Arric narrowed his eyes. “How do you know that?”
“Because, if you were, you’d already know what I know. So, when’s your twenty-fifth birthday?”
“In two days,” Arric replied.
“Really?” I asked, completely taken aback. “That’s… so… soon.”
“Of all the cosmic shit currently swirling around us, the proximity of our twenty-fifth birthdays is most interesting to you?”
“You don’t understand,” I said. “It usually takes years, decades or even centuries for mates to find each other. This is…strange. At least I think it is. I’m not really sure.”
“What do you mean, you’re not sure?”
I groaned in frustration at my inability to communicate with Arric. How could I possibly be expected to be the one to explain Cauld Ane mating to him? Him of all people? The man I could barely stand to be around one second, then be unable to think of no one else the next.
“I think we should wait,” I said. “In two days you will understand everything.”
“What will I understand?” he asked, gently cupping my face. “Isla, just breathe and talk to me.”
I took a few deep breaths and started over.
“You know the Cauld Ane live a lot longer than humans, right?”
Arric nodded. “I’m still getting used to the idea, but yes.”
“Well, we also mate for life.”
“Like lobsters?” he retorted.
“Contrary to popular belief, lobsters don’t mate for life. More like penguins.”
“You are aware that penguins are prostitutes, right?”
“What?” I squeaked.
“They will trade sex for rocks for their nests… aka, prostitution.”
“Well then Puffins or Gibbons.”
Arric raised an eyebrow. “You’re comparing us to birds and monkeys?”
“Well, it’s better than comparing us to seahorses,” I ground out. “Are you planning on giving birth to our babies?”
“Jesus, now, we’re not only together forever, but we’re having kids as well?”
“You’re not ready to have this conversation,” I rasped, my heart breaking.
“I’m not ready, oryou’renot ready?”
“Like I said, on your birthday, you’ll understand. I think we should just wait until then to talk.” I couldn’t stop tears from forming behind my lashes.
“I’m trying here, Isla. You’re just gonna have to give me a second.”
“The bottom line is, right now, you can’t feel the way I do and that hurts. By not feeling the same way I do, it feels like you’re rejecting me which cuts deeper than you can imagine.”
“But why? You only just met me a few days ago.”
“That doesn’t matter. Today when I look at you, I know you as my mate. Even if you wanted to be with me, you won’t feel the same until your birthday,” I ground out. “We’re deemed to be together for eternity, but you won’t know that in your soul until you turn twenty-five. That’s the ár mökunar, which means, year of mating.”
