Page 34 of Siren in the Rain

Haku settles on the pillow beside my head again and curls himself into a ball.

With the two of them protecting me from either side, my body relaxes even farther, my mind clears, and I drift off into slumber—knowing that for now, in this moment, I’m as safe as I’m likely to get.

Chapter

Eight

Griff: I’m doing all I can for Shae. Are my powers helping him, even a little?

Coin: Outlook good.

Griff: Really?

Coin: Duh. You’re his mate.

Griff: Thanks, man!

—Private conversation between Griffin and his coin

Griffin

I’ve been awake for the last couple of hours, just watching Shae sleep in my arms. At some point in the night, he turned around to face me and his soft, warm breath puffs against my bare chest in a tantalizing manner.

My mate is so beautiful and brave. I’m glad he allowed me to give him comfort after he woke from his nightmare.

I’d been shocked when Haku yanked me out of a dead sleep, demanding I come with him and help Shae. I’m still not sure why he didn’t go to Emma, but I’m so grateful he came to me instead.

With a giddy sensation, I peek over at the slumbering drake and softly chuckle when he opens one gold, diamond-slitted eye to stare at me.

“You awake too?” I whisper.

He closes said eye and emits a faint rumbling grumble.

“Thank you for coming to get me last night,” I tell him softly.

“I’ll do whatever it takes to protect Master Shae.” He opens both golden eyes and studies me. “Are you truly fated mates?”

I nod and my tail goes into overdrive. “One hundred percent, forever and always.”

Haku’s nostrils flare and puff out a wisp of smoke. “It won’t be easy to convince my master, even though you could be precisely what he needs.”

“He told us what happened with his mother and his father so… I understand his reluctance.”

Even though it’s killing me inside.

My heart aches with sadness as I think of Shae’s mother’s tragic story. Over the centuries, there have been many instances of humans who have rejected Otherkind mates because of their ignorance and fear. It has brought considerable heartache and ruined the chance for happiness for quite a few. In more recent decades, things have improved slightly as Otherkind have slowly been integrated and accepted more into human culture.

There’s still a long way to go, however.

“Don’t worry, Haku. Shae is my one and only fated mate. I won’t abandon him even if he refuses our bond. I’ll stay with him and help him in any way he’ll let me.”

Haku arches his long neck and tilts his head to consider me. “That could bring you both a life of pain and torment if he rejects your bond. Denying the bond comes with consequences.”

He’s right and my gut clenches at the thought but I’m resolved to see this through, no matter how it ends. “I’m prepared for the worst, but I also have hope—and if nothing else, I have a stubborn degree of determination when it comes to the things that matter most to me.” My lips curve up into a smile. “Many have told me I possess an annoyingly endless well of inner optimism. Every time I get knocked down, I just get back up again.”

Haku snorts and shakes his head. “My master is very kind and loving, no matter how he might act. But he’s been forced to bury that part of himself for his own protection. He doesn’t trust easily anymore. It took Emma nearly a year to earn even the slightest amount of faith from Master Shae.”

Haku’s expression turns soft and almost hopeful. “The fact that he lets you touch him, and that he allowed you to comfort him last night, has convinced me that your claim to be fated mates might be true. And I suspect somewhere deep inside, he knows it too.” His wings droop. “But he isn’t consciously aware yet, let alone willing to acknowledge it. Maybe not ever.”

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