“Your mates find you when the time is right. You may have met him before, but you weren’t ready to meet him yet, so the mark didn’t appear. Your mother was friends with two of your fathers for many years before the mark appeared.”
Stunned, she stopped walking. “She was?”
“Yes, they were childhood friends. Lance and George were both children of the guards. When your grandparents were ruling, your mother would play with their guards' children often. They all knew each other long before the mark appeared in their twenties.”
She processed this information. She could possibly know her last mate and wouldn’t even have realized it. More eager than ever for the party, she guided Orion back to the entryway as people started to arrive.
“Where is Finn?” he asked.
Not wanting to answer, Freya darted her eyes and ignored the question.
“That didn’t work when you were ten and it doesn’t work now,” he chided. “Where is Finn?”
“Probably deciding what he wants to do,” she said quietly.
“What do you mean what he wants to do?” Orion asked suspiciously.
“I told him he could leave since he’s so unhappy with the mating.”
Orion stopped moving and jerked Freya to face him. “You told him what?!”
“We are doomed either way. If he doesn’t join, Rulissa will end us, and the curse will never break. If he wants to go, he can.”
Orion shook his head and gritted his teeth. “I can’t believe you told him to break the bond. Do you have any idea the heartbreak a frollick goes through when they lose a mate? You may lose your mind!”
“There have only been a few instances of it happening. I wouldn’t be totally alone. I’d still have Henry, Jacob, and maybe this new one.”
People began to sweep in the castle, chattering loudly as they took in the lights and decorations. Freya moved to greet them, knowing her duty was more important than arguing with Orion.
“We’ll discuss this later,” he hissed.
She turned back to glance at him and said, “There’s nothing to discuss.”
She moved near the doorway and began greeting each guest. Many had spilled in before she got there, so she needed to mingle later to meet them all. Her heart beat rapidly as she realized she might find the last of her frollick tonight. Henry and Jacob came down the stairs and joined her.
“You look magnificent,” Henry said huskily.
Jacob nodded in agreement, lust visible in his gaze.
She blushed and waved them away. “Stop it,” she said with a giggle. “Let’s go speak with some of our people.”
Henry stopped and stared at her. “Our people?”
She gulped as it occurred to her what she’d said. But then a calmness washed over her, and she nodded. “Yes, our people. You will rule with me one day as my frollick. You might as well begin to think of them as your people too.”
Henry grinned and Jacob looked a little nauseous. She laughed and hooked her arms through each of theirs. “Let’s go.”
They made their way around each room, stopping to speak to everyone they came in contact with. Freya never felt the pull and was beginning to get discouraged. The performers put on a glorious show with water magic creating all sorts of cool situations and scenarios before them. The show was lighthearted and silly, just what she needed after everything that had happened in the past month or so.
“I’m going to go get a drink,” she told her men.
“I’ll go!” Jacob said, jumping forward in anticipation.
“No, no, I want to get away from everyone for a few. I’ll be right back,” she told him with a smile.
She stepped away and glided through the crowd to the kitchen. Once she was there, she made her way across the room to the fridge and pulled out a soda. She gulped it down, fighting back a belch when she felt it. The overwhelming urge to turn and run toward whoever walked in the room was consuming her. She turned slowly, laying her gaze upon the most beautiful fae she’d ever seen. His crystal blue eyes caught her gaze and she gasped. His dark hair curled upon his head and his jawline was sharp enough to cut glass. He was tall and lanky, his shirt much too large on his frame. He stared at her like she was the world and she stared right back in amazement.
“You,” he finally said, his voice washing over her body and giving her goosebumps.
“Me,” she said lamely.
“What is this feeling?” he asked, his hand over his heart. “I feel….”
“I know,” she interrupted. “You are the missing frollick member.”
He gasped. “Your mate?”
She nodded slowly, unsure of how he was going to respond. She took one step toward him and sat the drink on the counter. “My mate. My fourth mate.”
He moved toward her and stopped a few feet away. “How do you know?”
“I felt this, though not as strongly, with two of my other mates.”
“I feel like it’s taking me over,” he said, running his hand through his dark curls.
“We have to touch to finalize the mate mark,” she said, stepping forward once more.
