Page 109 of Until the Stars Fall

How was I to respond to that? I could ask about her mother, but that path seemed too personal to tread down. Before I could find any words, though, she was speaking again.

“So I’m guessing you haven’t found your mate then?”

I choked in surprise, but I should probably have expected this question to come up. Now I did wish I had inquired about her family instead.

“No,” I said quickly.

Jutting her chin slightly, she eyed me with curiosity. “Are you looking for her?”

“Not at the moment, no.” I smirked but was sure she could tell how fake it was.

“Well, I didn’t mean right now,” she said, rolling her eyes. “Obviously you’re not searching for her while you’re engaged to me.”

“That would certainly complicate things. Someday maybe I’ll find her. Matthias doesn’t believe in mates though. Tells me I’m a fool to. I’m one of the few who still do actually. It’s become a bit of a sore subject for the fae.”

“Why is that?”

Drawing in a deep breath, I leaned back onto my hands. “The war was fought over a mated pair. My uncle, Cian Durand, discovered his mate, Ellae, was a human from Wrenwick. Ellae was unfortunately betrothed to Leif, that kingdom’s prince. When she ran away to Emeryn, the humans insisted she’d been stolen, abducted, brainwashed, who knows. Their prince declared war to get her back. Many died. Fae and human alike. The fae blamed the humans, as you know, but they also faulted the mating bond itself for all the bloodshed and eventually ceased to believe in it at all. They insisted, instead, on choosing their companions themselves rather than waiting for some problematic cosmic connection.”

“But your parents were mates? Is that why you believe in it?” Lieke asked.

I nodded once, picturing them in my head—in particular the way my father was before Mother had passed. “I suppose so. I’ve seen the good that comes from it, the love, the dedication, the commitment...”

She remained quiet for a while, staring down at her lap. Did she think I was a fool for my beliefs? Why did I care if she did?

Clearing my throat, I finally said, “We should get some sleep. We have a long ride to Fairden in the morning.”

Lieke dropped her feet to the floor and stood, heading for the door. When I gave her a pointed look, she chuckled once. “Just going to the privy, Wolfie. Calm down.”

“Be careful,” I said.

Opening the door, she threw me an eyeroll over her shoulder. “I’ll try not to fall in.”

Before I could respond, she was gone, pulling the door shut behind her. The crackling and popping of the fire beckoned my attention, and I once again let my gaze soften as I watched the flames lap hungrily at the logs I’d added earlier.

I thought back to her question—Are you looking for her?—but it was drowned out by the memory of my father’s voice when he’d asked,Are you prepared to marry her for real?

Once more, I lowered my head into my hands, this time from weariness and frustration. I was no longer trying to earn her affections, of course. Yet the sweet moments with Lieke were beginning to fray my confidence that I could keep this ruse up without losing my heart to her against my will.

What if I fell for her just as Matthias had predicted? My mind then twisted my father’s question into a new one, one I didn’t have an answer to yet.

Am I prepared to let her go when this is over?

Outside our room, a set of boots clomped hastily on the stairs, and I whirled toward the door. Lieke should have been back by now. My throat tightened with dread as I stood.

When I stepped outside, though, I found the hallway empty. I sprinted down it, catching Lieke’s scent as I neared the top of the stairs. Why had she been here?

Bounding down, I cursed as I recognized another scent mixed in with hers.

Renata.

The main room of the inn was empty, and I couldn’t tell which way they had gone. As much as I hated shifting, I didn’t think twice before pulling at the magic in my blood and taking on my hound form. Their mixed scents hit me, and I took off running, out the back door and into the alley that ran along behind it. Swinging my head to the right, I scanned the stables but sensed nothing except the horses. They hadn’t gone there.

I turned left and took off, pushing my feet to go faster.

When Renata’s rough voice hit my ears, I skidded on the cobblestones and took a sharp turn down a side street. A growl rumbled in my chest.

Lieke, held by two of Griffin’s brothers, was pinned against a brick wall. Renata pressed a knife to her throat as she hissed in her face, but I didn’t hear what she said. I didn’t care. She would receive no mercy from me.

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