Celine raises one eyebrow. “And I’m pretty sure you’re manic. Do you want to talk about it?”
I throw my head back and groan at the ceiling. It’s made of rock, like everything else in this house. Shiny and black, gray marbled veins run through the stone, but they’re only noticeable if you look closely.
“I’m the reason you can’t go home.” I tug on the ends of my hair until the bite of pain overpowers the rattle in my chest.
“Yeah,” Celine says. “And I’m the reason you’re here in the first place. Should we embrace our guilt and walk off the side of the mountain together? Romeo and Juliet style?” She makes a whistling sound, then pantomimes a big splat.
I force a smile and shake my head. “We aren’t that dumb, baby.”
“Exactly.” Celine walks to my side, wraps her arms around my waist, and rests her head under my chin. “We’ve got this, Luca. I-I know we do. We didn’t make it this far to lose each other now.”
“Isn’t that what all the couples in the sad stories think, though? No one falls in love expecting it to end in tears.”
Celine hums softly. “Don’t get mad at me, but I think I did. It’s why I panicked when you told me you loved me. It wasn’t because I didn’t love you back; it was because I thought it would trigger the end for us. Move us into our final act or something.”
“That’s a little spooky.” Shivering, I inhale and fill my nose with Celine. Her natural scent is mixed with Riven’s unfamiliar toiletries, but she still smells like mine. I promised her I would always protect her and never lie, but I don’t know how to do both this time.
“Your basilisk,” she whispers. “Is it afraid?”
The rattling in my chest stops. In this, at least, I can be honest. “Not when we’re with you.”
Celine squeezes me tighter, as if she can keep me intact with her strength alone. “I’ll protect your basilisk too, Luca. It’s part of you.”
I make a noise of protest, and she presses one finger to my lips. “No, I need you to understand this. I loveyou—all of you—and that includes the basilisk. You’ve got to love yourself.”
I frown. I do love myself, don’t I? Not in an annoying, self-obsessed douchebag way, but I’m a confident guy. I look out for the people I care about, I make a mean drink, and... pretend the monster inside me is temporary. A fever I’ll eventually sweat out.
The realization makes me feel exposed. A lightbulb turning on, not above my head like an enlightened cartoon character, but inside my skull, roasting my insides until I can practically smell burning brain.Fucking gross, but accurate.
The air in the room fizzes and condenses into a tall, cloaked figure. Riven stares at us blankly for a second, then scans our surroundings, as if he’s visually confirming that he found us cuddling in his bedroom.
“Busted,” I say, nibbling on the shell of Celine’s ear.
She pulls away from the hug and faces him. “Did you learn anything?”
He nods. “I only want to explain it once,” he mutters. “Come to the living room.” Then he strides from the room, his cloak billowing dramatically.
I roll my eyes and flap my hands behind my ass as I trail after him. Celine chuckles, but my heart is racing. Something tells me I’ll need every drop of calm I can find to handle whatever is about to come out of my enemy’s mouth.
“We aren’t fated mates.” I cross my arms. “I’m pretty sure those are made up, anyway.”
The living room is open-concept. The glass wall adds to the impression of endlessness, but it’s too small for me right now. Istand a few feet away from the couch, trying to get my pulse under control. It’s especially embarrassing since everyone in the room can hear it.
“They aren’t made up.” Ciprian glances between Celine and me, squinting like he’s trying to see inside us. “I know a fated pair.”
I cock my head at his tone. Evasive Ciprian is back. He’s become so honest recently; it takes me off guard to see him hiding another secret. I can’t handle it.
“And?” I demand. “How did they know?”
“The pull.” Ciprian scratches his chin and shoots me a wary look. “Until they sealed the bond, it physically hurt them to be apart.”
Definitely not fated mates, then.I glance out the window, surprised by how much it stings to hear something I already know confirmed. Ice is falling—faster than snow—tiny frozen meteors crashing to the ground.
“So what?” I turn to Riven. “I’m supposed to gnaw on Celine and hope something happens? That’s your plan?”
“Your intent matters. Fate has a magic of its own, and choice does too.”
“Oh, yeah. How could I forget? I’m supposed tomanifestthis mystical chosen mate bound that I’ve never heard of before. That’s good stuff, Riven. Should I click my heels together too?”
