“And it truly is no trouble? I don’t mind sleeping in the chair.”
She laughed, a raspy rich tone. “You think you’re the first mate who refuses to leave a wounded mate’s side? We normally need to make room so mates aren’t separated when one is injured. It makes them agitated, and no one wants that.”
I was ready for Casey to correct her, informing her that we were just friends, but instead he just whispered, “Thank you.”
Once I heard the door close, I dared opening my eyes. I was alone in a small room. When my brother Nym had been injured, he’d been in a big room filled with beds. I wondered why I’d gotten an entire room for myself.
The door opened softly once I’d situated myself as well as I could on the bed. My entire body was aching and bruised, but my arm felt little to no pain, likely because Janine had to numb it before putting the bones together. I had a sling around it, making it clear to everyone that I’d fucked up. Thankfully, it was my left arm.
Casey came into view, walking on soft feet so as to not wake me. “Hi,” I rasped, making him jump.
He held his hand over his heart, his eyes wild. “Are you trying to kill me?!”
I laughed at that, then winced from the pain it caused me. Damn stomach muscles were aching.
He hurried over, a gentle hand on my shoulder. “Are you okay? Need me to grab you anything?”
I shook my head. “Please just stay?” I didn’t want to be alone in this tiny room the entire night and feared now that I was awake he would leave.
“You really think I could leave you here alone? I would never hear the end of it.” He tried to joke, but it was clear that my fall had scared him.
“I’m sorry,” I said, trying to reach for him with my good arm. “I fell asleep in the tree and then saw Riddick was trying to kiss you. I just forgot I couldn’t fly, I suppose.”
He scoffed, but with his glassy eyes it seemed forced. “Why were you even in that tree? You normally venture further into the woods and play around in there.”
It was true. I liked hiding and that tree had been on the outskirts of the forest, but that had also been the reason why I’d chosen it, wanting to make sure Casey was all right.
I felt silly admitting it, but I had to. “I wanted to watch over you.” My eyes were downcast as I whispered the words, but I felt his eyes on me.
“Why?” he asked, not in an accusatory tone, more like genuine interest.
“Why?” I scoffed. “You’re my best friend, Casey. I know we haven’t known each other long, but it’s true. Even my closest friends at home don't compare to how much you mean to me.” I looked at him, needing him to know the truth of my words. “I love you, Casey.”
One thing about Casey that I admired above all else was how proudly he shared his emotions, so him crying should’ve been expected. But as his tears fell, I was struck by how it affected me.
“Please don’t cry!” I begged. “Because if you cry then—” I began to cry. Why? Because seeing Casey so emotional seemed to break something inside of me, something only he could fix.
Then he finally spoke, voice loud and clear, “You’re such an idiot!”
“What?” I choked, wiping at my eyes with my good arm.
“You love me?”
I nodded.
“Then why thefuckhaven’t you realized I’m your mate yet?!”
Now, I’d seen Casey heartbroken from when Harpy found Nym, and I’d seen him scared. I’d seen him laugh and tease. I thought, stupidly, that I’d seen all of his emotions. Right now, I knew I’d never seen him truly angry. He was shaking with it, his hands fisted at his sides, eyes glaring at me.
“Um,” I said, not knowing what to say to him. “Mates?” I croaked, trying to piece what he’d just said together in my brain.
“Yes! You fuckingidiot. MATES!”
“But,” I stammered. “How do you know?”
“Because I love you, too! No matter how fucking oblivious you are! Or maybe because I long to be around you, or perhaps, simply because you’remine.”
Chapter Four