“Fae people can bemated?” Airess asked in disbelief. This was certainly something she never learned about in her schooling. It was moments like these that she realized how sheltered and in the dark she was about the outerworld. Living in Luciena made her blind.
“Yes.”
“And… do you think you will find your mate now that you’re back here?” Airess asked sharply. She wished she could stifle this sinking feeling in her stomach, an emotion cutting true and deep to her very core. If Taryn found his mate here it would change everything. It would be…devastating.
Perhaps this was the moment she realized she was starting to fall for him. Hell, maybe she already had. The thought of someone else having him, touching him,beingwith him, made bile rise up her throat. Her body rejected the idea. Her chest tightened as she waited for his response.
“No, I haven't," Taryn confirmed. “And I hope it stays that way.”
Despite her relief, his last comment puzzled her. “Why do you hope it stays that way?”
Taryn shot her a look, eyes boring into her before answering, “I have my reasons. And I don’t think I would be a deserving male. You can’t choose who you are mated to. I don’t think anyone would willingly want to be with me after my past.”
Her shoulders sagged in relief, but she couldn’t help the nagging feeling of the possible what ifs.
What if he does eventually find his mate here in Rune? What if he wants to be with them?
She realized all these thoughts about something that hadn’t even happened was anxiety flooding her mind, invading her self-assurance. She breathed in and out, and let it go.
I am not my anxiety.
She mustered a fake smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “I’m sure that’s not true.”
Taryn let out a bitter laugh. “I am a criminal. I am a killer. I’ve lied, and stolen, and have done so much wrong in this world. I don’t deserve a mate. I certainly don’t deserve love.”
Airess’ eyebrows shot up at the raw confession, at him finally admitting out loud his thoughts and fears. Before she could say anything further, his eyes averted to something behind her.
“This is it.”
Airess turned and followed his gaze, noticing the circular hut instantly. The pair walked forward, cutting through the knee length overgrown grass. Something about it looked so familiar to her. Her eyebrows creased as they neared.
“It looks empty.”
“Let’s go inside,” Taryn said, and burst down the door with a gust of wind that shot out of his fist.
Dust clouds swirled around in the moonlight that streamed through the door and into the hut. Two cots, coated in dust, were on one side. A tiny kitchenette was on the other, old pots and pans hung upon the wall. In front of them were two wingback chairs facing a small fireplace.
Airess stopped in her tracks, eyes wide. Yes, it certainly was familiar. She hadbeenhere before.
“I can’t believe it's all here. This is crazy,” Taryn muttered, dark brows drawn together. He crossed the threshold into the hut. “Another family inherited this house when I was sent to the orphanage, but it looks like they kept all the furniture.” He walked up and put a hand on one of the armchairs and turned to face her, “This is where she used to sit.Wait–I’m sorry. I don’t think I even told you her name. It was –”
“Ima.”
Airess scanned her surroundings, wide-eyed, as Taryn’s hand dropped from the chair.
“How did you know that?”
Her gaze met his, “I was trying to tell you on the ship, then everything happened so fast. I… met her. In the dreamworld.”
His eyebrows rose in disbelief. “Youwhat?”
“I didn’t know who she was. I just appeared here.” Airess motioned to the hut. “It was such a brief conversation. She told me totravel with the male to Rune. I didn’t believe her at the time. I thought maybe I truly had gone crazy. It was my first time meeting another dreamwalker. It’s why I knew I was safe to travel with you.”
“And you didn’t think to tell me about this sooner?” Taryn asked as he folded his arms, his tone speculative.
“I had just met you. We were injail. How crazy would you have thought me to be if I told you something like that?”
He studied her, making that face she knew he made whenever he was thinking about something deeply. “Fair enough. I suppose we are even on that end, then.”
