My cold glare turned on him, and everyone visibly shrunk down from me. Gods, I could feel my fury in the room.This is what she did to me, made me lose myself and my control.
“It’s not,” I sighed. “We don’t have a bond.”
“So maybe it needs time to snap into place,” he added.
I shook my head. “No. Old gods don’t have to wait. We see the bond immediately.”
Haden nodded slowly, eyeing me like I was some sort of mystery.
“Well, that’s good that you don’t care,” Cassius said casually, “since she’s looking for a husband.”
All of them stared straight through my composure, and Ihatedthat they could see me falling apart.
“I wish her nothing but the best in her search,” I said, forcing a smile.
Della reappeared, suddenly standing in front of me. She didn’t speak, just used her star mist to transport us to my secluded home in the woods.
It was far different from the shack I hid in for years as Brim, but the seclusion was the same. I liked that.
We landed in the living space. As her magic faded, I gave her a look to show I wasn’t impressed with being made to leave.
She crossed her arms.
“Are you sure you don’t care about Elowyn?” Her star-colored eyes watched me closely.
“I’m sure.” I didn’t hesitate.
“Are you sure she isn’t your mate?” she asked. “Her coven is requiring her to marry to maintain her crown. Once a queen reaches a certain age, there are duties she has to fulfill. The first is marriage.”
I didn’t care.
“I hope she finds a nice guy.”
Della let out an exaggerated breath. “Fine. I’ll drop it.”
“She isn’t my mate. I shouldn’t care, Della.” I met her gaze. “What kind of man would I be if I didn’t save myself for my mate? My mate deserves all of my firsts—not my seconds because I thought some witch was pretty.”
Della’s eyes found mine. This was the closest I had ever come to admitting anything.
“You shouldn’t think she’s pretty,” Della countered.
“I know. I’m convinced it’s an aftereffect of Malamay and Diath’s scheming, causing an imbalance in the realm.”
Della considered that for a moment before nodding.
“I understand. Don’t worry, you’ll find your mate soon enough. I can feel it.”
I hoped so. Because every time I saw Elowyn, it was getting harder to control these feelings.
Della pulled me into a hug.
“But if you do care, her coven is hosting a gathering tonight so she can meet suitors,” she whispered.
The unforgiving sting of jealousy buzzed through me. This was fine, and I wasn’t bothered by it in the slightest. Della gave me a small smile before her magic wrapped around her and she left my home.
I closed my eyes tightly, willing the sensation to pass. When I opened them, I was certain I had heard someone whisper Elowyn’s name.
I was losing my mind.
