Page 35 of Fae's Mate
My heart stutters in my chest.
Leave?
“Seki, I cannot force you to stay, it… it has to be your choice.”
“I have that choice?” She asks, as if she expects me to keep her here against her will. What sort of male would I be if I did that? I shake my head, disappointed that she could think me capable of such a thing.
“Of course you have a choice,” I sigh as we cross into the palace.
Our evening together will shortly end. I wonder if she is any closer to a decision. Does she ask if I would let her leave, because that is still what she would rather do? I swallow the lump in my throat. I would let her go if that was what she wanted… but it would break me.
We round the corner onto the human’s hallway, and walk slowly towards the very end, where the door to Seki’s room awaits. She slows as we approach, then turns to face me. Her expression is wrought with concern.
“Thank you,” I begin, before she can speak, “as always, I enjoyed your company tonight.”
Her expression softens. “I enjoyed yours too.”
I smile at her then, pleased to hear she enjoys my company. That’s a good sign… I hope. Her eyes study my features for a moment, and when she finds whatever she is searching for, she reaches out and caresses my cheek. Her fingers tickle against the short hairs of my beard, and her touch makes my knees weak. Before I can speak, she rises on her toes, her lips caressing mine.
I am momentarily stunned. The air sucked from my lungs. When I come to my senses, I reach for her waist to pull her closer. But I am too late. She lowers herself back to the ground and withdraws her hand from my cheek.
“Good night… High Lord,” she bids me, her voice soft and… affectionate?
“Goodnight…” is all I manage, before she enters her room and closes the door behind her, with one last glance at me through the crack, before it shuts.
I don’t know how long I stand there, simply staring at the oak door before me. I wonder if Seki is just beyond it, barely out of arms reach, but feeling a world away.
Knowing I cannot stand here all evening, I turn and pace back down the corridor, heading for my own chambers. Not that I am likely to get any sleep. My mind races with possibilities so quickly that it makes me dizzy.
The only anchor I have in the world is her, my mate, and she may yet choose to leave.
Chapter 23
Seki
I am a fucking idiot.
Why did I have to make out with him in the orchard? Why did I have to let him touch me like that? And why was he so damn good with his fingers?
I huff out a breath as I sit at the dresser, dragging a brush through my hair. I have the biggest bags under my eyes. No surprise, really, considering I barely slept.
I had tossed and turned all night, unable to switch my brain off, and then when I drifted off, I had stupidly filthy dreams. My mated subconscious is constantly horny, it would seem. Just as I am wondering if there is any way of getting my hands on—or even making—some concealer, there’s a knock at my door.
“Come in!”
Alana pokes her head through the door, then waltzes into the room, followed by Yaz and Alex.
“We were worried about you,” Alana begins, “You didn’t come down to dinner last night… I didn’t want to disturb you last night in case… well… are you ok?”
“Yeah,” I sigh.
Alex sits on my bed, raising an eyebrow at me. Yaz sits beside her, a look of concern on her face.
“I’m assuming you spoke to him?” Yaz asks.
I simply nod.
“Well, come on, spill. What did he say?” Alex pokes.
