“I agree,” Riley said, and she was grinning now. “I like knowing who my enemies are.”
“She’s not your enemy,” I tried.
“She literally sneered at me.”
“She sneers at everyone.”
“But she wants my fiancé.”
The table went silent.
“YOU PROPOSED?” Thessa’s voice cracked on the word. Her jaw dropped, her gaze darting between me and Riley. “When? How? Did you do it properly? Did you get down on one knee? Wait...” She looked at Riley’s hand. “Where’s the ring?”
I froze. I hadn’t told them. With everything that had happened, the heat, the reunion, the chaos, I’d completely forgotten tomention that I’d asked Riley to marry me back in the human world.
“I... yes. I proposed.”
“AND YOU DIDN’T TELL US?”
“Things have been somewhat hectic...”
“That’s no excuse!” But Thessa was grinning now, delighted despite her outrage. “Mother! Father! Caelan proposed and didn’t tell anyone!”
“We gathered as much,” my mother said, her smile warm. “The claiming mark made it rather obvious, dear.”
“But still! Details! We need details!”
The chaos continued. Questions about the proposal, demands for a proper ceremony, my father commenting dryly that at least someone in the family could commit. Then Thessa’s expression shifted.
Darker. Sadder.
“Speaking of commitments,” she said, her voice carefully casual. “How is... how is Jade?”
My chest tightened. I knew that tone. Knew the pain behind it.
My sister had been suffering, separated from her mate by realms, by duty, by circumstance. Just as I had been. The difference was, I’d gotten my mate back. She was still waiting.
“She’s well,” Riley said softly, clearly sensing the shift in mood. “She misses you. Talks about you constantly.”
Thessa’s jaw tightened. “Does she.”
“She does. She showed me the necklace you gave her. Wears it every day. She touches it when she’s thinking of you. Which is... often.”
My sister’s composure cracked. Just for a moment. Just enough for me to see the depth of her longing.
“The portals are stabilizing,” I said quietly, reaching over to squeeze her hand. “Now that the immediate crisis is over, we can discuss... arrangements.”
“Arrangements,” Thessa repeated. But there was hope in her eyes now. Fragile, tentative hope.
I knew exactly how she felt. The agony of separation. The desperation to be reunited with the other half of your soul. I’d lived it for what felt an eternity. Even if it was only days for me.
I’d never stop feeling guilty about that.
Riley caught my eye across the table. She was smiling. That real, bright smile that made my heart stutter.
“What?” she asked.
“Nothing.” I reached over, took her hand. “Just... this. I love this.”
