Page 77 of Exquisite Monster

Didn’t I know it? We would have shattered them long ago if we could.I know.

Then they looked at me, and a chill swept over my skin.If there is something thatcannotchange, the question we must answer is what can?

I stayed and looked out at the water for a long time.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

________

KATALENA

Endre and I walked every part of the island. He led me through the patches of dense forest, complete with hidden, sun-soaked clearings I knew we would return to. He showed me the rocks along the north side of the island, where he first learned to fly.

“Did you fall?”

My mate laughed, free and easy. He looked lighter here. Easier. Like the Endre he was before all the cares and responsibilities fell onto his shoulders. “I fell more than I should have. It was honestly like a baby bird jumping from the nest.”

“It sounds adorable.” We continued walking on the sand, and I asked the question. “Are you bothered?”

“By what?”

“That I can no longer bear children.” They knew I couldn’t, but I hadn’t asked how they felt about it. No part of me regretted my decision. Children weren’t something I wanted, especially in a world like this one. We could change things, but it wouldn’t change my mind.

“No,” Endre said. “Not at all. None of us have ever desired offspring. Especially since the Elders were pushing it so strongly.”

A small starburst of relief popped in my chest. He felt it and tugged me to him, dancing us on the sand the way we had that night in Doro Eche. “You, my love, are more than enough for me.”

I lifted my chin, and he followed my lead, leaning down to kiss me. The wind lifted my hair and tangled it around us. The sun now sank toward the horizon, and I felt the tugging of my other mates in my chest, wondering where we were.

We’d circled most of the island, and I’d seen almost everything. Except for one very particular stretch of beach he claimed they were going to show me together.

“I suppose I should share you,” he murmured.

“Maybe.” But I was smiling. “Does this mean you’ll show me that beach?”

“Yes, it does.”

Sand shifted between my toes as we left the shore, and the soft grass of the island swept it away. It was so beautiful here, and so green. Before I met them, I hadn’t seen the kind of greenery that existed on this side of Evrítha since I was a child. When you were so used to something, you forgot the opposite could exist.

I tripped over the edge of the pants I wore. They were far too long, and I hadn’t thought I’d be wandering for hours when I putthem on. Endre stopped my fall. “Gleym only gave me the one set of clothes. I’ll need to wash them so I’m not tripping.”

“Or we can find you more clothes.” He sighed and pulled me closer so we could walk with his arm around my waist. “If we were in Skalisméra, I’m sure Ellemar would help.”

I didn’t want to think about the outside world just yet. Not even dragons like Ellemar. Erryn was right. We needed to have a discussion. But I wasn’t ready yet. I wanted more than one day before the four of us were forced to hold up the weight of the world once more.

Sirrus met us at the entrance to the tower, gripping the top of the door frame and leaning into it. The position showed off every inch of skin he revealed by not wearing a shirt, including the shift in color, the blues fading beneath his trousers. “Where have you been all day?”

“Giving in to my emotions. Then Endre showed me around the island.”

I approached him once Endre released me, and Sirrus grabbed my hips, turning me and pressing me gently into the doorframe. “I felt it.”

Just the mention of it all had it threatening to come back up. So I said nothing and stared straight through his chest.

“I may not know what you said.” He placed his palm gently over my heart. “But I felt all of it. And Iwantto feel it. I want to help you hold it and heal from it.” Then, softer. “Mates were not created to hide from each other, Princess.”

“You’re going to make me cry again,” I mumbled.

“We can’t have that.” Zovai’s voice rang loud in the room. “Or we could, but I’d prefer it if you were crying with pleasure.”