I blanched. “Like the king?”
Rage nodded. “Yeah—or Surlama.”
“Crap.” I swallowed hard, my mind racing. “I think I just need to concentrate.”
We’d eaten our pink flowers just before getting on the boat, and thankfully the king’s predicted crazy headache lasted only a few moments before I felt some of my power return.
The boat rocked gently as the water lapped against the sides.
“I could try…” I shrugged, not knowing what more to offer. Truly, this was my only idea.
“Well, maybe I can help you focus. You know, I’m kind of a big deal.” Rage winked and tugged me closer.
I grinned, leaning into him as the heat of his body pressed against mine. “I thoughtIwas kind of a big deal? Ya know, high crime and all.”
Rage’s gaze hooded. “You’re more than ‘kind of’ a big deal to me.”
I’d been joking, but his sincerity sent butterflies flitting around in my stomach. Reaching out, he stroked his thumb over my bottom lip. “Nai … I’m sorry for rejecting you when I realized we were mates in the garden. When those butterflies descended on you, I…” He looked like he was in pain at the memory. “I’m so sorry for hiding … for not trusting you when you obviously deserved it.”
Guilt twisted his features, and my heart pinched at his confession.
I leaned forward and gave him a lingering kiss. “All is forgiven,” I said with a wave of my hand. “I’ve decided to completely wipe douchebag Rage from my memory.”
“Hey!” He grimaced, grabbing at his heart.
I smirked and leaned forward once more to pull his bottom lip into my mouth. He sucked in a sharp intake of breath and then brought his hands up to cup my cheeks after he pulled me closer to him.
I’d heard from a woman in my pack that once you met your fated mate, there was this pull to be intimate, to be closer and closer each time until you sealed the mate bond. I’d been twelve at the time and had no idea what “sealing” the mate bond meant. Now I did. Now I could feel the heat travel down my core, and my body ached to be closer to Rage, to come together as one and share something so special, something no one—
“Aaah.” He pulled away and grabbed his head. I was ripped from my thoughts as my mate fell onto the boat deck in pain.
“What’s wrong?”
He grimaced with pure agony in his gaze. “Justice … he needs us.”
My stomach dropped. “Okay, let’s do this.”
Was it a risk to try this whole mental spirit walk thing on my own?Yes. But it was worth it if it saved Rage’s brothers. They took a shield oath for me, and I’d do everything in my power to protect them in return.
* * *
I closedmy eyes and thought of my bestie. I remembered how we’d lie in her king-sized bed in Harvest Dorm and chat about random school stuff, how Master Carn was a douche—or which of the Midnight princes was most likely my mate. How was it that those times seemed so calm compared to now?
Exhaling slowly, I lay down on the boat seat and closed my eyes, picturing Kaja’s room.
The ivory crown molding at the top of the pale green walls, silver and cream abstract art from some famous mage painter, the sleek glass-top desk she used for homework—and drawing. The thick shag rug in a light green hue, softer even than our wolf coat. Then I pictured her bed, the canopy closed so that light wouldn’t slice through her room and wake her up. I imagined her asleep, with her red curls spilled across her pillow. It felt so real … like I was there.
I imagined myself sitting on her silk comforter, cross-legged, watching her like a creeper as she slept, her brow furrowing as if she were having a bad dream.
‘Kaja!’ I yelled.
My bestie sat up with a shriek—no signs of sleepiness in her startled expression. She blinked and then shook her head. ‘Nai?’
I grinned. ‘Hey, girl.’
She glanced right and left and then pinched herself. ‘Are you really here?’
‘Yes—no—well, sort of.’ How could I explain? I didn’t know what I was doing—if this was real or all in my imagination but it felt real... Where should I start? So many questions, and I had exactly zero answers. ‘I—' A sharp pain sliced through my head. Maybe there wasn’t time for a lengthy explanation. ‘I need your help.’
