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I knew I had to tell them, eventually, I’d just hoped I could stall for a few days. It would hurt to say out loud and doing so would make it real. I didn’t want it to be real. It didn’t matter what I wanted, though. So I told them what had happened between Arthur and me, and then why I decided to stay in the forest.

They looked deep in thought as they processed everything, then Myve grabbed my hand, sitting next to me on the single bed. “Speaking from experience, it’s easier to just face your mate and get your heart broken, instead of all this worrying and what ifs. If I had listened to you three and spoken to Hans earlier, then we would’ve been together for longer while at the academy. I’m not saying it’s the same with you and Arthur, but maybe he was spooked, or perhaps he’s just as confused as you are.”

“I’m tired of chasing him, Myve,” I admitted. “I spent two months talking to what seemed to be an empty room. I bared my heart for someone who wouldn’t show himself until I finally had enough.”

“But he said he didn’t want to marry his betrothed and he did kiss you back,” Jamie pointed out. “Doesn’t sound like someone who’s rejecting you.”

“No, he just sounds scared,” Nym agreed.

I exhaled a puff of air through my nostrils, letting my head tip back against the wall behind me. “I’m scared, too,” I admitted. “But why should I be the one chasing him all the time, demanding we talk. I want a mate who’s willing to fight for me.” It had hurt, saying that out loud, but it was the truth. I wanted to feel wanted. I felt anything but.

“So let him come to you,” Myve shrugged. “Go on with your life and wait him out. Stop talking to him each night and just pretend he isn’t there. If you truly want to wait for him to make the next move, then wait.”

“Doesn’t that make me sound childish?” I asked.

Nym snorted. “He basically told you he knew you were his mate long before you did, and stayed away from you because of it. I would be petty as fuck if it was me.”

Jamie laughed at that, bumping his brother’s shoulder. “You were barely holding it together. I can’t even imagine how you would act aloof and be all patient.”

Nym just glared at him. “Be thankful for my dragon, if it hadn't been for him claiming Harpy, then Harpy might still be with your mate.”

Jamie gasped indignantly at that, making Myve shush them both. “We came to help Nazuss, not whatever bickering you two got going on!”

“Yeah, about that… How did you even know I was in here?” I asked.

“Our lights guided us here after breakfast,” Ryn answered.

“So apparently, our first class of the day was to smack some sense into you,” Myve said, looking smug.

“I have been properly smacked,” I smiled. “Seriously, thank you for coming here, even if you had no choice in the matter.”

Ryn waved it off. “Just come and get some food.”

“And promise you won’t stay out after dark ever again,” Jamie demanded. “We were told next time you would get sick from it, something about it being a punishment."

Nodding, I got out of bed, pleased that I was still wearing my outfit from yesterday. “I hadn’t realized just how hungry I’d gotten.”

“Then we’ll spend the rest of this “class” with you in the dining hall,” Myve declared. “But promise us you’ll return to your classes after.”

“I promise.”

If staying away from Arthur would help, then I could totally do that, even if my heart was aching. I needed to be shown he had an interest in me, if not then how could I ever mate with him? It might sound selfish, but I longed to feel needed, and if he felt the same as I did, or just a fraction of it, then he would pursue me.

If not… well, we would bridge that gap if we ever got to it. For now, I followed my family to the dining hall. I would stay strong and try to ignore the fact that our school year was only months from finishing.

The rest of the day passed like any other. I couldn’t stop myself from looking for Arthur. Now that I knew what he looked like it was an obsession I knew would stay with me, even if he decided to never bond with me. My soul called out to his and without realizing it, I would find myself scanning each room, hoping to see him.

It was now dinner time and I’d yet to spot him. A small part of me was relieved. What if he had close friends here? Someone he chose to spend his time with. Someone he placed before me. It was sickening how utterly gone for him I was, even with the scraps of knowledge I had, my heart knew he was mine.

“Want to go for a treasure hunt after this?” Myve suggested, pushing a plate of fruit closer to where I sat. “Nym and Ryn can fly around in their dragon forms and spread out different things for us to find.”

I smiled at my sister. She worried and wanted to distract me. “Thank you for thinking of me,” I said, patting her arm. “But all I want to do is to bathe and go to bed early. I feel like whatever comatose state they put me in didn’t allow me any rest.”

“Punishment,” Nym nodded.

“Yeah,” I sighed. “I feel like I haven’t slept at all.”

“Well, if that’s what you want, then we’ll do the treasure hunt another day,” Myve agreed.