He seemed to like that idea.
“You’re always right,” I said, sounding fond. I didn’t want him to linger on how fun it would be to remind me of my little stunt earlier, even though I knew it was likely his way of dealing with the worry from the situation. I knew how scared he’d beenfor me, and I understood now just how much my fall had scared him. I would’ve been terrified had it been him.
“That,I am,” he beamed. “But on a more serious note, are you up for some deep talk?”
“Bring it.”
“We’re mated now and I guess I just need to ask a few questions, ones I’ve tried not to think too hard about until I was certain you were mine.”
“Okay? Is there something that worries you?” I couldn’t imagine what it was. We would live with my family at the royal palace, like Harpy would with Nym. Was he afraid he wouldn’t see his family again if we picked my home?
“Will I be accepted as your mate?” he whispered, sitting down on his mattress on the floor. I wished he’d rejoined me on my bed, but maybe he needed distance while we talked.
“Why wouldn’t you be accepted?” I asked.
“Because I’m a commoner and you’re a prince.”
I scoffed at that. “My father, Luka, was the royal stableboy when The Magic chose him as king. They’re the most accepting people you could ever meet. Only one of my fathers came from royalty and was a prince before he mated with my father, Luka.”
“Really?”
I nodded. “They’ll adore you.”
He smiled, this time with excitement. “I can’t believe we’re going to be together forever.”
“Me neither,” I smiled. “Now get back up here and love me.”
He laughed, but rose to join me, taking my hand in his as he carefully laid down next to me on the small bed. “I’ll stay here until you fall asleep,” he whispered.
“Okay,” I smiled, closing my eyes as fatigue took over. Now that I felt safe and warm next to my mate, it was as though my body couldn’t stay awake any longer.
After waking up in Casey’s arms, I’d pretty much floated around on a pink cloud of love. Janine hadn’t been there when we left the medical ward, but my salve had been left out for me and a young female healer had handed it over before we left.
Now, we were eating breakfast, our first ever breakfast as mates.
“You spent the night together?” Nym asked, his eyes wide with surprise and a bit of envy.
I smiled, remembering how perfect the night had been, even with my aching body. “We sure did. It was amazing waking up in his arms.”
Casey blushed next to me, bumping his side into mine.
“Ugh,” Nym grunted. “Why can’t the rest of us sleep with our mates? Why do you need to be injured to get that sort of luxury?”
“Well, if Harpy had accepted you earlier, Nym, then you would’ve had the same experience when you hit your head,” Ryn drawled. He loved poking at the dragon, his smug smile said as much.
“Behave,” Nym growled, but it was playful. We were family and loved to tease, even if Nym could easily be riled up.
“Oh!” Myve exclaimed, startling most of us. “That means Casey and Harpy are family now! How fun is that?!”
Casey and Harpy both laughed at that, then shared a fond look. They’d dated but knew they weren’t fated mates once they’d turned eighteen, now Harpy was with Nym and I was with Casey. It was perfect in my opinion, mostly because Casey and Harpy still loved one another, just as friends, now.
“It will make moving into a palace less daunting,” Casey muttered.
“Tell me about it,” Harpy sighed. “I’m glad I won’t be facing them alone.”
Ryn scoffed at that. “You do realize we’ll all find our mates here right? You wouldn’t have been alone no matter what.”
Harpy rolled his eyes at that. “I know that, but I’m close to Casey. I have no idea who the rest of you will end up with.” Then he winced and looked apologetically at Myve.