Smells like home.
A smile tugs on my lips. Looks like they got my message. These are my people. Leaping down the steps, I stride across the yard and clamber over the wall.
I jump out of the manor’s yard and head for the grove. Sounds rustle all around, and that’s familiar, too. Birds move in the foliage, owls hunt, and animals move in the undergrowth.
I’ll always feel more comfortable out here than in the richest manor.
Another reason why I have no right to ask Rosie to run away with me. She’s in her element. She suffered in the woods with me. Oh, she bloomed, but this is what she knows. What she prefers.
I barely enter the grove when I’m tackled to the ground by a huge, shaggy blond man. I hit the soil on my back, and my breath leaves me.
“You’ve lost your touch,” he growls. “See what a woman does to you?”
“Konstam.” I shove at him. “Kon, get off me, you bleeding idiot.”
“Got the jump on you.” He grins, unrepentant, his face way too close to mine. “It was worth it.”
“Yeah, yeah. Now get off. Wait, give me a hand up.”
He jumps to his feet with a laugh and pulls me up. “Getting rusty in your old age?”
“These clothes aren’t comfortable,” I grumble.
He takes a step back and folds his arms over his chest. “Look at you, all cleaned up and dressed to the nines. Did she ask you to dress up?”
“It wasn’t for her,” I say gruffly, fingering the collar around my neck.
“Oh?”
“It’s complicated.”
“I bet it is.” He frowns. “Humans generally are.”
“That’s what they say about the fae.”
“Honestly, everyone is complicated apart from us.” He winks. “Right?”
I chuckle and slap his back. “True story. So it was you following me?”
“Yeah, together with Darian. And yeah, I know, you told us to stay back, but you can’t trust humans, Valen!” His expression changes, a sly look coming into his eyes. “Well… unless it’s a very pretty female.”
I shake my head. “Shut up.”
“Caught her scent, too. Damn sweet.”
“Stop sniffing at my mate!” I snarl, shoving him up against a tree and getting into his face. “Do you hear me?”
“Whoa. Valen.” He lifts his hands. “I hear you. In fact, did I hear you use the wordmate?”
“Are you sure?” Konstam asks more quietly. We’re sitting by a small stream, tossing pebbles into the burbling water and just having him there, listening to his stupid voice, makes me nostalgic. I’ve missed home. “About the mate thing?”
“No need to clarify what you meant,” I grouse. “I know it’s a shock.”
“So you’re sure.”
I sigh. “As much as anyone can be without a bite and a consolidation of the bond.”
“Is that why you’re wearing that collar? Did she give it to you?” At my look, he narrows his eyes. “Wait, doesn’t she…?”
