Page 87 of Burdened Bonds

I frown. “What do you mean?”

She beckons me over and I slide under the covers, Winnie coming to curl up beside me. “About him being one of your fated mates,” she whispers.

I jolt and stare at her.

“Wh … I … how did you know?”

She taps the side of her head. “Not just a pretty face, you know.”

“Well, duh, I’ve been telling you that for months. But seriously, Winnie, is it that obvious?”

Winnie adjusts the pillow under her head. “I always suspected there’d be a fifth fated mate. Five all together.”

“Why?”

“Because of the fairy tale. The tale about Queen Æðelflæd.” I haven’t been able to stop thinking about that tale as well. It seems so relevant, like it must mean something. “Five seems to be the most powerful number of mates. I think you were destined for that number, Rhi.”

“That doesn’t mean Renzo is my mate, Winnie,” I point out, even though the sensation in my gut is undeniable.

“True.” Winnie hesitates, clearly debating whether to plow on. “Renzo Barone is a psychopath–” I go to argue, but she raises her hand to silence me. “I’m sorry, Rhi, but he is.” I shift on the bed. I was convinced he was too – utterly convinced. Now I wonder if he truly is. Or is that just wishful thinking on my part? “He doesn’t care aboutanyone but himself. But he seems to have formed an attachment to you. I mean, he’s sleeping outside your door.”

“Still doesn’t confirm anything, Winnie.”

“I also don’t think you’d let him tag along if he wasn’t a fated mate. He did try to kill you.” My best friend looks deep into my eyes. “So is he, Rhi?”

I flip onto my back and stare up at the canopy of the bed. Strange symbols have been carved into the wood and the drapes are embroidered with golden threads.

“Yes,” I say. “Yes, he is.” Winnie is quiet and her silence makes me anxious. I turn my head back towards her. “Winnie? This is fucked up. What am I going to do?”

“Have you, you know, sealed the bond yet?”

I shake my head, although I can’t help my cheeks heating – something my eagle-eyed friend spots. She prods my cheek. “Can I assume you’ve come close?”

“Not that close.” I cover my face with my hands. “Do you think I’m a deranged slut?”

Winnie giggles. “Not at all. He is kind of hot, in an unstable, totally insane kind of way.”

“I’m beginning to find the instability and insanity sort of endearing,” I confess.

“Hmmm,” Winnie says. “Maybe Stone is right. Maybe you did bang your head.”

“Winnie!” I cry. “Seriously, what am I going to do? Five mates? Most of whom hate each other. This is a disaster!”

Winnie shakes her head. “I don’t think so.” I give her a dubious look. “Okay, it isn’t …ideal. But if fate chose Renzo Barone for your mate, fate has a reason.”

“Maybe fate just has a thing for hot assholes,” I mutter.

“Lucky you have similar tastes, then.” I pinch her and she grabs my hand. “But, honestly, Rhi, I think he’s yourmate for a reason. I think they all are. I can’t tell you what that reason is. I think it’s something we have to figure out.”

“I’m going to have to tell them, aren’t I?”

“Uh huh, preferably before they kill each other,” she says, peering towards the door behind which we can hear a kerfuffle. “Besides, Stone and Azlan already know about Tristan and Spencer.”

“They do?” I say, my eyebrows leaping up my forehead. I swallow. “How did they take the news?”

Winnie shrugs and I groan.

“Okay,” I say, resolutely, “I’ll tell them. Only not tonight. Tonight, I need sleep.” I bunch the cover up around my body and fall promptly asleep before Winnie has even extinguished the lights.