Page 76 of The Reaping Rose

“It was… unexpected. She claimed to love Rior but told him that her love for him changed when the bond with his brother took root. She left Rior for Roane and returned to Zealeh with him, leaving Rior here. He didn’t take it well.”

“I’m guessing Rior hasn’t met his mate yet?”

Wilder shakes his head. “He still loves Celeste and refuses to accept that she’s bound to his brother. Though, he’ll never admit that out loud.”

Rior’s animosity makes more sense now. He’s wary of my relationship with Wilder because of his personal experience with the mating bond. He doesn’t trust it to be a deciding factor when all it’s done is break his heart.

“Could Rior reach out to his brother instead? Maybe if they talked instead of Celeste⁠—”

“Roane was lost to a mission at the start of the Realm War.” Wilder’s voice grows cold. “It’s just Celeste now.”

A knot thickens in my throat.

Rior lost his brother. Celeste lost her mate.

I can’t imagine.

“Losing Roane only made Rior and Celeste more distant.” Wilder shakes his head. “He’s here because he’s loyal but also because there’s no returning home for him. There was a time he thought Celeste was his. She isn’t. She made that clear, no matter how much he refuses to accept it.”

“I can’t imagine.” My eyes burn, and Wilder reaches for my hand. “I remember thinking Aurora was your mate before I knew that you were mine, and the thought of it—” I shake my head, my throat tightening. “It was nearly unbearable.”

Wilder’s eyes churn with the emotion swirling in them. “Watching you at Malachi’s side. Him putting his lips on you”—his grip on my hand tightens—“I understand why you felt that way.”

“I’m yours, Wilder. Only yours.”

“Same for you, Starfire. The fates really blessed me.” His smile is sad.

I lean in, water dripping off my body as I wrap my arms around his shoulders and pull him close. He seals my body to him, not caring that I’m soaking wet and messing up his clothes. He holds me tight, pressing our foreheads together.

“They blessed me too,” I say, pressing my palm over his racing heart. “The fates knew exactly what I needed when they gifted me you. You see me even when I can’t see myself. You found me in the darkness of the prison—of my soul. You saved me in every way.”

“I’ll always find you,” he promises.

“I know.”

Wilder’s eyes close. “I need to claim my crown. My discussion with Darvel simply reinforced it. The territories are restless. They need something to believe in, but…”

“You don’t think they should believe in you,” I guess.

“I already failed them once. Failed their queen. Failed my sister.”

“You were set against impossible odds. You were Cleaving. You shouldn’t have survived that battle. No Fae can.” My fingers trace a rune on his neck. “But you did. You’re here, and I know that when you’re ready to be there for them, you will be with every fleck of your being. It’s who you are.”

“A king?”

“A protector.” His eyes flash open, meeting mine. “A weapon for his realm. A shield for his people. Bearer of impossible weights. Surviving a century in that horrible prison for them. You will find your way. I believe in you.”

“My Starfire.” He sighs, cupping my cheeks. “I don’t deserve such unwavering faith.”

“You don’t see yourself like I do.”

“A failure?”

I shake my head. “You aren’t a failure. You lost a battle. There’s a difference. You fought for your people—sacrificed it all for them. They’re lucky to have you as a king.”

“Gods, you make me wish I could join you in the tub right now.” He groans against my mouth when I kiss him.

“Then do it.”