Sure, we can go with that. I nodded because speaking required air, and I seemed to have forgotten how to breathe.
He released my neck to palm the back of his own, his opposite hand still on my hip. “It’s complicated.” I expected him to leave it at that, but he surprised me by continuing. “That night we first met, you were so utterly broken. I’d never seen anyone so shattered in my life, and the sight honestly took my breath away. Rage unlike anything I’ve ever felt overwhelmed me. I wanted to kill the human who put you in that powerless state.
“But I couldn’t. So I followed you home to ensure you were safe. Then I gave the information to the Council. Your identity was clear to me through our instant blood connection, your royal line a famous one. My father looked over your situation personally—you saw his notes in the file.”
I recalled the documents he’d given me last month and nodded. There’d been detailed reports about the death of my parents and my subsequent upbringing by Clarissa. The early notes didn’t comment on my treatment, just
stating I was in a home with means and would receive a proper human education.
It was the last two years of documentation that included information on Ryan, Carmen, Dash, and Charlie.
“Well, your file was given to me about half a year ago as a potential candidate. And when I saw how much you’d endured, my heart broke for you all over again. But then, I saw the fighter in the details. The way you handled every situation thrown your way with grace and determination. And I knew then that you were the one for me.” He released his neck. “Fuck, I think I even knew the night we met. Your touch was magic. I’d never felt anything like it in my sixteen years. And I never forgot it.”
Sixteen years? “Wait… How old are you?”
His brow furrowed. “Nearly twenty, why?”
“I didn’t realize you were older than me.” Some sense settled into me with that admission. “Wait, how much do I really know about you?”
He gave me a look. “We’ve spent the last month together, where I’ve outlined every detail of fae life, including that of my history. I’d say you know quite a bit.”
“But I didn’t know your age or that we’re apparently betrothed by a council of fae.” I frowned. “Saying that out loud makes it sound insane.”
“Because you’ve grown up in the human world, where mortals date for endless months or years, wed, divorce, and start all over again.”
“That’s a bit of a generalization. Not everyone divorces,” I pointed out.
“But they do spend an awfully long time—given their short time spans—dating before marriage.”
Okay, he had a point, but… “Again, not all of them.”
“Regardless, what I’m trying to say is that your standards are dictated by your human experience. Fae are very different.”
I twisted my lips to the side, a memory of something he’d said about my mother’s marriage to my father nagging at me. “You said my dad wouldn’t have been able to move on had he been a fae.”
“Right. Because fae mate for life.”
“Meaning, if you bite me, we’re together forever.”
“Yes, that’s what I’ve been trying to explain.”
“And you didn’t want to bite me, even though we’re betrothed according to the Council,” I added, frowning. “Because you’re not ready?”
“No, because I wanted you to understand the implications of my biting you. Unlike many of my kind, I don’t believe in forcing a mating bond on my intended.”
My eyebrows lifted. “The male fae do that?”
“All the time,” he drawled, glancing over his shoulder at a group of men walking to the club.
I’d almost forgotten about our surroundings. “Did they hear us?” I wondered out loud. Except they would have stopped, right? It wasn’t every day two people spoke about fae.
“No, I’m cloaking us,” he replied absently. “But we should probably head back, either to Darlington or to my family condo here in the city. It’s getting late.”
“What about Kols?”
Tray smirked. “Oh, he’ll be fine. He’s either moved on to another conquest or decided that little brunette was enough for the night. Regardless, he can take care of himself.”
“I thought you said he was engaged to Emma?” I asked, allowing him to pull me away from the wall and into the street.