Page 62 of Lana Pecherczyk
What? Her mind scrambled backward. She had called him that, right before he’d magically bound her to the forest floor and left her helpless.
“No, that time was actually an insult,” she clarified. “But for Ada and Trix, it was friendly.” Bloody hell. She was so shit at explaining. “Believe me, the Aussie version of mate doesn’t have the same definition as the fae version of mate.”
The bugger gave her nothing, just crossed his arms and radiated smug enjoyment over her floundering.
“Right.” Lark winked. “That’s why you were ready to tear apart the forest to save them both.”
Blake groaned and wished the ground would swallow her. She only had her stubbornness to blame for this mess.
“Speaking of the forest.” Talo’s wings shook out with a soft whoosh, resplendent and dark against the dappled light. The sisters followed suit, their feathers rippling in unison. “We should head back to the roost before sunset.”
Despite his casual stance, River’s angst and shame sliced through the block on their bond. Blake’s heart seized as understanding clicked. His damaged wings. His inability to fly home with his family.
“Actually,” she blurted, “I get terrible airsickness. Could we maybe walk?”
“Of course!” Talo’s head tilted, sharp and bird-like. “More time to discuss your progressive relationship choices. You girls hurry home and let your mother know we’re coming.”
“But we’re not…” Blake’s protest died as Sera launched skyward with a powerful thrust of wings, her laughter trailing behind her. Ash silently flipped off River and rocketed upward. Lark hesitated, clearly torn over wanting to stay for what promised to be a riveting conversation, before finally surrendering to the air with a disappointed sigh. Her coin pouch clinked as she disappeared above the canopy.
“Dad,” River said. “Give us a moment to ourselves.”
“Oh.” Understanding filled Talo’s gaze as it darted between River and Blake. “You two lovebirds need a post-battle pressure release. Got it.”
“What?” Blake squeaked.
“That’s good for the heart.” Talo gave two thumbs up, wings flapping once, then stalled. “But shouldn’t Ash be here for that?”
River groaned and palmed his face.
Talo waggled his dark brows. “You want me to fetch him?”
“No!” both Blake and River shouted.
Talo’s gaze locked onto their blue mating marks. He frowned after the direction Ash left and then flattened his lips. “Why did your human call Ash her mate, then?”
“She’s confused,” River growled. “That’s all.”
“I’m not confused,” she shot back, indignant. “I’m just Australian.”
“Oh-kay.” Talo gave another, contemplative, bird-like tilt of his head. “I’ll leave you two to unravel that knot. But maybe take the shortcut.”
“Why?” River tensed.
“We’re on the outs with the Cardonas.”
A flash of fury and something jagged with grief broke through River’s block. “Cloud?”
“That too.” Talo’s gaze lifted with a sigh. “The Donna matched Lark to Tommas Cardona?—”
“What?!” River barked. “When did this happen? Why didn’t anyone tell me?”
“Don’t take that tone with me.”
River rubbed his fist over his heart. “But?—”
“But as I was trying to say earlier, the match was called off. Carlotta Cardona took offense. And when one Cardona takes offense, their entire kettle takes offense. Ravi may have said something hurtful about Cloud’s unsanctioned Vendetta.” Taloscrubbed his hands through his hair. “Of course, insults about our roosting position volleyed back. Anyway, the point is, the Nesting Ceremony has been canceled.”
The color drained from River’s face. “Are you telling me that after hundreds of years of friendship and loyalty, our families are now feuding?”
