Not Real?
Chapter Thirty-Three
KYROS
Imake it down three corridors before stopping.
The estate is quiet around me, most of the pod out celebrating the restoration of the Great Current. Laughter drifts through the water from distant chambers, accompanied by the occasional burst of excited chirps.
I brace a hand against the wall.
Blood drifts from my back, the healer’s salve already beginning to wear thin, but I barely notice. Sadie is the only thing on my mind.
But our mating isn’t real.
It’s real enough to me.
I push away from the wall and continue toward the council chamber, my mind racing. Everybody says markings settle a male, but I feel nothing but restlessness. It’s because I’ve left Sadie behind. Alone in my cove.
My tail lashes as I glance over my shoulder. The urge to turn around is embarrassingly powerful, but I resist the urge.
Meet with the council.
Stop by the healers.
Then I can return to Sadie.
I’m a fidgeting mess by the time I reach the council chambers. Mavek is standing outside, his orange tail drifting behind him. He takes one look at me and groans.
I look down at myself, confused. “What?”
“Go back.” His tail flicks sharply. “Freshly mated pairs don’t separate.”
I force myself to shrug. “Our mating isn’t real.”
“You shoved your marking fluid inside her.” Mavek raises a brow. “You publicly claimed her in front of Tideborn and Coveborn.”
I remain silent.
Mavek continues. “You threatened war over her.”
My markings flicker, and Mavek’s expression softens.
“You’re taking her home tomorrow?”
I swallow, then nod. “Yes.”
It’s what she wants.
I jerk my chin toward the council chamber. “Are Daros and Seraya inside?”
Mavek looks me up and down, his gaze lingering on the few scales I picked off while Sadie was descending into the trench. The skin beneath is raw, a clear sign that they weren’t ready to be removed.
I shift, putting my tail behind me.
Mavek shakes his head, then disappears into the council chamber. I look over my shoulder, toward the direction of Sadie, before following him inside.
My markings flicker the entire way.