“Why, exactly, is today going to be emotional for Asteria?” Delia raised a brow at me, leaning forward and grabbing my hand suddenly. “Please tell me you aren’t going to force a confrontation, Calix?”
I shook my head, “It’s not like that. I spoke with her last night.” Delia cocked her head, her eyebrows furrowing, and I continued before she could ask any follow-up questions. “She agreed to meet today so I could explain some things to her. It’s important we figure out her magic. And if she is who I think she is.”
“What doesthatmean?” Ilta asked, mystified, and I looked between the two.
Before I could answer, I heard another voice interrupt, “Calix knows who Asteria really is. Only he isn’t telling.”
I glared at Eryx as he plopped down next to Delia, giving her a soft smile that she was too shocked to return.
“What do you mean?” she asked, flustered by Eryx’s sudden appearance.
I sighed, tilting my head back, as Eryx continued, “I mean, he knows who her parents are.”
I felt something hit my chest and tilted my head back up to find Delia had thrown a piece of bread at me. I raised a brow incredulously as she glared back at me.
“How could you keep that information a secret?” she ground out, and I blinked, surprised to see Delia angry. She was usually more even-tempered, but apparently, she let her claws loose when it came to defending her friends.
Surprisingly, Ilta smiled at me until Delia kicked her foot, and Ilta kicked back, starting a foot war between the two that had me rolling my eyes. Eryx snickered, getting the two of them to turn their attention to him. I smirked as he raised his hands in surrender at their dual glares.
“What are you smiling about?” Delia finally demanded of Ilta.
She sighed, rolling her eyes, “Think about it, Dee. He hasn’t told any of us, and he’s arranged to talk to Asteria about it. I’ve worked as Calix’s secretary for years, I know how he thinks. And he very obviously thinks Asteria deserves to find out that information first.” She turned to smile at me. “Which is absolutely correct, by the way.”
Delia deflated a bit, her cheeks turning a rosy hue as she blushed. Eryx watched her, his eyes going a bit out of focus as she colored. I’d been fairly distracted by Asteria during the Festival of Faunus, but I distinctly remembered the two of them together that night. It had been years since the last time they’d gotten together, but I knew Eryx still watched her whenever he thought he could get away with it.
“She’s right, you know.” Baach dropped in from out of nowhere, landing in the chair at Ilta’s other side. She gave him a charming smile that he returned. Eryx watched them enviously, looking back at Delia with moon eyes.
If at least one pairing could get their heads out of their asses, I’d consider it a miracle.
“I thought you were right behind me?” Eryx raised a brow at Baach, who nodded.
“I was. I just figured I’d see if what you were talking about was interesting enough to stick around.” He winked, and Eryx rolled his eyes.
“But as I was saying, that’s definitely information Asteria should hear first. Especially from her mate,” Baach continued, and I nodded in agreement.
Ilta sighed happily, “It’s so amazing that you two are mates. I was rooting for you both, you know.”
“You were?” I couldn’t help asking. Harpina and Titan had made their own feelings clear. Both thought that I had to honor my mate and stay clear of any distractions. Eryx just didn’t want me to hurt Asteria. I hadn’t realized any of them had actually been in favor of Asteria and me.
“Of course!” She giggled, her eyes cutting to Baach, before looking back at me. “I could see the chemistry between you right away. I knew you’d be good together. It was just a matter ofyourealizing. Dummy.” She pushed my shoulder playfully, and I rolled my eyes.
“I always knew that,” I admitted quietly, and the others seemed to fall silent in turn.
“Good.” Ilta finally nodded decisively. “Now, how are you going to show her that?”
The others leaned in as I tilted my head in thought. Trying to think of ways to show Asteria, to prove to her as I claimed I would, that she was it for me, and that I was a worthy mate for her in turn.
A slow smile came to my face. I knew how to start, if nothing else. What she really needed now, was to come to terms with the changes in her life.
And I could certainly help with that.
* * *
WatchingAsteria shift from foot to foot, clearly anxious to be face to face after our shared dream, felt like someone stabbing me with my own sword. The magic blade digging deep before being twisted. I sighed, shaking my head almost imperceptibly, reminding myself I needed to go at her pace. Unleashing all of my wants on her wasn’t fair.
I knew this.I did.
But it didn’t stop my body from rebelling against me. I could feel my heart rate pick up at the sweet scent of raspberries and vanilla that always drove me to distraction, now underlined more heavily with the scent of starlight. It didn’t stop my hands from twitching, wanting to reach out and pull her against me.
