“She seems happy now.” I watched Bes twirl in the snow with a giggling Saralyn, Hallizel zipping and chirping around them.
“Bes can always make her laugh. I was happy to find you both here.”
I settled next to her and set to work, feeling a sense of contentment wash over me.
“It’s nice to have you here.”
She plopped a delly root in the basket. “I would’ve joined you sooner if I’d known.”
“That’s not what I mean.” I sighed. “It’s nice to be here with another light fae.”
She flashed a smile and nodded. “I know what you mean. I felt so out of place when I first came here with Bezaliel. He was the only one who I feltat homewith, if that makes sense.”
“It makes perfect sense.” I remembered the way I had felt so right, a sense of belonging as I drifted off to sleep in Redvyr’s arms.
“But I am very glad you are here too.” She sat back on her heels. So did I. “It will be nice to have another light fae sister among the clan.”
“Oh.” Frowning, I glanced over at Dayn who had wandered closer to chat with Bes and tease the baby. “So you know.”
“Of course, I do. Bezaliel suspected before even Redvyr knew. Being mated to a beast fae is a wonderful thing. The bond is beautiful.”
“I’m not so sure the clan will think so.”
“Hmph. They weren’t sure about me either at first. But once they realized I was truly Bezaliel’s mate, and that I didn’t think myself above them, that I could contribute to the clan, they did finally accept me.”
“I hope they accept me too,” I admitted.
She stared at my neck for a moment. “Has he marked you yet?”
I frowned. “How do you mean?”
She tapped her own shoulder. “Did he bite you?”
I winced. “Why in the heavens would he do that?”
Tessa laughed. “It doesn’t hurt very much. It’s a superficial bite that embeds his scent on your skin. A beast fae always marks his mate to warn off others and make the bond permanent.” Her brow furrowed. “Redvyr hasn’t bitten you yet?”
Wondering at this strange ritual I had never heard of, I simply shook my head. Her expression softened to embarrassment as she turned back to the vegetables.
“He will, of course. I suppose he wants to speak to you about it before he does it. With you being a light fae, after all.”
“Did Bezaliel ask before he bit you?”
She paused before answering. “No.” Then she added lightly, “They believe they have no magick, other than their strength and heightened senses. But I felt it when the bond was made.”
“How do you mean?” I asked anxiously.
“When the bond is made with the bite, there is a distinct sensation of magick pouring through you. As if the gods are pleased we have honored the union.”
“Interesting,” I noted, digging more fiercely into the hard ground.
I couldn’t even pretend not to be frustrated that Redvyr hadn’t mentioned this to me. I’d given myself to him, and yet, hehadn’t chosen to seal our bond. Perhaps he was regretting it. I’d ask him at dinner.
He woke me this morning with his head between my thighs, licking me to an orgasm. He then stroked to his own release, coming on my belly and pussy. When I asked why, he said he knew I was sore from our rougher coupling the past two days.
I thought it kind, that he was being gentle with me. Now, I was angry that he was. Perhaps he thought I was too soft to take his bite, that I wouldn’t be able to handle the pain that came with sealing our bond.
“Jessa. It’s customary to chop the delly root just before you cook it, not when you’re trying to pull it out of the ground.”
