Page 48 of Healing His Mate

Thankfully, I planned for this.

Extracting the piece of petal paper from my pocket, I fold it in half and stick the corner deep into a crack in the wood. Then I press a glob of adhesive on the outer corner, ensuring the bitter wind will not blow it away.

The note explains where I will be, and for how long. I also tell her I am looking forward to seeing her when I return. I wanted to say more, but I know this is all I should say. At least for now.

Once it is secured, I make my way toward the ship. Toward Trovilia.

Away from Nalba.

CHAPTER 24

NALBA

Ipeek my head out the front window of my shop, admiring the deep, dark purples of the early evening sky. A violent wind whips through the air, and I tug the window closed.

Wrapping myself in a fur shawl, I walk around the tables, aimlessly, wondering for the hundredth time where Waldric is. He said he wanted space. I understand this. He deserves it after the way I have treated him.

I suppose I am surprised he has kept his word. I thought he would show up, take it all back, and insist on preparing my final meal of the day. That is the Waldric I have come to know. But it is also the Waldric I failed to notice before. That tells me it is the Waldric I do not deserve.

I am not certain I have ever felt the kind of devotion he has given me. Not from friends, not from lovers, not from family, and certainly not from Yignnuf. The love Ekoya and I share runs deep within our bones, but it is different. She has always been wild and on her own path.

It is impossible not to wonder why Waldric has remained interested in me over the years. If I barely noticed him, as he said, why did he not give up on me? What was he getting out of that unrequited love?

Unless, of course, Waldric has been lusting after a version of me he never truly knew. With the success and notoriety I gained on Trovilia with my inventions, also came many suitors. The males who tried to court me seemed entranced by this idea they had created in their minds of who I was. Most were disappointed upon getting to know the real me and discovering I am different. Some expected me to be funnier. Some assumed I was more beautiful up close. Others wanted to get access to details of top-secret projects I had not yet completed. None of them were truly interested in me.

Perhaps that is what drew Waldric to me early on, but it is clearly not what kept him interested, because it was deeper than that. He wanted to know everything I was willing to share. He wanted to get to know me so well that he could anticipate my needs. His only goal was to make me happy. He wanted to give, not take.

Tragically, the moment I learned what kind of male he is––how loving, kind, and resilient––felt like the moment I lost him.

He is probably at the food hall, assisting the others with final meal. I am not entirely interested in making conversation with the rest of the clan right now, but I will bear it if it means I can see him. Be near him.

The moment I step outside, a white object flapping in the breeze catches my attention. It is . . . paper? I am careful to dislodge it from the adhesive holding it against the door, and slowly unfold it.

It is from Waldric.

Whatever he has to say, it cannot be good. Otherwise, he would say it to my face, yes? My eyes skim through it as blood rushes to my cheeks and neck. His handwriting is disastrously sloppy––I can barely read it––but a handful of phrases jump out at me.

“Nalba…

…wish to say…I am leaving…

…with Vye-let…off to Trovilia…”

And there is one in particular that sets my blood on fire.

“…with the help of Queen Ekoya…”

A growl rips from my throat the moment I read my sister’s name. She is to blame for this? My own sister has taken my ma—

Wait. No. He is not my mate. There has been no tether between us. But that does not matter, does it? Regardless of title, Waldric is the one I wish to spend my remaining days with.

And Ekoya has taken him from me.

I turn abruptly to go inside and plan my next move, but the wind howls through the trees again and pulls the paper from my grasp. I call out in anger as I watch it float toward the sky, but I realize this is a waste of my rage. If I am to unleash my fury, I must do so with a proper plan.

The moment I see my screen pad on the table, however, all rational thought leaves my skull. I send a comm to Ekoya at once, holding the screen pad so tightly, I half expect the screen to shatter.

“Sister!” she shouts happily upon answering.

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