Terra laughs beside me. It’s a low, knowing sound.
“What?” I ask, not taking my eyes off Sebastian.
“If only you could smell what I am smelling.” Her voice carries amusement. “You want that male so badly. Your heart is racing, too.”
Heat rises to my cheeks. “Just because I want him doesn’t mean that I can have him.”
“Such a human statement.” Terra makes another clicking noise. “I don’t understand you at all. It should not be this complicated. If two people want to rut, then they should rut. If they want to mate and are in love, then that’s what they should do.” She sighs heavily. “You humans make everything so difficult. You love him, so take him to your furs and mate him.”
It isn’t as simple as that.
If only it were.
I don’t respond because Sebastian is walking toward me now. The shifterfae, both in human and beast form alike, part for him. He eats up the ground in long strides, his eyes never leaving mine.
“It’s time for me to take my leave,” Terra says, stepping back. “The two of you need time alone.”
Then she’s gone, slipping into the crowd, and Sebastian is standing before me.
For a long moment, we just look at each other. I drink him in. His gaze travels over me too, taking in my dress, and something warm flickers in his expression.
Then he reaches for me.
His arms wrap around me, pulling me close, and goddess help me, I hug him back. I bury my face against his chest and breathe him in.
He holds me like I’m something precious. Like he’s afraid I might disappear if he lets go.
When I finally pull back, I study his face.
“It is good to see you. You must be tired; would you like to be taken to one of the chambers?” I ask. “You could rest and replenish.”
He shakes his head.
“I am sure that you are hungry and very thirsty after your long—”
I stop talking when he gives another shake of his head.
“What do you want, Sebastian?”
His gaze holds mine. “Will you walk with me?”
A startled laugh escapes me. “Haven’t you walked enough for one day?”
The corner of his mouth twitches. “I think I can manage for a short while. The forest is quite beautiful. I’d like to be away from the court.” His voice roughens. “I want to be alone with you.”
I should say no. Every rational part of my brain is screaming to do just that, but I can’t. He came all this way. I have to be polite. I need to hear him out.
“Alright,” I say. “Let’s walk.”
We leave the cave entrance behind, moving past the gathered shifterfae and into the forest. The trees close around us. The sounds of the court fade until all I can hear is birdsong and the soft crunch of our footsteps on the forest floor. The hem of my dress brushes against the wild grass as we walk, catching on twigs and brambles.
We walk in silence for a while. I steal glances at Sebastian, trying to read his expression. He looks troubled. His jaw is tight.
“Are you still worried about the integrity of the shifterfae?” I ask finally. “Is that why you wanted to be away from the court? You needn’t worry about—”
“That’s not why,” he says with a shake of his head.
I fall silent, waiting.
