“Go find her. And find a way to fight all of this together.”
Ash scoffed, “It’s not that easy.”
“Oh really, why not?”
He didn’t have an answer and he really wanted to be upset that Henrik was giving him the advice he wasn’t expecting.
“Didn’t I say shut up? As your king, I order it of you.”
Henrik chuckled. “That’s the first time you’ve sounded like my brother in a long time.”
Ash let his shoulders slump a little, the tension easing off. “All right, I’m off to find her. Wish me luck or something.”
“Good luck or something. And if she doesn’t want you, you just let her know I’m the better and hotter brother.”
“Yeah, I’m definitely going to need you to shut up.” He disconnected the line.
Ash decided if he was going to grovel, he wanted to look his best. He showered, brushed his teeth, and picked out a pair of navy linen pants, a white tank top with a white button up on top. He cleaned up his beard since he’d been letting it go and made sure to actually style his fashionably shaggy hair that was in need of a cut.
Once he arrived at Sea Glass, he found Gavin behind the bar. His friend did not look happy. Gavin was hardly ever grumpy and he wondered what had caused the problem.
“It’s about time you arrived. What the hell, man?”
Ash frowned, his brow creased. “Am I in trouble?”
“Please tell me you’re here to claim your mate properly and end all of his foolishness.”
Ash sighed. “Why do you care what I do or don’t do with my mate?”
“Ash, you need your mate. Being fractured like this isn’t going to help anything. You need your mate.”
“I can’t force her.”
“I don’t think she’s the problem in this scenario.”
Ash ran his hand over his face. “Where is she? I’ll get this cleared up right now.”
“Downstairs with Olivia.” Gavin pushed the plate of food at him. “Take this to her. She needs to eat.”
Ash nodded. “Thank you for seeing after her.”
“Any time. I like her. So does Pru. Make sure she sticks around.”
Ash grabbed the plate of food and headed downstairs. It was dimly lit and he could only make out Finley and Olivia’s figures under the blanket.
He set the plate down on the table next to the cot and then moved to sit down next to his mate. “Sawyer? You awake?”
She shifted on the cot and sat up. Her dark eyes were hard.
“What are you doing here?” she snapped.
Her tone caused him to pause. She was angry. He hadn’t expected that. “I’m here for you.”
“I thought I made it perfectly clear that you and I have nothing to say to one another.”
“What? When did we make that clear?”
“I gave you back your heartstone. Go find another mate.”