“Rage, I—”
“You’re leaving me again.” He swallowed hard and stared at the ceiling, seemingly unable to look into my eyes. But through our bond, I could feel his disappointment.
“Only temporarily,” I rushed to say. “Because my grandpa is dying, and I need to figure out what all I’m supposed to do and know about spirit magic, and then … I’ll come back.”
He was quiet a long time, just breathing in and out. Through our bond, I felt his internal struggle, but I couldn’t tell what exactly he was wrestling with…
“You’re going to become the high mage of spirit”—he turned his head to look at me—“and yet live with mehere, in Alpha Castle?”
I narrowed my eyes, defiance swelling within me. If the high mages ever thought they’d force me to live away from my mate…
“Of course, Rage. Is there some law that says I can’t handle high mage affairs from Alpha Island?”
“Shifter Island.” A twinkle gleaned in Rage’s green eyes, and I froze.
“What?”
Rage rolled onto his elbow and faced me. “I wanted you to be here to see it, but I—”
I crashed into him, throwing myself over him in a giant naked hug as the memory of what he’d done resurfaced. The high mages had spoken about it in the library, but I hadn’t processed it. “Oh, Rage! You united the shifters!”
He chuckled, his chest rumbling under me. “I tried. Some have committed to returning, but not all…”
“I’m so proud of you.” I sighed, thinking of him making that decision—without me—and emotion clogged my throat. “I’m sorry … I wish I’d been here.”
“But you had your grandfather to attend to,” he said with a sad sort of smile.
Fierce determination had me clenching my teeth, and I propped myself up by my elbows, letting my hair fall around us like a tent, closing off the world.
“Rage Midnight, you are my mate,first and foremost, and I will spend the rest of my life here with you.” I hoped he took my bold declaration seriously. “I just need a little time before I’m ready … to do that, you know.”
His gaze traced over my face before meeting my own. He smiled then, and although there was sadness in that smile, there was also pride—and acceptance. “Okay, Nai. Okay.”
He yawned again, and my own body weighed heavy with the need for sleep. I slid off him but settled close, grinning when he tucked me even closer to his side.
“What time do you need to be back?” he asked, slurring with yet another yawn.
“Six … maybe a little before then.” I tacked on the latter part after only a moment of consideration. “I don’t think we want Reyna coming to get me.”
“Mother Mage, no.” He chuckled as his eyes fluttered shut.
A moment later, I felt him reach out to one of his brothers, which was a new sensation and must have been because our bond was sealed.
“Noble will get us at five, plenty of time for you to get back,” Rage said.
With his scent swirling around me, I nestled down next to my mate and fell into blissful slumber.
Chapter Five
When morning came,I didn’twantto say goodbye, but I knew if I didn’t, Reyna would show up and drag my butt back through the portal. We lingered as long as we could, but when the sun streaked the sky, Rage led me through the halls of the castle and then back toward the academy library.
I frowned. “I hate that we can’t talk while I’m there.”
Rage rubbed his hands up my arms. “I think … when you get there, try it again. Now that we’re mate-bonded, maybe we can. Also, I want to see you more.” He took a deep breath and then added, “How about every day, we meet here and catch each other up on what happened?”
I grinned. “Yes. And every week, we have date night, and I’ll stay over. You can take me out to dinner.”
Rage grinned. “I’m buying.”
