I grinned. "I'll keep that in mind. I'd like to keep my tailfeathers."
* * *
After my talk with Xander,there was no doubt left in my mind. I already knew with certainty that I was in love with Red, but now my qualms about the term fated mates had been put to rest. Ryker's misuse of the term was evil. He’d used it in an attempt to chain me down, but that wasn't what it was about. Just like flight, true love was freedom—the freedom of trust. To know that your mate would always be there for you, to remain by your side forever, to be your partner through all things in life.
That's what I wanted with Red.
And so, I knew what had to be done.
Red’s face was bright with happiness when I returned. Playing with Starry had put a big smile on his face that made me want to grab his cheeks and kiss him.
"Did you have a nice chat?" he asked.
"Sure did." I couldn't resist wrapping my arms around his waist. "You had fun with Sage and Starry, I presume?"
"Mostly. Aside from the part where she tried to stick her claws up my butt."
I laughed, pulling him closer and snaking my hand down his back. "Only I'm allowed to stick things up there."
Red grinned widely. He liked it when I got possessive. That was another thing I was learning. Ryker had been jealous to the point of abuse. This was different. The jealousy Red exhibited was playful, because he knew I had no interest in anyone other than him and I never would.
"Are you busy?" I asked.
"Does it look like I'm doing anything?"
I gently pinched his cheek. "Sassy fox. It's just polite to ask, you know."
“No, I'm not doing anything at the moment, unless you count standing here and breathing," Red said mockingly, then yelped when I squeezed his ass.
“That'll teach you," I teased.
"Fine. I'm listening."
I raised my head and scanned the area. There were a few rolling hills, but nothing close to what I needed. But there in the distance, a low mountain of pale blue rose. Perfect.
"I want to show you something," I said. "How do you feel about taking a little trip?"
Red's eyes gleamed with warmth. "With you, I'd go anywhere."
My heart did a flip. That was exactly what I wanted to hear.
13
Red
We shiftedinto our animal forms for the journey. I padded along the pebbly path of the lower slope as Orpheus lazily flew above me. I loved walking in his shadow—he was my dark angel, protecting me from the sky.
"I've never been up this mountain before," I said.
Orpheus let out a low caw of laughter. "It's less a mountain and more a very big hill, but it'll do."
"For what exactly?"
He swooped down and raked his talons through my fur playfully. "It's a surprise."
I pounced in the air, snapping my jaws close to him with a click sound. He swerved around me, dancing out of my reach.
I didn't know what Orpheus had planned, but I was excited anyway. If nothing else, this was a romantic getaway for the two of us, without the pack or kids around to interrupt. Maybe I should've taken Hugo and Xander's advice about vacation time more often. I had a suspicion that with Orpheus around, that was about to become a distinct possibility.
