Page 101 of Mated By Twilight

“Seery… What is that?”

“It’s a coming-of-age thing for my people. Technically, only males are expected to do it, but I wanted the challenge. I set myself the task of going out and learning enough about acting and performing that I would be able to teach someone else and make them a good performer in my stead. Learning, acquiring new skills, and making myself better so that I could perform for my people was my goal, and now, with you, I’ve proven I can do that.”

“Wait,” Leah shook her head. “So… you’re leaving?”

“Ah, don’t miss me yet,” Skara laughed. “I’m not going right now. I’m going to see out the rest of these shows as your Momma Toad. But then, after the last show, yes, I will go.”

“But Skara, that’s…” Leah stopped, biting back words that she knew, inherently, were selfish. She wanted Skara to stay because she just wanted more time with Skara. Not because she actually thought Skara would benefit from being here. Having just achieved her own dream, how could she stand in the way of someone else’s? She forced a smile. “I’m going to miss you.”

“Don’t worry. You won’t be alone too long. I have some cousins that I’m going to send to the troupe. Performing is in my family, and now that I’ve forged this connection, more of my clavas can come to train here. I hope you’ll look after them.”

“Of course, I will!” Leah beamed again. “I can’t wait to meet them.”

“Good,” Skara smiled a toothy grin back at her. “I know I can trust you with that, Leah. We’ll keep in contact while I’m gone, and we don’t have to say goodbye now, but I just wanted to let you know so you wouldn’t be surprised.”

Leah nodded. “Okay. Thanks, Skara. For everything.”

She waved away her words. “No, thank you. I’ve been getting annoyed that Corvidair only brings in experienced, talented actors. No one for me to teach and prove my skills. Until you. I couldn’t teach you to sing, but I could certainly teach you to act, and I’m proud to see how far you’ve come. Enjoy your night, Leah. You deserve all of the adulation and praise.”

Leah nodded eagerly. She was tempted to hug her now, but as Skara said, this wasn’t goodbye yet. This was just a warning. And it was bittersweet. She was happy for her friend, of course, but she was sad for herself.

At the same time, she was also kind of proud.

The circumstances were different, but just like Leah had stood in front of the open door of a church and looked out, imagining she could taste freedom, so too did Skara once look up at the sky and imagine herself tasting success and honor. Both of them had left behind their worlds, seeking fulfillment, and now they had both found it.

But Skara was going to take that fulfillment and return home. Bring her people those skills and connections she had worked so hard for.

Meanwhile, Leah?

She’d found her home right here. Sure, her mates sometimes talked about settling down on Holotulle one day, but that was always spoken with that distant kind of tone. The one that said they weren’t even really making plans, just stating intentions.

But really, it wasn’t even the place. It was her mates themselves. The two of them together. They were her home. Wherever they might end up one day, so long as she was with them, she could say that she had everything she needed.

Skara smiled at her as she walked away, leaving Leah there to gather herself. She almost wanted to cry, but she didn't. Because this wasn’t a sad thing. Not at all.

After gathering herself, she turned, ready to step back into the crowd-

-only to come up short.

Biella was there. Not just part of the crowd some distance away. She wasright there. So close, Leah jumped, stepping back.

But before she could open her mouth to say something, Biella lifted her arm.

Leah saw the canister in her hand. She saw Biella press the nozzle. She felt the cold spray hitting her face. Something acrid burning her nose.

And then, there was nothing.

Chapter 47

Sollit

Seeing Leah walking away prompted Sollit to walk after her. He wasn’t comfortable leaving his small, vulnerable mate alone in a big crowd, even one that adored her.

But then he saw that Skara had her and he stopped. Looking to Tillos, he saw his brother notice the same thing and then give him a little nod. They were in agreement. Leah was in good hands with Skara. No crowd would be able to overwhelm her with such a fierce female by her side.

Comfortable with that, they returned to greeting and chatting with their fans.

It was easy to lose time while doing that. Even when he did check for Leah, he couldn’t do more than glance around an area before another fan was there. Congratulating him on his mating, on the performance, asking for his handprint – a common thing for people to request from celebrities that they admired.

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