Page 88 of Beneath the Cursed Veil

No lie, a significant part of me was panicking. Fae didn’t have fated mates anymore. That somehow we were? It was crazy. Utterly insane . . . but also made a strange sort of sense.

I didn’t know much about fated bonds. My parents were chosen mates. I’d never heard of people dreaming about each other long before they ever met. I doubt Vareck had either, or he would have connected the dots sooner.

Maybe it was because of the curse?

I wasn’t sure, but I knew what I felt. The truth of it went soul deep, as undeniable as the sun in the sky.

I slipped from the bed, stuffing a pillow under Vareck’s arm where I had been. A pucker formed between his brows, as if he sensed that I’d moved.

“You’re up early.” I jumped at the voice.

Corvo lay across the fur rug in front of the fireplace, warming himself with what heat the embers still had left.

I turned quickly, scanning the room for something to wear. Faux golden leaves lined the walls, twisting into decorative vines along the ceiling. Other than the bed, the only other furniture was a low-dresser and two armchairs with a small table between them.

I opened the drawers, wincing when they let out a small squeak. Each one was empty as the last. My lips pressed together. I could dress in the clothes from yesterday . . . if I wanted a repeat performance of last night.

I did, but the ache in my muscles told me it wasn’t thegreatest idea. It also didn’t solve the clothes problem, because eventually we did have to leave.

“What are you looking for?”

I glanced over at Corvo and glared. “Clothes. Also, do you have to stare at me while I’m naked? It’s weird.”

He chuffed. “I’m a cat.”

“I don’t care if you’re a blue alien or the hottest man alive, it’s still weird.”

He rolled his golden eyes. “You’re so dramatic, but fine. I suppose I owe you for the whole pixie dust thing . . .” My duffle bag from the castle appeared, still unzipped with a bra hanging out.

I blinked. All right, then.

My choices were limited since none of the clothes Vareck bought me were in it. In the end I selected a pair of jeans with rolled up cuffs, a plain long-sleeved shirt, and a stylish sweater vest to go over it.

While cute, I was going to freeze my ass off if I stepped outside. “Can you get my cloak?”

“What am I? A pack mule?”

“Didn’t you just say you owed me?”

Corvo groaned. “Fine. Don’t say I never do anything nice for you.”

I snorted as my cloak appeared. I finished tying it around my shoulders, then looked at my bare feet. “What are the odds you can get me some shoes and wool socks too?”

They appeared, but he looked displeased. “I really ought to start charging you for this. I take payment in pets and tuna.”

I padded over the rug to kneel beside him, giving a scratch behind the ear. Corvo purred, leaning into my hand. “Ohhhh yes. That’s the spot.” When I stood back up, he letout a sound of protest. “Wait a minute, where are you going?”

He glanced between me and the sleeping king. If a cat could have lifted an eyebrow, he would have.

“Downstairs.”

His eyes narrowed. “I would think after last night you wouldn’t up and run away again. I mean, it was amusing the first time, but like, V will bepissedif he has to chase you down now that you both know you’re mates.”

I whirled on him, pointing an accusing finger. “How do you know that?”

“I believe I told you this before you fell out the window.”

I lifted my hands to form air quotes as I repeated, “Fell.”

---