They were inches apart now, breath hot on each other’s faces. He couldn’t keep his eyes off of her full lips and she was enchanted by his eyes. He held his hand out and studied her. “I’m ready.”
She lifted her hand and placed it in his. Heat spread throughout their veins and caught them both in a stronghold. They couldn’t move as the feelings washed over them in waves. Flashes of memories passed between them and both of them gasped as they realized they’d been together in a past life. The mark scorched along their chests and marked them both with a single drop to indicate water.
“We were…” he started.
“Past mates, too,” she finished.
“This is unheard of!” he yelped. “What does this mean?”
She shook her head. “I don’t know but it must be why this time feels differently. I feel so drawn to you.”
“And I you,” he admitted. “I can’t stop thinking about kissing you.”
“Then you probably should,” she whispered.
He gripped her face in his hand and roughly brushed his thumb over her lips. She moaned when he touched her, loud enough for only him to hear. They fell into the kiss like they were meeting each other again but also for the first time. His lips descended on hers and the swarm of butterflies overtook over her belly. The heat returned and they both kissed each other eagerly. His lips moved upon hers, taking the bottom between his teeth and pulling. She gasped and dug her hands into his hair as she kissed him with the lust of many lives. They weren’t only past mates, but mates from long before. They had found each other once again after many lifetimes together.
Once they broke apart, he leaned his forehead into hers and sighed. “This is something else entirely.”
“I must find Orion. He’ll know. But we are meant for one another.” She realized she didn’t even know his name and laughed loudly. “Who are you, by the way?”
“I’m Matthew.” He smiled at her and her belly squeezed. He was truly the most magnificent fae she’d ever seen. She wondered if it was because of the connection they held from lives before.
She took his hand in hers, reveling in the way it felt so right, and pulled him after her. “Let’s find Orion.”
She searched each room until she found him, pulling him away from the crowd with urgency. Henry and Jacob had noticed her with Matthew and followed quickly along to find out what was happening.
Freya explained what was going on, how they felt, and how the memories had passed between them. Orion gasped and held his hand over his mouth as he glanced between the two of them.
“How have you never met before? You are True Mates. True Mates don’t matter when you find each other, you will know.”
Matthew cleared his throat. “I’ve lived in the human realm for many years. I recently returned when my family requested it. They are hopeful the curse will break and want me home because of i
t.”
“Why did you live there?” Freya asked. She couldn’t wrap her head around why anyone would want to live where they couldn’t openly use their magic.
“The cold...it caused me to be depressed. It got to be too much, and I had to get away for a while. I tried going to the other courts, but they didn’t feel right. I was always drawn back to Winter. Eventually, I grew tired of moving around and settled in a warm place in the human realm called Florida.”
“Fate brought you back,” Orion said. “Fate brought you to this party to find your True Mate.”
He grinned as he realized he’d found the other half of his soul. “Can you explain what all being True Mates means?” he asked Orion.
“It means you’ve been together for many lifetimes. Each time one ends, you find your way back to each other. The memories were of the lives before when you loved each other. True Mates always find one another, whether it be when they’re young or old. True Mates are unlike regular mates. They feel an instant connect, the lives of the years before solidifying a bond unequivocal to any other bond out there. They can finish each other’s thoughts, they know what the other wants before they ask, and they understand each other on a deeper level. The True Mate bond is a gift.”
Freya stared at Matthew and knew deep in her soul what Orion said was right. This connection was different than the one with Henry and Jacob.
Someone cleared their throat from behind them and they all turned, stunned to find Finn standing at the entryway.
“I wanted to tell you I made my decision.” He sat his bag down at his feet and clasped his hands in front of him. “I do apologize but I can’t do this. I can’t force myself into something I don’t believe in. I am leaving.”
Gasps rang out around the room and Freya teared up. She knew from the get-go he would leave, but hearing it only made it real. She simply nodded and turned her back on him. He didn’t deserve her tears and she damned well wasn’t going to let him see them.
He took his bag and walked out without another word.
21
Freya and her men sat in her room after the party after each of them changed into more comfortable clothing. The fireplace roared with life and heated the room. Freya was fine without it, because being a water fae meant she felt a connection with the ice, and it didn’t make her feel cold. Henry, Jacob, and Matthew all crowded around it to try and warm up.
