Page 52 of Dark Princess Ascending

Family.

It was strange to even think in those terms. For the longest time, the only ones she'd considered family were her mother and her best friend, Hildegard. Now that things were getting serious between her and Rob, his sister and her mate would become her family as well.

In a way, they already had, but she'd kept an emotional barrier between herself and Negal that would have to come down at some point.

As Rob's steps began to falter, guilt washed over her. She'd been so caught up in her own thoughts that she'd forgotten he was still human and couldn't keep up with her immortal stamina.

Worry niggled at her that he would need another induction because he wasn't showing signs of transition, and even though they still might start manifesting later today or tomorrow, she was already thinking of who should be his next inducer.

She might ask Dagor.

As a full-blooded god, his venom was potent, and he was more approachable than Aru or Toven. Negal would no doubt say yes to her request out of sheer guilt, but she didn't want him to be Rob's inducer. It might be petty of her, and if he were the best option out there or the only one, she would swallow her pride and ask him, but as long as there were other alternatives that were just as good or better, she didn't have to.

"Let's take a break," Gertrude suggested, squeezing Rob's hand. "We should get something to eat. Have you seen what the Odus have prepared? There are like twenty different dishes for every taste and preference possible."

"I could use a rest," Rob admitted.

He let her lead him off the dance floor, practically collapsing into one of the chairs arranged around the tables near the buffet. "But I'm not really hungry."

"You should eat something." She frowned at the sheen of sweat on his forehead. "I'll fix you a plate."

"Okay." He reached for the pitcher of water onthe table with a slightly trembling hand. "Can you bring me some water?"

She frowned at the odd request. "There's water right here," she pointed to the pitcher in his hand. "But I can get you something stronger if you'd like."

"No, water's fine." He poured himself a glass, some of it sloshing over the side.

Could it be that he was starting to transition?

She pressed her palm to his forehead. "You don't have a fever, but the rest of your symptoms might indicate the start of your transition."

Rob crossed his fingers. "I hope so. I definitely feel off, and it's not just from the dancing, so you might be right."

"Maybe we should get you to the clinic?—"

"Not yet. Even if you are right and I'm transitioning, there's plenty of time." He smiled. "Go get something to eat. I'm not about to faint or anything."

She wasn't entirely convinced of that, but the buffet line was close enough that she could keep an eye on him. "Promise you'll tell me if you start feeling worse?"

"Promise." He lifted his water glass in a mock toast. "I'll just sit here and take it easy."

As Gertrude joined the buffet line, she glanced back at Rob every few seconds, and each time, he waved and smiled, so the urgency started to wane. Not every Dormant lost consciousness, and those who didn't also didn't require much care. PerhapsRob was one of the lucky ones who would transition easily.

When it was finally her turn, she loaded two plates with an assortment of dishes, making sure to include things she knew Rob liked. When she turned back toward their table, though, Rob wasn't in his chair.

Her eyes scanned the crowd, thinking he might have gotten up to speak with someone. Then she spotted him—sprawled on the grass beside his abandoned chair, unnoticed by the celebrating guests around him.

The plates clattered onto the table as she rushed to his side. His chest rose and fell steadily, but when she tried to wake him, he didn't respond. He was unconscious, and his skin felt hot to the touch.

Without hesitation, she gathered him into her arms and started toward the clinic, but then Bowen rushed to her.

"Let me," he said, already reaching for Rob.

She wanted to refuse—her immortal strength more than adequate to carry Rob—but there were other considerations, with Rob's pride being one of them.

He wouldn't like his transition story to start with his mate carrying him to the clinic.

His mate.