Page 15 of Wonder (Wonderfall #3)

SIMON

I was not prepared to have this conversation, especially not in public. But if Esperanza could see how strong the connection between me and Reno had grown, he was sure to notice it sooner rather than later.

Bracing myself, I pointed at the thick, glowing mate connection and traced it with my finger. I felt Reno’s denial before he said anything.

His mouth dropped open. “It... it wasn’t so strong earlier!”

I tried to keep my voice even. “No, but our spending time together today, especially when we were taking care of Nicky, fortified it.” I clenched my hands together in my lap. “I’m pretty sure it’s permanent now.”

He pushed his chair back from the table.

“Connections don’t grow that fast. I didn’t agree to this.

I’m not in the market for a mate.” He made a jerky cutting gesture and stood up.

“I need some air.” He strode to the back door and went outside.

The porch light was on, and I saw him walk to the far end of the yard.

It was irrational for me to feel hurt by his reaction.

He was tired and mentally drained like I was, and he’d had the news of our mating dumped on him without warning.

But I’d been anticipating this moment since I’d met that Seer in 1949.

I’d never even considered my mate wouldn’t be as happy to be with me as I was to be with him.

“Um, congratulations?” Shane gave me a wry smile. “He just needs some time. It’s been a hell of a day.”

Esperanza snorted. “He’s stubborn. You’ll have to fight to convince him. He’s been nesting for the past couple of months, but he refused to admit it.”

Jackson was frowning. “Why didn’t he know it was a mate connection when it was created? They appear completely different from the other kinds.”

Shane shook his head. “Only District Monitors can detect the different types of connections. Other magic carriers see all connections as kind of golden and sparkly, even their own. The strength and the romantic feelings are what tell them a particular connection is a mate connection.”

Jackson looked to me for confirmation, and I shrugged. “Vampires can see details about any connection, so I wouldn’t know.”

“Interesting. I knew magic carriers had limited abilities, but... hmmm.” They started eating again.

I peered out the back windows, but I couldn’t see Reno. I turned to Esperanza. “He doesn’t want to be bonded?”

She sighed. “His parents didn’t give him the best example of what a mated partnership could be like, and then as he got older he decided he wasn’t destined to have a mate anyway.

I think he told himself he didn’t want to be mated so it wouldn’t hurt as much.

” She gave me an encouraging smile. “Changing his mind will be a challenge, but he’s worth it. ”

“I have no doubt.” I looked out back again. No sense in avoiding it. “I’m going to talk to him.” I pushed back from the table. “Thank you for dinner. Um, I’m not sure how long this will take, but Nicky probably needs to eat again.”

Esperanza patted my hand. “We’ll take care of him.”

“Thanks.” I stood up and tugged at my shirt to straighten it. Taking a deep breath, I walked to the back door, slipping through before shutting it behind me.

“I’m over here.” His tone sounded resigned.

I’d never had a connection this strong before, but—even without the hours and hours of study I’d done in my youth—I instinctively knew how I could push a feeling of reassurance and affection through to Reno. If I thought he’d be receptive to it, of course. Unfortunately now was not the time.

I walked around a stand of shrubs to the right to find him sitting in an Adirondack chair in front of an empty fire pit. He waved at the chair next to him, so I went over and sat down.

He rubbed his chest where our connection emerged. “You’ve known all day, haven’t you?”

“Yes.” I looked up at the stars overhead.

The light pollution wasn’t so bad here, this close to the ocean.

“In 1949 I met a Seer. They told me my mate would be a magic carrier, and I’d complete my mission with him by my side.

When you came into the woods to help me, I knew.

” I hesitated. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, but it seemed like something better discussed after.

.. today.” I waved my hand in a vague gesture.

“I understand that part. I just....” He sat forward. “Wait a minute. The Seer had a vision in 1949 about now?”

I smiled. “She was one of the people who got their magic directly from the Elves. Their abilities were stronger than today’s magic carriers.”

“Huh.” He shivered, and it wasn’t due to the summer night air. “Look, I know you’ve been waiting all this time, but—”

I held up a hand. “But you’ve just found out. I completely understand. We can keep a little distance between us for a while. Will that work?”

“For now. But, Simon, to be completely transparent with you, I don’t want a mate.

