Page 39 of The Bonds of Nyx

“This meeting will start with you, mainly to relay the news of this progression to her. This is so Ivy isn’t overwhelmed when we bring her in.”

“Yes, of course,” I replied, bowing my head, despite the curdling uncertainty swelling in my gut. Having everyone else know I was Ivy’s mate was one thing; telling my mother was another.

“I can tell you don’t like that idea,” Maeve said, her voice sharp, the Irish accent thick, “but we have to tell her. You know why.”

“I do.” There would have to be a ceremony as soon as we arrived to make the mating official, and my mother would be excited planning that. She had been thrilled to plan the ceremonies for my older siblings. But one for the future Queen?

That would be a whole different affair. And it was something I would have to break to Ivy. Elias wouldn’t be too pleased with it, but I wasn’t so worried about him and his comfort right now.

“I just haven’t had a chance to talk about this with Ivy and warn her of what happens next. I don’t think that’s too much to ask.”

Maeve sighed, the sound startling. “I know. I want her to have all the information, but she’s already under a lot of stress and pressure. As her mate, you can alleviate some of that—so can Elias. But because the Queen isn’t here, we need to alert her to this change and request any information we may need to help Ivy before we reach the island. We also may need to prepare your mother for the fact that Ivy could be completely anchored by the time we get there, which will change everything.”

I nodded. “That makes sense.” With a sigh I collapsed into the armchair across from my team leader and scrubbed a hand through my hair. “When does this meeting start?”

“Now.” Maeve pulled out the charmed tablet Sir Ya’Dahir gave us for the mission. She motioned for me to move in beside her, so I leapt from my chair and pulled one of the other desk chairs around so that Maeve and I were seated beside one another.

The screen flickered, and an image appeared in the corner that showed us. Dark circles underlined my tired eyes, and my hair—still wet from my shower—hung in wavy strands around my cheeks. I shifted slightly and sat back as my mother appeared on screen.

If I thought I looked bad, my mother looked worse. Heavy bruised bags hung from her tired, red eyes. Her hair, which had once been the colour of spun gold and resembled mine, nowfell around her gaunt face in silver strands. Over the last couple of weeks, she’d aged rapidly. She no longer resembled a thirty-year-old woman—now, she looked almost sixty, worn down and tired, weathered, and fragile.

There was something about seeing my mother so…sick, that made me want to empty my stomach. When her eyes flickered to me, my stomach dipped. Yet she smiled warmly despite the weariness lining her face. “My son.”

“Mother.” I bowed my head. “We have…news.”

Her eyes darkened with worry. “Has something changed?”

Beside me, Maeve shook her head, but she cut me a glance. “In a way, yes. We have made some… developments.”

The worry in her eyes deepened, and her lips formed a firm line. “You need to move to a different safe house.”

“I believe that might have to wait,” Maeve replied, steepling her fingers together. “This is to do with Ivy’s mate bonds.”

“That’s why I’m here, Mother,” I said. Her gaze swung to me. “During the attack, I was injured. I would have died if it weren’t for Ivy. Our mate bond snapped into place.”

For a moment, Queen Greer was silent, eyes wide. I could see the whirlwind of thoughts clearly on her face, which both surprised and worried me. My mother was talented at using masks when dealing with situations, but with her waning strength, it seemed she was no longer capable of hiding her feelings.

“Are you sure?” she asked, and I could see the hope filling her dull irises.

I nodded. “I think so. I can feel the bond. Ivy and I haven’t had a chance to go any further.”

Suddenly, my father appeared at her side; some said I looked more like him, but I couldn’t see it. Sir Theon was lanky and tall, almost towering over my mother’s other mates, and he wore glasses enchanted to read any language. His hair was a darkerblond than mine, but our eyes were the same shade of bright green.

“Did you just say you found your mate in the new Queen?” he asked, caution in his tone. He glanced warily down at Mother, who reached up and took his hand.

She nodded gently. “This is good. You more than anyone can help her now.”

I shifted uncomfortably as their gazes burned into me. “You should also know she found her second mate while here.”

My mother sucked in a breath. “Two already?” Her gaze turned to Maeve. “You told me of one.”

My jaw clenched, but Maeve nodded. “The last time we talked, I knew of one—Adrian. The bond between Ivy and Elias Beckham developed quickly, and they completed it recently. It has brought up…many questions. One of which we cannot share.”

“Why?” my father asked, more curious than slighted.

“It would be best to relay this information when we return.” I threaded my fingers together in my lap and sighed. “But expect Ivy to be anchored when we do arrive.”

My mother’s thin brows rose, but by the dark glint in her eyes, I had a feeling she suspected something. “Noted,” she said, her posture stiffening. “Now, let me meet the next Daughter of Nyx.”

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