Page 77 of Starlight

“Dad…it’s fine.”

“You were shot—it’s not fine.”

“I escaped.” If falling into Cole’s bed could be called escaping. “And…and…” There was no getting around the next part. He didn’t want to reveal the truth in front of the healer, that Cole was only his fake-mate, but didn’t want to lie to his father. Which was worse? “My mate stitched my wing.”

His father’s eyes widened. They were a darker red than his, and Akai was reflected perfectly—sitting with his back to the healer, hoping that he wasn’t about to get chewed out by both of them.

“You have a mate, and you didn’t think to tell us? Which harpy is it? Are they a harpy? Male, female, other?”

“He’s not a harpy.” Akai gave his father a few heartbeats to get used to the idea that his mate, fake-mate, was not a harpy and male. The latter wasn’t a problem; the former might be. “He’s human.”

“Human?” his father asked as if humans weren’t real. “And he’s here?”

“Yes.”

“You brought him to solstice before you told your parents.” His father put his hand over his heart as if gravely wounded. “Your mother…when she hears about this…”

“I didn’t know you were going to be here. It’s new and…this is…”

“I think what your son is saying is that he wanted to spend the solstice wrapped up with his mate,” the healer said.

Akai covered his face with his hand. That was not what he was trying to say. “Is there anything you can do for my wing before my father tears them off?”

The healer chuckled. “Harpies, always so dramatic.”

“My son has a secret mate.” His father slumped against a wall. “I can’t tell your mother. She’ll rip my wings off.”

“I’ll tell Mom.” And somehow, he was going to have to tell Cole that his parents were here. Ta da! The lie and fate lines were now choking him. “And we can all have dinner together.”

“On the ground. Your mate doesn’t even fly.”

“No, but he drives.”

“I have some enchanted ointment which will speed up the healing, so you’ll be flying in no time,” the healer said, like that was Akai’s primary concern.

“Thank you.” Did she have anything for parents who launched surprise attacks and interrupted his carelessly made plans?

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

After growing tired of the curious glances tossed up at him, Cole moved deeper into the shelter and leaned back against his bag, closing his eyes and trying not to worry about Akai abandoning him. He wouldn’t have done it without good reason.

If Bob knew about the accident, was Akai in trouble?

Had he been dragged away to answer his own set of questions?

As much as he wanted to do something, there was nothing he could do, as he didn’t know where to start. He didn’t know where to get food, or how to pay for it.

Was this a very large and potentially costly mistake?

Wood creaked as someone started up the ladder.

“Are you up there?” Akai called then mumbled something sharp and unintelligible.

“Yeah? Where else am I going to be?” Did Akai think he was going to go wandering around on his own when he didn’t know anyone or anything? It was like getting off a plane in a foreign country where all the signs were in another language.

His head popped over the edge of the platform. “I also expected to be here.” He bounced onto the platform, landing in a crouch. “There has been a complication.”

“Your ex has shown up and the baby is yours?”