Page 61 of The Highseer's Mate

“I thought he was going to hurt me. That he would have hurt all of us and I wanted to protect you guys.”

“You did,” Lara says, reaching for my arm. She moves closer and leans her head on my shoulder.

“No. I left you guys out there to fend for yourself. I made Varek lie to his people because I thought I was protecting you.”

“Paige,” she murmurs.

“And now he’s facing the council. He’s in a dungeon below our feet and I’m so afraid of what comes next. I’m so afraid to lose him.”

The tears burst free and I cover my face, hiding my shame. My chin falls to my chest as Lara wraps her arm around my shoulder, squeezing me.

“Hey, hey! Listen to me, Paige. It’s going to be okay. Alright?”

“I just don’t know anymore,” I whimper, sniffling.

Lara sighs and gives me a shake before turning me to look at her. She forces my eyes up, manhandling me like a damn doll and then waving her hands in front of my face.

“Do I have your attention?”

I would be angry if my heart wasn’t bleeding out.

“Good. Listen. We all do what we think is the best. You made a mistake. So what? We have to move on or else the world will move on without us.”

She swipes her hands around us, pointing at the furs and the glowing hunks of luminite lighting the chamber.

“I mean look where we are. This is insane. But Melina’s injuries weren’t your fault. Cristina getting taken? That wasn’t your fault either. None of us blame you.”

I level her a look through my tears.

She bites her bottom lip. “Okay, maybe Ryan blames you but she’s a bitch.”

I huff a pained laugh.

“Me? I’m actually a little envious of the fact that you found yourself a…” she trails off. “A mate? Is that what they’re called?”

I nod.

Her lips pull into a soft smile. Blue eyes sparkle and shine a little brighter as she meets my gaze. “Yeah. I mean, who wouldn’t want a man who’s totally devoted to my every wish and happiness?”

My mind shifts to Varek. My protector. How did someone become so important in my life after only knowing him for a week? But she has a point. I wasn’t expecting to encounter my forever, he just showed up—tossed me over his shoulder and gave me no choice.

Now, I couldn’t imagine not having him by my side.

Lara tugs me into her arms again, giving me a real hug. It feels nice to let the guilt melt away at her words. I did what I thought was right, but I made a mistake.

And that’s okay.

I’m human.

“Cut yourself some slack,” Lara whispers before letting me go. Just when I think she’s going to say something nice, she smacks my shoulder and shakes her head. “And quit with the tears already. At least you can understand what these aliens are saying.”

She’s right. I forgot. None of the women can understand the Vruts yet, but for me it only took a day.

What kind of magic worked on me that hasn’t worked on them?

The leathers at the entrance ruffle and lift. Nicole and Selvara step inside, their eyes trained on Melina.

“Speak of the aliens themselves,” Lara mumbles. She goes back to picking off her plate and pops a piece of dried strid in her mouth before giving the healer some space.

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