Page 14 of Shattered Stars

“We’d never met before,” I insist.

“Not in this lifetime,” she counters, “but maybe in another.”

I scoff, shaking my head and directing my next words towards Rhianna. “My sister believes in all sorts of woo woo shit.”

“You don’t think fated mates is some serious woo woo shit?” Ellie says.

I open my mouth like I did before but I don’t have any argument for that.

“What do you mean ‘in a previous life’?” Rhi asks.

“It’s what some people believe–”

“Hippies and–”

“Plenty of scholars,” Ellie insists. “They believe that fated mates are destined for one another over and over again, through many lifetimes, in many different times and places. You are fated mates. Perhaps you have always been.”

Rhi stares at her, the cogs clearly moving in her mind. “You don’t believe in that?” she asks me.

“I don’t know,” I say simply.

“What did you feel when you first saw me?”

I close my eyes, remembering that moment out there in the dark clearing, the air alive with fragrance, the sky full with starlight. “I thought you were the most beautiful creature I’d ever seen.”

This time she scoffs but I also feel that pleasure again through the bond and I hope she feels my honesty and emotion in return. I hope she knows just how much I mean it.

Eleanor’s eyes flick from my face to Rhianna’s.

“Tell me more about yourself, Rhianna,” she says. “I want to know everything.”

Rhi laughs. “There isn’t much to know. I’m studying at Arrow Hart.” She shrugs.

“She has a pet pig,” I tell Ellie.

Ellie gapes at Rhi like she can’t decide if I’m teasing her or not. “A pig?”

“Yes, Pip. He’s my baby and my oldest friend.” Rhi laughs again. “Now I probably have you worrying that your brother is bonded to a mad woman.” Ellie shakes her head emphatically. “Oh but your brother thinks I’m crazy for owning a pig. He hates Pip.”

“I don’t hate him,” I mutter.

“We had a pet rabbit when we were kids. It was meant to be the family’s. But really it belonged to Az. They were inseparable. He used to take that creature to bed with him. The only time I’ve ever seen him cry was the day Bibkins died. Then and …” She peers down at her hands and I swallow.

This time it’s Rhi’s turn to flick her gaze across our faces, but she doesn’t push Ellie to continue. Maybe she senses how painful that topic is. For my sister and for me.

Ellie takes a sip of her tea and manages another smile, finding her composure again.

“I like your necklace,” she says, pointing to a locket resting against Rhi’s clavicle. One I’ve not seen before. “Was it a gift from Az?”

“Errr … no.” Rhi fiddles with the silver charm.

Ellie narrows her eyes. “Has my brother given you any presents, gifts? Flowers, perfume, chocolates?”

“Erm, no,” Rhi repeats, twisting the chain around her fingers and refusing to look at me.

A wave of guilt crashes through my body followed by a violent smack on my arm.

“Azlan Kennedy!” Ellie says in outrage. “Rhianna’s your fated mate and you’ve never bought her a gift?”