Page 152 of A Taste of Bliss

“It’s beautiful,” he says, looking back at the fountain. “I’ve been here before, with my family, years ago. This was my favorite spot.”

“I can see why,” I respond. I’ve found my favorite spot. Next to him, even if we’re not touching. I want to tell him this, but I don’t know how.

“Bliss, we should probably talk.” He shifts his body so he’s fully facing me.

“Yes, I’ve been wanting to talk. I need to explain…” I trail off as he hangs his head. If my happiness about finding my mate is the sun shining and birds singing, then he is moonlight in the rain.

“Pisces?”

“I’m not sure what it’s like for Born fae when they find their bondmate. Evan’s been trying to keep his distance from your sister, so it’s not completely without self-control, but he thinks of her all the time, almost constantly. He feels the love that he could so easily pick up if he wanted.”

I nod. I feel that love now. It’s inside me, a living, breathing thing.

“But for Made fae, it’s not like that. I look at you and I just see another fae. Just one with a rune in her eye. There’s no big feeling the way you feel it. I’m not overcome with lust, or desire, or want. Or need.” He locks eyes with me, and his are dull, disappointed. “I was hoping to feel that with you. I was. But there’s nothing there. I’m sorry. I don’t want to hurt you, so I’m just going to say it. I don’t want to be with you.”

His words feel like an anvil coming down on my soul.

I can’t breathe.

He reaches out, tucking a lock of hair behind my ear, sliding his fingers down it, letting it fall to my chest where he’s just ripped out my heart.

Pisces hangs his head, leaving me standing there at the top of the fountain, halved in two. I watch my other half walk away without looking back.