13. Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Thirteen
“ M av? What’s the matter?” Colette’s voice was full of surprise and concern, the venom’s haze clearly lifting. Further proof of what Mav had just realized. The thought had flashed through her mind, but she had been too caught up in the sensations of being with Colette to let it sink in.
When a manticore found their mate, their venom would induce a heightened state rather than rendering them unconscious. Mav hadn’t thought about this particular fact of her existence for a good long while; she had assumed manticores could only mate with other manticores. Apparently not.
She didn’t know what to say. “Colette, you…I’m your mate.
” Mav’s voice was a whisper. She didn’t know how to feel.
There was joy in her heart, but also apprehension.
What would Colette think of having a manticore mate?
What would the king think of Mav taking a thief into her bed?
! No promises had passed between them; for all Mav knew, Colette never wanted to see her again after tonight.
It wasn’t really her career Mav cared about, if she were to be honest with herself. It was the belonging that she hoped would come with her success. It was the acceptance that should go along with accolades and leadership. That’s what she craved.
The seconds after Mav’s declaration felt like they lasted an eternity. Colette’s brow furrowed slightly, but her perfect lips pulled into a bit of a smile.
“Manticores have mates?”
Mav nodded, suddenly feeling very vulnerable from where she still lay sprawled on the rug.
“And…I’m yours?”
The words on Colette’s lips sounded so right, but Mav knew not to be too hopeful. “Yes.”
“Well, that’s a bit inconvenient since you’re supposed to arrest me.” Colette laughed, her smile bright and lovely.
Mav couldn’t help but smile back at her.
“Really though, you aren’t upset?” Mav asked.
“Upset that I have a sweet, talented, beautiful manticore that is fated by the old gods to love me forever? No, Mav. I am surprised, but not upset.”
The sheer relief that Mav felt renewed the tears that had filled her eyes only moments ago.
“I am not sure what exactly we are going to do though…I am a bit of a problem for you, Mav.” Colette’s features shifted into an expression of consideration. She looked as if she was trying to solve a puzzle. Mav supposed she was.
“Maybe we should get dressed and get out of this house before we try to solve all of our problems?” Mav suggested. Colette laughed, and Mav felt like she could face anything in the world with this woman by her side.