Page 70 of Shadow's Raven
Her palms slapped the top of her thighs. “But this isn’t about me. It’s about you and Raven. I’m thinking your mate has had so much thrown at her, she needs to feel like she has some control over her life. She wants the choice. Give her a reason to choose you.”
“I’m trying. She’s only been here for barely two days.”
“True, but sometimes when you know someone is the one, it happens fast. Look at Lyric and Draven.”
“I try not to,” I grumbled. “They’re sickeningly happy.”
Kree smiled. “They are, aren’t they?”
“Unfortunately,” I responded sarcastically.
“What will Raven do after her lifeforce is fully replenished?” Kree changed the subject.
“What do you mean?”
“Cas, she has the heart of a warrior. How long do you think she’ll sit around this castle before she decides it’s time to deal with Sersha? A female like that will never leave it up to her father to face those who wronged her.”
It was true. Raven had already insisted she would be the one to handle it.
“We haven’t discussed it, but I’ll make it a point to bring it up. She can’t simply walk into Ansley Keep and take the Queen’s head.”
A twinkle sparked in Kree’s eye. “Oh, I think maybe she could.”
One corner of my mouth lifted. “You may be right. I better go check to see what sort of damage she’s done outside.”
I rose and crossed to the exit of the infirmary.
“Cas?”
I looked over my shoulder.
“You should be completely honest with her.”
“I am honest with her. She can hear a lie, anyway.”
“That’s not what I mean. She only hears the lie if you say the words. Sometimes what goes unsaid can be just as painful.”
“I’m not following.”
“You need to tell her that you and I are nothing more than friends, that we have never been more than friends, despite the confusion you were having last year. I think she was upset because I touched you. I’ll be more careful in the future.”
My gaze fell to the floor. Kree and I hadn’t spoken about that night. We’d both avoided it completely. I’d confessed to having feelings for her and she let me down in her gentle way.
It had hurt like a son of a bitch, but it hadn’t wrecked me. I’d questioned many a time since then if what I’d felt was simply comfort from a pure soul who had shown me nothing but kindness.
“I think clearing the air with her will help tremendously,” she added.
“I’ll take it under advisement,” I replied. “I’ll see you later.”
I didn’t hear what she said in reply, hastening my steps to get outside where I’d hoped the air was more breathable.
‡ ‡ ‡
My journey was a short one. Once I’d passed beyond the outer wall of the fortress all I had to do was follow my instincts.
The bond was solid enough it allowed me to feel Raven’s location. I should have found it worrisome since the thought of a soulbond filled me with panic.
I’d lost my mother because of one, just as Draven had lost his mother when his father was murdered. That my death could ever drag my mate into the grave with me was more than I could stomach at the moment.