Page 10 of Courting the King of Cliffs

“She’s not a kid anymore.” The words slipped out before I had time to consider whether saying them was truly a good idea.

“So you noticed.”

Shit.

I said nothing.

His eyes narrowed further.

“What do you want me to say here?” I finally rasped. “Of course I’ve noticed she’s not a kid. She’s fucking gorgeous.”

“She’s been looking for a mate.” He leaned back in his chair, his glare fading, though he continued studying me.

A rock may as well have lodged itself in my throat, for all I could breathe.

“The way you saw her—she hasn’t been like that in years. I should’ve made sure she had a better place to live before Reeve was born, but the castle is the only place in my kingdom where you can’t hear the wind.”

And if she could hear the wind, she’d be overwhelmed much of the time.

“So you want me to ask her to stay here permanently?” I asked, trying not to let him see how much he’d fucked me up with what he’d said about her looking for a mate.

“Only if you’re going to tell her the truth.”

I closed my eyes for a long moment before opening them agai. “You know?”

“Of course I know. Quake told me a few days after you realized. A sane man doesn’t keep secrets about his best friend’s daughter.”

Fucking Quake.

“You know why I haven’t told her,” I said.

“I know you can both control your magic. It might not be compatible, but that doesn’t mean you aren’t. Love can dull pain, both mental and physical.”

“Or it could make both of our lives worse. She can’t be hurt by what she doesn’t know.”

“Would it hurt you if she kissed another man last week without you knowing?”

My lips twisted in a snarl.

It was a damn good thing I’d been in the desert earlier, blowing off steam, or I would’ve fucking attacked him.

“Tell her, or let her go.” He stood up. “And when she wakes up, make sure she comes home so we can see that she’s alive. Harper’s worried about her.”

“I will,” I said.

I wasn’t sure whether I was agreeing to tell her that we were fated mates, or just tell her to go home.

Apparently I needed to figure it out, though, and fast.

Chapter 5

Dove

When I woke up, my mind was clearer than it had been in two months.

Between the silence, the spices I could smell, and the comfort of the house, I about decided I was never going to leave again.

My stomach was rumbling, though, so staying put wasn’t an option.

---