Page 130 of Until the Stars Fall

“And when was that?”

“Two days ago. He just sits in his room—as far as I know. I’ve knocked on his door, but he doesn’t answer.”

Matthias’s lips tightened into a thin line as he handed me the reins. “Take her to the stables for me? I’ll talk to him.”

I nodded silently, and he slipped past me quickly.

CHAPTER 64

Connor

I slouched lower in my armchair as I stared at the fire, replaying last night’s dream in my head for the millionth time. It had felt so real.Shehad felt real. I could almost taste her blood on my tongue and feel her hands around my—

The door to my room flew open, startling me when it banged into the wall. Matthias entered, threw the door closed behind him, and stormed toward me. His mouth was set in a firm line. His eyes blazed with fury.

“What in the fuck are you doing?” he asked, standing directly in front of me, resting his hand on the pommel of his sword.

I met his glare for a moment before shifting my gaze back to the flames. “Guessing you saw Lieke?”

“Yeah, I saw her. What did you do to her?”

My eyes slid closed, and I pulled in a slow breath. He wasn’t going to understand. Stars, I understood it—somewhat—and still couldn’t figure out what to do. It had been two days since I’d kissed her, and ever since then, I’d been hiding in here like a coward. She’d tried to visit, but every time she knocked, I pretended to be out.

“It’s complicated,” I said, huffing out a pathetic laugh at my choice of words given the rules she and I had set up to prevent this problem.

Well, not exactlythisproblem. This was the last thing I had expected to happen.

Matthias let out a loud sigh as he lowered himself into the other armchair. “She was out front when we arrived, Connor. Said she was worried about you.”

I laughed quietly, though none of this was funny in the slightest. I had already known she was worried. Somehow I could sense it. It was tugging at my nerves, as though her worry was now mine—along with her feelings of rejection and abandonment.

I dropped my head into my hands.

What was I going to do?

Matthias cleared his throat, but I didn’t look up. “You’ve been home for two days, and she hasn’t seen you since then? What happened?”

“I kissed her,” I mumbled.

My friend breathed out anokayand then asked, “And that warrants you becoming a creepy recluse…why?”

Raising my head slightly, I rested my chin on my clasped hands. “She’s my mate.”

Matthias’s eyes widened slowly and then narrowed, his brow tightening as he regarded me carefully, like he thought I would joke about this. “You’re serious?”

My face fell, dejected. “No. I’m lying.”

“You’re serious,” he repeated; this time it was not a question.

I nodded, pressing my lips together.

“Wait,” he said, sitting back in his chair and crossing an ankle over his knee. “Why is this a bad thing? You need a queen. You’re already engaged. And boom, your betrothed is your—”

“I can’t tell her,” I blurted out.

“Um, yes you can. You just told me. Pretty sure she understands words.”

“I’m not saying she’s stupid, Matthias. It would crush her.” I pushed to my feet and stormed into the other room. I needed a drink. Matthias watched me carefully from his seat as I poured myself a generous portion of brandy.

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