He shuddered. ‘Wrong. I would open my weaponry forge here and have enough kids to form my fireball squad. We would crush the other teams.’ A vibrant gleam lit his gaze, and he chuckled softly and knowingly, like he held a secret.
Entirely astonished, I complained, ‘Poor woman, how many kids do you need for a fireball team?’
More laughter tore from him as he explained, ‘Six for the small leagues, twelve if I’m going pro.’
‘After giving you so many, that woman would deserve the world.’ I shot him an expectant look, knowing males didn’t always appreciate the struggles of bearing children.
River nodded, looking ahead and smiling as if he were imagining the life we talked about.
‘I will bring the world on a plate for my mate anyway,’ he said, eyes losing focus. ‘Do you want any children?’
Finding myself as the topic of conversation unsettled me. I didn’t like admitting how difficult life was for me. ‘One day. But it’s a little more complicated for me.’
A crease formed between his brows as he studied my face with a tightened expression. ‘How so?’
‘My mother. I couldn’t have children knowing I am defenceless if she tries to hurt them.’
A muscle twitched in his cheek as his posture turned rigid. ‘I am sure your mate will keep all of you safe.’
It didn’t escape my attention that the king had softened his attitude toward my partially fae genetics, though he needed to realise the differences. ‘I am only partially fae, remember? We don’t really get mates.’
‘Didn’t you say your people don’t usually wait or look for them? That’s probably why. You have fae blood in you, so you are capable of finding a mate.' Certain of his words, his tone never faltered.
I had to admit I found the phenomenon fascinating. ‘Our last conversation on matehood actually encouraged me to research the topic, but I still find it confusing.’
Patting himself on the chest and smiling encouragingly, he said, ‘Ask away.’
‘It’s the whole concept of one person being the one destined for you. I’m supposed to believe that in the whole world and realms there’s only one individual that I should be with?’ I challenged his optimistic approach, aware that I didn’t hold enough knowledge to debate it anyway.
‘Some say our souls have been divided in half, and we are supposed to find the missing one.’
Fate played a vital role, but I wondered whether one could really entrust it with their lives.
I nodded. ‘What if you find your mate, and you hate them, find them repulsive, or just don’t want to be mated?’
The confrontation in my tone turned River slightly defensive as he explained, ‘Like everything in life, matehood is optional.’
Optional. The word lingered in my head like a promise I didn’t quite believe.
Did my negative approach offend him? Perhaps I criticised their ways too much, but there were plenty of factors to consider in this matter that, as someone who grew up in a culture different to theirs, I could clearly see as problematic.
‘That’s what you say, but the story of the Water King Theodore and the witch Eleonor was tragic,’ I countered. ‘He forced her to mate him.’
He snorted, unimpressed. ‘Where did you get that from?’
‘History books—you just have to read between the lines.’
‘You might want to read about it from another perspective. Their story is quite touching,’ River announced as we stopped in front of a quaint café. ‘Enough of that; let’s get food.’
The café smelled of cinnamon and melted sugar, the kind of sweetness that wrapped itself around you and refused to let go.
The aroma of pastries, cookies, and cakes filled the little space, enough to send me into a sugar high. While the king waited for me to pick what I wanted, and I bounced from one cake to another, he eventually ordered all four flavours to be delivered to our table outside.
With the subtle sunshine basking us in orange hues, once we sat down, I accused him, ‘The flight took it out of you, huh?’
Smiling, his eyebrows raised lightly. ‘Why do you think so?’
‘Why order so many cakes?’ I scrunched my nose, light critique lacing my voice.
