“The shirt dried in the sun,” I pointed out, nodding at it draped on the back of the chair.
“So did the salt,” Crimson said tartly.
Thystle rolled his eyes. “Ignore Crimson. You’re not trying to impress random people with your clothes. Just your date.”
“His name is Muzo,” I said.
Thystle grinned. “I know. I’ve met him before.” He tilted his head, giving me a curious look. “He’s cute. Not my type, obviously. But you’re pretty smitten with him, aren’t you?”
My fingers clenched on my knees. “He’s my fated mate,” I said under my breath.
Crimson paused filing through my meagre closet and blinked. After a moment, he sighed. “Then what are we wasting time for? Here, put these on.”
He grabbed a navy-blue shirt and black pair of trousers, then plopped them in my lap. It was a simple outfit, but I liked it that way.
I stood up from my seat. From my full height, Crimson and Thystle looked smaller. But nobody was as small as Muzo. He could practically fit in my pants pocket. Thinking about that made me smile.
I wasn’t used to this feeling. As the oldest, I was supposed to be the most experienced in all things, yet when it came to fated mates, it was brand-new to me. The instincts were there, but not the knowledge.
Crimson and Thystle were both dedicated partners and loving fathers. Perhaps it was time for me to askthemfor advice.
“What did you do,” I began slowly, “when you knew?”
A knowing grin spread over Crimson’s face. “Oh, Cobalt, you’re really in it now. Let me guess—you want to storm over to the beach, scoop up Muzo in your arms, then fly away into the sunset, leaving the Dragonfate Games and all its associated nonsense behind.”
“Yes,” I replied.
Crimson went on in a melodramatic tone. “And yet here comes Jade the Relentless, forcing you to stay the course. He insists on lying low, keeping your feelings a secret until the end of the Games, but howcanyou? You’re in love!”
I nodded. “That’s right.”
“It’s not that complicated,” Thystle said casually. “Just find him after filming hours if you need to, uh... sate your urges. That’s what I did with Matteo.”
“And I did with Taylor,” Crimson agreed.
I frowned in contemplation. Was it that simple? Perhaps I’d overthought it.
“Okay,” I said. “Thanks.”
Thystle tilted his head. “Is something bothering you, Cobalt?”
I stared at the floor. “Jade asked me to hide my feelings, but it’s hard. I already know who my fated mate is. I don’t want to pretend to be interested in the other omegas.”
“We know. The same thing happened to us,” Thystle agreed. “You don’t have to pretend to be attracted to them.”
That made me feel slightly better.
“I don’t want to ruin the show and destroy the opportunity for the rest of our family,” I murmured.
Sympathy flashed across Thystle’s face. “Oh, Cobalt. You’re not gonna ruin anything.”
Crimson stroked his chin. “Hang on. You saidyouknow who your fated mate is. The question is, doesheknow?”
I paused. That never crossed my mind.
“How would henotknow?” Thystle shot back, raising a brow. “Cobalt broke into his fucking room the day he arrived. He’d have to be dense not to—”
As Thystle cut himself short, he stared deadpan at Crimson.
