“What I mean is, yes. Maybe his mate will fall right on his, um—”
“If the mere thought of my cock turns you that red,” Dayton gleams, “then imagine what you’d look like with it in your—”
“Stop being crude,” I snap. “The point is, Dayton is right that he might find his mate in the Summer Realm. You’re certainly not going to find your mates sitting in the castle like you, Kel. It’s not like you’re going to wake up one day and feel your mating bond burst to life inside of you.”
“And why not?” He glares at me.
“Because it doesn’t work that way!”
“Doesn’t it?” His gaze is a blue fire across the table.
I’ve read every book on mates in the damned library over the last month, and it seems Keldarion is intent on testing that knowledge. “Okay, technically you could wake up one morning and feel it. But it’s doubtful. Something likely has to trigger it.”
“And what are these potential triggers, Rosalina?”
I breathe in a steadying breath. “This actually has nothing to do with my—”
“Should we get Farron back here to properly explain?”
“Potential triggers for awakening your bond could involve an incident with you or your mate near-death. Any intense emotion from either, within a certain proximity, could do it. And proximity is something Farron and I have been researching. From what we can tell, it’s not endless. I’m not sure about the magic of this castle, but I don’t think your bonds will reach your realms. Possibly into the Briar as that’s where the castle is grounded in reality, but unless your mate is a goblin, Keldarion, you’re not going to randomlyfeelher.”
He matches my glare and plops a grape into his mouth. At least that shut him up for now. I turn back to Ezryn and Dayton.
“I believe the curse has caused your mating bonds to lie dormant. Or it could be the fact that most of you don’t leave the castle.” Farron told me that at first, he, Dayton, and Ez had tried walking around the realms during the day, but year after year of nothing had eroded their hope. And their mates would have to love them, beasts and all. “Dayton has probably had the most exposure, figuring you do sometimes leave to drink during the day and on full moons. Have you ever felt—”
“Oh, I’ve felt a lot,” Dayton says.
“Listen.” I shake my head, running my hands through my hair, trying to remember the passages in my book. “In all the books, they say the bond is indescribable, which is super unhelpful. But from what I gather it’s like… starlight igniting your whole body, realizing there was an empty part of your heart and having it filled…”
I trail off and see all of them staring at me with unreadable expressions. Well, expect Ezryn. There, I just see my awkward reflection.
“Dayton, have you ever felt anything like that before?”
“No,” he says automatically, but his eyes flick to the door before going back to me.
Unhelpful, every single one of them. Every day, I am less and less surprised these idiots have not broken the curse. I swear, I could deliver each of their mates directly onto their laps, and they still wouldn’t be able to break this bloody thing.
Alas, I must forge ahead. “Finding your mates is the prominent part of breaking this curse, and we’re going to do it with exposure therapy!”
“Uh, what?” Dayton blinks.
“In other words,” I throw my arms out for emphasis, “a grand ball!”
“A ball?” Ezryn repeats slowly.
“Yes.” I heave in a breath to explain before they can stop me. “It’s the perfect opportunity to meet lots of eligible people—and touch them. Sometimes, just being in the same room as your mate can cause the bond to awaken. Farron and I were thinking each of the realms could host one. That way, you can meet fae from all around the Enchanted Vale.”
“You know me, love.” Dayton smiles. “I’m always down for a party.”
“The winter solstice is a few weeks away. If we host our first ball in the Winter Realm, it might also help inspire the people,” I suggest tentatively. From what Kel’s vizier had been saying, the Winter Realm could use a little pick me up.
“The solstice does not fall on a full moon,” Ezryn says. “It would have to be during the day.”
Hope swells within me. That isn’t a no. “Yes, we could market it as a full day celebration. Spread rumors the princes are looking for partners. That will bring in an eager crowd.”
“Dancing with a bunch of fae and drinking during the day?” Dayton laughs. “You have my support.”
“I suppose the idea has some merit,” Ezryn says. “However, we would have to be most cautious to leave for the castle before nightfall. No one can know about the curse.”