Forty-Seven
CHAPTER
“Do you trust me?” Zathrian asked, his hand reaching out for mine.
I bit down on my bottom lip, my eyes resting on the lines of his palm.
I smiled. “Always.” I never questioned my trust in him.
At least, not once I knew about the Mate Bond between us.
Who in their right mind would betray their Mate?
Well, I could think of someone, but that wasn’t something or someone I wanted to think about, let alone speak of. My attention turned back to Zathrian.
He smiled, that sparkling coy smile of his.
His hand was still outstretched, waiting for me to take it, and I did.
Zathrian leaned into me and planted a kiss against my temple.
His lips were soft, sugary sweet. “Let me show you the City of Stars. Polaris is more beautiful than you can imagine, I assure you. It’s about time that you see it for yourself. ”
“If it is anything like your, I mean, our home I’m sure it is. I still can’t believe I have been staying in the Realm of Stars for as long as I have, yet I haven’t been to the city until now.”
Zathrian nodded. “Far too long, in my opinion.”
“I suppose,” I replied.
Zathrian gave my hand a gentle squeeze, tugging me down the moonstone pathway. The sun was high in the sky, hidden behind a blanket of clouds.
Zathrian pulled himself closer to me, walking the moonstone path beside me.
“So, you grew up here?” I asked.
“In the city?” he questioned.
I nodded.
“Yes and no. Most of my time was spent at home as my parents were busy and preferred to keep a close eye on me. However, Viotto’s father was once a general, so he would let Viotto, Mateo, and me come along when he had business in the city.
Viotto grew up in the city, though. Not that he spent much time here.
But I always loved it from the beginning,” Zathrian answered.
I smiled. “Sounds like the three of you were always troublemakers.” I swayed our hands back and forth with each step we took.
“We were,” he sighed wistfully.
“You still are,” I snickered.
He playfully nudged me. “We are, and don’t act all innocent. You are, too.”
“Oh, please I—Wow,” I whispered under my breath, admiring the detailed silver etching and moonstone architecture of the city. It was so different walking through it than it was admiring it from afar.
Zathrian smiled, and I felt the warmth of his joy through the Bond. The butterflies in my stomach fluttered about.
“Can we come back at night sometime?” I really wanted to see what the city looked like up close when the moonstone was bright and glowing. It looked pretty from afar, but I could only imagine what it looked like actually being amongst it.
I imagined it would be romantic.
“We can come back anytime you would like,” he answered.
I nodded excitedly. “Good.” As we admired the various shops and stores we passed, heads turned in our direction. Whispers slipped past our ears, speaking of us. Zathrian and I had heard the rumors of what his people were saying.
Rumors of a prophecy, of how I was the Bringer of Peace and that I was the offspring of the Gods themselves. That I was made for Zathrian. No two Mate Bonds were the same and ours, while forged from mutual hatred, had turned into a burning passion that would never die.
The smell of Shepherd’s pie filled my nose, and I tugged Zathrian into the direction of it the moment I recognized that scent.
We weaved in and around the crowd, making it into the heart of the city square.
The square was covered in the Realm’s banners.
Royal blue and silver covered the area in various celestial decor.
Music played and patrons danced. The music was lively and energetic to the point that even I had the urge to dance, an urge I hadn’t felt in a very long time.
All thoughts of Shepherd’s pie went out the window as I turned to Zathrian with a cheeky smile on my face. He knew exactly what I was thinking just from the expression plastered across my face.
“N-no. No.” He shook his head, taking a step back from me. “Absolutely not.”
“Please dance with me?” I pushed out my bottom lip, attempting to tug him into the crowd. “C’mon, please. You know you want to,” I teased, gently coaxing him to join me.
Zathrian rolled his eyes. “Fine. Fine!” He caved in and followed me.
Around and around and around we danced with his people.
Giggling and cheering for the entirety of the dance, even when the song came to an end, I stumbled into him happily.
Zathrian pulled me into his embrace with his arms wrapped tightly around my lower back.
His forehead pressed against mine, Zathrian dipped his head down and planted a sweet kiss against my lips.
His people cheered louder, excited for the future of the Realm, and their High Lord. His head was still dipped down against mine.
“There’s no need to hide,” he reassured me, “these are your people, too. This is your home.”
This is my home, I thought to myself.
I lifted my head to see the genuine happiness in his people. It was in their smiles, in their faces, in their eyes. I smiled, the smell of Shepherd’s pie filling my nose once again.
Playfully, my eyes met Zathrian’s. “You smell that?” I asked.
“Smell what?” He played dumb, even tilting his head for dramatic effect. I knew he could smell it because I smelled it, too. The stand had to be somewhere nearby.
I gently hit his chest with my knuckles.
“Oww!” he whined, even though we both knew that I didn’t hit him hard enough for it to hurt.
“You know what.” I pouted.
He looked at me.
I rolled my eyes. “The Shepherd’s pie!”
“Oh. That. Yes, I do smell that,” he chuckled.
I shook my head, dragging him toward the smell, determined to satisfy my craving.