” Even though Esperanza had warned me, the statement still sent a spear of pain through my heart.

It must’ve echoed through the bond, because he winced.

“I’m sorry. It’s got nothing to do with you.

I never felt like I was missing out on anything being single, and at my age. ...”

I was exhausted, and I didn’t have the mental fortitude to hear this right now. I stood up. “Thank you for telling me. I’m going to go inside.”

He didn’t say anything as I walked away.

In the living room, Nicky had another mug of soup, and Jackson sat next to him while the opening credits of an episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine played.

Shane was in the kitchen putting dishes in the dishwasher.

“Hey. Esperanza went home. She said to tell you if you need more room for your blood, there’s a second refrigerator in the garage.

She’ll be back in the morning to see if we need anything for Nicky.

” He glanced behind me at the closed back door. “How did it go with Reno?”

I made a face. “He doesn’t want a mate.”

Shane sucked in a breath. “Shit, man, that’s rough.”

“Yeah.” I ran my hand through my hair. I was so tired.

Before I forgot to do it, I went out to the minivan and emptied my little fridge.

I was down to two bags of blood, which would probably be gone in the next day or so, based on the amount of energy I’d be expending looking for Marcas and Roibeart.

I’d have to contact Levi, the dryad who for some reason had taken it upon himself to get involved in my well-being.

He’d organized blood donations everywhere I went, so I never had to mesmerize anyone anymore. I owed him a great deal.

I snorted to myself. What I really owed him was a phone call. He never let more than three days go by before he wanted an update on where I was and what I was doing.

Something to worry about tomorrow. I put the blood bags, along with the other snacks I’d had in the minivan, in the fridge in the garage, in case anyone would be grossed out by seeing the blood.

The fridge seemed brand new, and I remembered Esperanza mentioning Reno had been nesting.

Had he bought this for me? Maybe his magic knew we were mates, even if his brain wasn’t ready to accept it yet.

I wandered into the living room, and Nicky nudged Jackson. “Hey, can you pause the show, please?”

Obligingly they pointed the remote at the TV and the image on the screen froze.

I forced a smile. “How are you feeling?”

He smiled back. Maybe the dim lighting in the room was hiding how fake my expression was.

“Better, thanks. Um.” He looked down at his mug and ran a finger around the rim.

The marks from his restraints stood out starkly on his skin, even among the multitude of bite scars.

He glanced at the TV and back to me. “I don't really want to be all alone in that guest room after... everything.”

Shit, I should’ve thought of that. I nodded encouragingly. “Understandable. Would you feel better if Jackson stayed in there with you?” I didn’t think he’d want me for a roommate, considering I was a vampire.

He shook his head. “I asked Jackson if they’d mind sleeping out here with me, and they said they would.” He pointed at the TV. “I’m used to having that on all the time.”

“Ah. Got it. Whatever makes you comfortable, Nicky. But, if that’s the case, do you mind if I sleep in the guest room instead?”

“It’s all yours.” He gave me a little grin. “I won’t fight you for it like Greg and Marcia on The Brady Bunch.”

I chuckled. “Okay, thanks.” I left the room, my heart aching for Nicky, who’d had to grow up watching other people experience life on television. As soon as he was healthy, I would help him experience life for himself.

I fell asleep making a mental list of things he might like to do once he was well. It helped me avoid obsessing about Reno.

I woke up before dawn, so I got my yoga mat out of the minivan.

In the backyard I went through my usual sun salutation sequence then a short but much needed vinyasa flow.

When I was done, I could smell bacon and hear voices talking softly in the kitchen.

Reno and Tucker. My connection to Reno was still as solid as it had been last night, which was a relief.

I had to hope Shane was right, and all Reno needed was to get used to the idea of us being mates. Or even just having a mate.

For decades I’d been looking forward to meeting my future mate, but he’d only been what my imagination could create.

Now that I’d met Reno and knew he was a good man, caring and protective, not to mention sexy as fuck, I was all in.

Fully smitten. He might not be ready to be mated right now, but I’d had plenty of practice waiting to get what I wanted.

I’d stick close and treat him the way he deserved.

The magic pointed people in the direction of their mates, but it was up to us to fan the flames and create the romance.