Her gaze fell to the silver mate marks on my finger before returning to my eyes. “Alright then.” She gave me a tight smile like she didn’t do it enough. “Let me help you through the library in case Kian is waiting. Then I’ll see you first thing in the morning.”
I nodded. “Thanks … for everything today.”
Leaning forward, I pulled her into a hug, only mildly surprised when her body went rigid.
“Not a hugger,” she croaked.
I just grinned and squeezed a little harder.
When I let go, she glared at me, but there was no sharpness to her expression.
“Come on,” she said, tilting her head down the hall. “Let’s get you back to lover boy.”
My eyes widened, and I snickered. “I can’t believe you just called the alpha king that.”
She raised her eyebrows. “Do you want to stand here and have me tell you all the other names I could’ve chosen, or are you ready to go?”
Good point.
“Let’s go,” I said.
Sneaking out into the library, we stilled, all three of us listening for any sounds that might indicate the three high mage d-bags were still there.
It was quiet and dark.
Reyna and I stepped out with Honor trailing behind as we tiptoed through the aisles until she waved me toward the secret corridor that led to the portal to Alpha Academy library. “I’ll meet you back here first thing in the morning.” She gave me a flat look. “Do not make me come fetch you.”
I waved goodbye and then ran all the way to the back side of the onyx door.
After a deep breath, I opened the black stone door and slipped out into the Alpha Academy library, nearly tripping over…
Mother Mage.
I wanted to cry at the sight of Noble asleep on the floor directly in front of the portal door. If not for the bright red blanket draped over him, I would’ve stepped on him. I sniffed back my tears, and his eyes sprang open as he scrambled to his feet. Blinking, he took me and Honor in.
“Oh, thank the mage, Nai!” He pulled me in for a tight hug. “You had us worried to death.”
My throat tightened, and tears welled in my eyes.
“I’m so sorry!” I croaked, throwing my arms around him.
Under his breath, he muttered, “I thought you might come back through here.” He released his hold on me and then pulled back to assess me. “Are you hurt?”
I shook my head. “Not hurt.”
He cocked his head and raised his eyebrows in disbelief. I offered him a rueful smile.
“All the physical scratches will heal before morning, but…” I swallowed hard and then forced the words out in a rush. “My grandfather is dying, and the high mages want to steal his magic, and … I need to see Rage.”
Noble nodded, his hazel eyes wide. “Absolutely. Come with me.”
He took my hand and pulled me through the library as Honor trotted along to my left.
“Good to see you, brother.” Noble tipped his head at Honor, and Honor nodded back in kind.
We crossed the moonlit courtyard and then made our way to the giant castle, my heart racing faster the closer we got. After using a side door and passing several guards, the number increasing the farther we went into unfamiliar corridors, Noble pulled us to a stop in front of a large oak door with hand-engraved roses. Two male shifters from Midnight pack stood outside the door.
“These are his new living quarters,” Noble whispered. “Honor and I’ll give you two privacy.”
I blushed the color of a tomato.
Grinning, Noble nodded to Honor, and together they started to walk away.
Ignoring the two guards, I spun toward the door, staring at it with a lump in my throat. Would Rage understand?
I could only hope so.
Taking a deep, uneven breath, I squared my shoulders and opened the heavy door. The damn thing groaned loudly on its hinges, and my chest tightened as light sliced through the darkened room.
What ifs spiraled through my mind, twisting up my thoughts, and I shoved them away. It was time to face the music—or whatever that saying was. Regardless, I could do this. I would.
After forcing a dry swallow, I stepped inside.
“Someone better be dead,” Rage growled, sitting up. The sheet puddled at his waist as he turned toward the doorway, his half-lidded eyes practically glowing in the darkness. My heart stopped. He looked so sexy, his bare chest rising with his breath, and yet vulnerable, too, with his hair a mess, and eyes heavy with sleep.
“Nai?” he gasped.
Hearing my name … his disbelief … his hope … fall from his lips, it undid me. My heart shattered, and my vision blurred.
“Rage!” I cried out.
He burst from the bed. I blinked, and one moment, he was wrapped in blankets, and the next, he stood before me. His gaze roved over me, nearly as hot as his touch, and I waited, trembling for some kind of verdict.
I chewed my lip, knowing he’d see not only the dirt but the scratches and scrapes that still marred my body. My stomach churned with guilt, and my eyes burned. I felt like a prisoner on trial…
“What … who hurt you?” he growled, pulling me into his arms, pressing me to his chest. I melted into him, the warmth of his touch, the softness of his skin over the steel of his muscles. I wanted to cry and beg forgiveness and cling to him—all of it at once. It felt so good for him to hold me. “Was this your grandfather’s doing?” He growled, rubbing one hand up and down my back. “If so, I’ll kill him.”
Oh mage, he had it wrong. All wrong.
I pulled away from him and rose up on my toes. I wanted one kiss, and then I’d explain. But I felt like a thief, and my kiss fell on his neck. Blinking through my tears, I took his face in my hands.
“Oh, Rage,” I whispered, my throat raw as I forcefully swallowed my emotion. Fresh tears pricked my eyes. “He’s … dying.” The tears spilled over, and I buried my face in his chest.
He held me as sobs wracked my body. I tried to tell him what had happened, but the words fell unintelligible and disjointed with my grief. I cried for my grandfather. I cried for Reyna. I cried for Rage, and then finally, I cried for me—because I’d never wanted to leave my mate. And when all of my tears were gone, my body released a hard shudder. I sucked in a deep breath, sniffed, and pulled myself together.
“It’s bad,” I said, wiping the moisture from my cheeks. “I went to help grandpa at your coronation. He told me he needed to formally declare me as his heir before he died. I thought I’d sneak right back after we signed the heir declaration, but then I got thrust into an initiation obstacle course to prove myself worthy.” I blinked, offering him a small smile. “I thought we’d be able to still speak through the bond. I’m so sorry, Rage. I’m so freaking sorry.” My voice broke.
“Heir declaration?” His brow furrowed with confusion. “Obstacle course?”
I wasn’t explaining this right—not at all. I exhaled, long and slow, and thought about what mattered the most. Because the explanations could all wait—and they should. The most important thing right now was our mate bond. I brushed my fingers over his lips. “I-I don’t want to talk about that place right now. Can we put that all on hold, please?” I took another breath. “I really want to talk about … us.”