Page 48 of Scales and Seduction

I’m shocked to hear Ruby talk so casually about finding a mate. It must be something they spoke about when I wasn’t around, but I didn’t think Silas would ever be interested in being with someone long-term. He’s far too uptight about his personal space, and Loran has never dated, as far as I know.

Loran clears his throat, but I see the way his cheeks tint. Both of my friends want what I have. “We need to find out who is pulling the strings before we bring more humans into this mess,” he says, glossing over the other conversation entirely, as if he doesn’t want it to continue.

I won’t press it. For now, I’ll let them handle their own life. If I have Ruby, who am I to judge what they do? They know the risks involved now more than ever.

“Where do we even start?” Ruby asks as a huge yawn pulls her mouth open before she covers it with her hand. “Sorry. I’m exhausted.”

Calista smiles knowingly, rising to her feet. The room is heavy with exhaustion, and there’s no reason to continue a plan now when it’s so late. “Let’s call it a night then, shall we? We need our Ruby fully rested for her training tomorrow.”

One by one, the others stand from the table. Silas stretches before heading out to the porch, and Loran collects the dishes as Ruby helps. The moment I push back from the table, Calista grabs hold of my wrist.

“Walk with me for a little bit, Pokey,” she says, her voice full of something devious.

“But—”

Calista pins me with a stare, and I comply with a resigned sigh. She knows I can’t say no, not when she’s being so gracious as to help us both. Still, I’m far too exhausted for much more tonight.

The crisp night air hits me the moment we step onto the back porch. Stars dot the sky in a way that feels almost too perfect and too peaceful for the last few days. “What is it?” I ask, hiding my own yawn from her view.

“You love her,” Calista says as she looks over the land with a knowing smile on her lips.

I don’t respond immediately; I don’t need to. I know she can sense it; everyone in that room can. Glancing back at the house, I peek into the window, looking at Ruby as she helps Loran with the dishes. She’s beautiful, and she’s mine. I love her with everything in me.

Calista turns to me, giving me a warm look that I wish my own mother had given me when I told her about Ruby. Though, Calista has always been the one to give me the affection she didn’t. “Do you intend on marrying her?”

I swallow roughly, hearing my throat bob. I’m completely caught off guard by the question. I haven’t thought about it. Truly, our bond is far beyond a marriage could ever be, but I want everything with Ruby that I’ve never wanted before. “Of course I have…but?—”

Calista rolls her eyes, shaking her head incredulously. “But what? You waiting for some grand moment? Are you waiting on the council, or even your mother, to give permission?”

Hesitating to agree or disagree, I allow myself just a few moments to think about what she’s implying. I’ve allowed them to make every choice for me since Atticus disappeared, and since Ruby came to the Vale, I’ve taken my life back for myself. This new freedom is something entirely new to me, something I wasn’t sure that I would ever be permitted again.

“I just don’t want to rush her. She’s been through enough, and now with her being given magical powers…” I pause, letting out a heavy sigh. “There’s so much we don’t know, and if she changes her mind and wants to go back home—” I want to say the end of the sentence, but the words hang in my throat. If she changes her mind, it will completely devastate me.

Calista shakes her head,tskingsoftly as she chuckles to herself. “Gideon, listen to me, okay? Life doesn’t wait for perfection. You’ll always have reasons to delay things, but, if she’s your mate… If she’s it for you...” She pauses, giving me a soft smile. “Don’t waste time. We never know what might happen to us at any given moment.”

My chest grows tight, and the lump in my throat feels so much larger at the thought of such a step forward. “Do you think she would say yes?”

Reaching up, Calista cups my cheek like she used to when I was younger. “Oh, Pokey,” she says with a sigh. “That girl already belongs to you. And you belong to her. Don’t be an idiot and let uncertainty steal your happiness.”

For a moment, I can’t breathe, and my ability to speak or even think feels so far away. Glancing back toward the house, toward the soft lights of the kitchen, I smile warmly. Inside, Ruby is laughing, and Loran, one of my best friends, is smiling at her, completely at ease. They look so happy. It looks like home.

I swallow thickly, nodding nearly the only thing I can muster. “I won’t wait,” I say quietly. “Not anymore.”

“Good.” Calista smiles, giving my cheek a final pat before she turns toward the door. “Have her here tomorrow at seven a.m. Now get her home.”

As she leaves me standing there, staring at the love of my life, my mate, for the first time, I allow myself to hope.

The morning air is crisp, and the smell of hay fills my lungs as I make my way to the doorstep of the old farmhouse. Gideon took me that far at least, swearing he’d be back soon, something about an errand to run. The charming green and cream farmhouse feels like something magical. It’s so peaceful, a world away from the chaos I’ve endured lately. Still, there’s an underlying fear buzzing under my skin just knowing I’m working on mymagic.

Calista is already outside, rolling up the sleeves of an old linen tunic. Her long silver hair is braided over one shoulder, a twinkle in her eye as she waves me over. “Are you ready, little dove?” She’s filled with amusement at the way my nose crinkles at the nickname.

I try not to laugh, but I can’t help myself. “Little dove?”

“Yes, you give me a clear image of a dove,” she says cryptically as she leads me into the house. We make our way to the living room with floor couches the color of a sunset. Photos line the walls of Silas and his little sister, along with a male centaur who must be his dad. Calista motions for me to sit while she folds her legs under her in front of me.

“Now,” Calista says with a smooth guiding tone, “Gideon mentioned a little about your powers, but I want to hear it from you directly.”

My powers? I sit thinking for a few moments, lingering on what I felt and what I might consider their specific twang of magic might be called, but my mind draws a blank.

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