Page 33 of A Crown of Fates

Signed,

Jerome Graves

I was planning to go see Drea this morning, but going to my mate after so much time apart isn’t something I can ignore. Especially if Jerome is feeling the need to interfere.

Drea will understand. I thought her holding my hair while I vomited into a bucket was already more than enough to make me love her, but she’s proven to be the friend I never knew I needed. I haven’t been ready to talk about Theo with anyone—not even my sister. I only had to tell Drea that once and she hasn’t brought it up again, lowering my stress. Something I’ve appreciated immensely.

As I rush through the motions of getting ready to go see Theo, my thoughts return to Orix as they have on many occasions since learning of his existence. I don’t know how we’resupposed to best a god who has some twisted connection to my mate, but there has to be a way to break the hold Orix has over him. If Theo doesn’t figure one out, and agrees with my plan, then I’ll be calling Asher later today. Well, Isla then asking to speak with him because I’d rather not have her trying to murder me if her mate finds out about all of this before she does.

Asher was able to reach the goddess Aurora, and while I don’t want to deal with her and her erratic behavior, maybe we can get answers from someone who might be willing to help with this god, even if it comes at a price. There has to be something we can learn about him.

Growing up, we’re all taught about our original creators, but it’s mostly centered around the main three gods, the afterlife, and our choice in reincarnation. Even in death, if we choose not to be reborn, we’re not supposed to be able to interact with the “higher beings”, so why would we need to know about them? I guess now there’s a reason.

My chest tightens, and I take a shaky, yet steadying, breath. I don’t want to get worked up again. Theo needs me to be strong for him just as much as I need it.

I slide my damp hands over my black slacks then tug at the end of my maroon sweater, giving myself another once-over in the mirror. The eyes looking back at me are a mix of my normal golden hue, but with darker brown flecks, telling me my wolf is right at the surface.

She’s been silently supportive these last few days, but as I walk out of my suite and into the hallway, heading for Theo’s office, I can sense her eagerness. At least now it matches my own.

“Where is my sister?”Isla’s voice sounds through my thoughts, and I freeze on the stairs.

“Isla?”

She scoffs.“Do you haveanothersister?”

“Well, technically, back on Earth…”

“Seriously? We don’t have time for this. Where are you?”

“I should be asking you that. How are you communicating with me like this from Polaris?”

Our telepathy had its limits and crossing to other islands isn’t included in them.

“I’m walking through the front gates of the Selaris castle,”she replies confidently.“Now, come find me.”

“What the hell are you doing here?”I ask as I continue up the stairs instead of down them. I need to see Theo first. As much as I’ve missed my sister this last week, my plans aren’t changing for the morning just yet. Not until I know he’s okay.

“Did you really think after everything you haveandhaven’t told me I wouldn’t come to you as soon as possible?”She clicks her tongue, and I can easily picture the admonishment on her face.“Honestly, Estee. You should know better. I don’t care what crown I wear. You are family and you need me, whether you’re willing to admit it or not.”

I love her more than I’ve shown her lately, and she might be mad about my next words, but I know she’ll understand.

“I’m just walking in to speak with Theo,”I say.“I’ll be down there soon, I promise.”She starts to object, but I continue.“And thank you, Isla. I love you.”

Her voice is more subdued now.“I love you, too. Take your time.”

I cut the connection and stop at Theo’s office door. I close my eyes and look up at the ceiling, imagining the endless sky above me instead of the stone and rafters as I thank the Universe for bringing my sister to me. Her arrival tells me exactly what conversation I need to have with Theo, and for the first time since finding out I had to come to Selaris, I’m excited about what comes next.

My knuckles sweep lightly over the wooden door, and before I can take a step back to wait for Theo to answer, he’s already swinging the door open. “Estee.”

My name on his lips sends a jolt of warmth through me, and I inhale sharply, momentarily breathless. His eyes are pinched at the sides and he takes a step away from me. “You shouldn’t be here.”

“It’s been three days, Theo.” I move to step inside his office. “If time apart was going to solve anything, you wouldn’t look worse off than when I last saw you.”

His cheeks are hollow, his clothes wrinkled, and he hasn’t shaved, but that means little to me now. Not when his warmth calls to me, draws me closer, making my fingers itch to reach for him.

I knew the bond was powerful. I knew there was a reason I was so confused about Theo calling me his mate and this was why. I might have been attracted to him from the start, but there is nothing that can compare to thisneed. To the desire to hold him and be whatever he needs so that he can come out of this mental war with the least amount of scars.

“Estee.” This time when he says my name, it’s more like a warning. One I can’t find the want to heed. My chest rises and falls like crashing waves, and my mouth parts. His hand comes up, the back of his fingers ever so lightly grazing my cheek. “I’ve missed you.”

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