Page 78 of Tide Touched

I exhale, my head starting to pound. I’m careful not to touch Carter any more than I have to. I can feel Killian’s gaze boring into me, watching everywhere we touch.

‘It’s complicated,’ I murmur. I don’t want to open that can of worms. Not tonight. One day, I will find out why my mate bond is messed up. I look to Killian. ‘But he is my true mate.’

Ella smiles, as though pleased for me. Then she glances at Moira and Elijah. ‘So, you two are mates as well? Fire and Earth?’

They look at each other. ‘Yep,’ they say simultaneously.

Ella chuckles. ‘You’re lucky. I hope I’ll find my mate one day.’

‘You will,’ I tell her. ‘Now, you’re free to.’

The grassy plains stretch out before us, disappearing far into the distance. Stars wink brightly overhead as our horses trot away from the Water estate, as though as eager to leave as we are. There’s a lot we have to do, and many questions I need to answer. But for now, the people I care about are safe.

I never thought I would have more than Moira. Me, the beach-loving freak. Now that I do, I feel blessed. I meet Killian’s gaze, hoping he isn’t mad at me, but his expression is hard, unreadable.

Only a few weeks ago, I had never left home. Never even dreamt that I would see this much of the world, experience all that I have. I meet Moira’s gaze, and I swear she’s thinking the same thing. For the longest time, we were all each other had. I hold my hand out, and she manages to hold hers out and take mine. It’s a miracle neither of us fall off our horses.

Elijah holds his hands out, ready to catch her should we topple off and wreak even more havoc.

I have to quickly grasp Carter as he nearly slides from the saddle. Having him and Killian travel together is going to cause some problems. I take a deep breath, inhaling the sweet, night air.

But that’s tomorrow’s problem. Tonight, everything worked out. We all survived.

How long can that last?

The End

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