of the velvet alcoves, a crown of laurel leaves adorning his head.
I plop down beside him as a female he’d been dancing with earlier saunters over and flings herself onto his lap. She’s clearly had a couple of drinks—her lids heavy, limbs loose. Kai tenses, then gently shifts her off, depositing her at his side. Bristling at his blatant rejection, she stands and stomps away.
I gape at him. “What was that all about?”
“What?” he asks, dusting off his lap as if she’d left behind a string of cooties.
“I’ve never seen you turn down a pretty girl. Especially one so…readily available.”
He shrugs, indifferent. “Eh. Not my type.”