None of them had really spoken since Finn left. Each of them lost in their own thoughts, they didn’t realize Freya was crying into her pillow. She was devastated her people would be cursed forever. Stricken with the thoughts it was somehow her fault. But she hadn’t done anything to Finn, had she? She’d been nice, welcoming. She couldn’t help the mate mark any more than he could.
Henry and Jacob stood, coming to her side and placing their arms around her. “Freya, we’re going to leave you alone with Matthew tonight. The True Mate thing seems pretty intense, and we want you to feel comfortable exploring it without us around for the first time,” Henry said.
Jacob agreed, placing a kiss on her forehead. “Please send for us if you need anything.”
She nodded, wiping her tears from her face and placing a small kiss on each of their mouths. “Thank you,” she whispered so only they could hear. “It means a lot. I don’t want you to think I feel differently about either of you. I still care for you and feel you are both a part of my soul.”
Jacob grinned widely and hopped from the bed. He patted Matthew on the shoulder on his way out the door. Henry left soon after and alone, the two of them stared into the fire.
“I feel like I know everything about you and yet, nothing,” Matthew admitted. He turned from the fireplace and ran his hand across the back of his neck. “I want to know everything.”
She patted the spot beside her and opened up the covers. “Come sit.”
He climbed in beside her, his body heat setting her on fire. She felt the urge to climb on top of him and take what she felt was hers, but knew it was the bond and lust taking control. She fought against it, determined to get to know this beautiful fae before her. “Tell me about you. I’m interested in your human realm experience.”
“Have you ever been?” he asked. He grinned and two dimples showed up in his cheeks, making her heart beat faster.
“Once. When we found Jacob. We didn’t stay long.”
“Jacob comes from the human realm?”
She nodded. “He is part fae. He had no idea until we showed up at his job.”
“Imagine not knowing,” he pondered. “It must have been difficult for him.”
“He didn’t want to believe us,” she laughed. “But Rulissa sent some of her fae after us and he believed us then.”
“She’s always been a problem, huh?” he asked quietly.
“She killed my parents. She is my sisters and mine’s biggest problem. We will defeat her someday. It’s killing me Finn walked away and she will win by having us cursed forever.”
He took her hand in his, sparks of electricity zooming through her body. “I am so sorry. I don’t know how he did it. I couldn’t imagine walking away from you.”
“He didn’t want the mark in the first place. He’s been angry about it since it happened. We were in Summer Court to visit my sister and he was one of the knights. When I touched him, and his mark appeared…I could feel the hatred coming from his body. He was so angry. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
Matthew shook his head. “I’ll make sure you don’t lose your mind over this. We may not be able to break the curse, but maybe if we rid the world of Rulissa, it will break?”
“I doubt it,” she said sadly. “Rulissa has contingencies for everything. She would make it so her death didn’t break it. She’s out to destroy us.”
They sat in silence for a few more minutes and then he started speaking. As he talked, his fingers drew shapes in her palm, sending goosebumps all up and down her arms. “My family is close. You’ll love them. They were upset when I decided to leave Winter, but they were understanding. My ma is the most beautiful fae I’ve ever seen, well until you that is, and she has my da wrapped around her. He does anything she wants. She only has one mate, but they are both marked, so they’re destined mates. I have two siblings who are both Air elements. We all go into a bit of trouble growing up because we’d cause storms and tornadoes in our rooms without meaning to. Ma would get so angry,” he laughed. “She has this vein on her forehead that pops out when she gets mad. It was prevalent when I was younger.”
Freya laughed with him and gazed at him. “You sound like you had a great childhood.”
“It was great,” he agreed. “And leaving was hard, but the depression...I don’t know if you know much about fae depression, but it was horrifying. I was incapacitated most days. I couldn’t connect with my magic and didn’t want to talk to anyone.”
She stopped his movements and held his hand in hers. “I’m so sorry. I don’t know much about it, but I have recently put initiatives into place to help fae with mental illnesses. I didn’t realize it was a problem until it was brought to my attention a few months ago.”
“Thank you,” he said earnestly. “It means a lot. I hope fae can get the help they need.” He grew lost in his thoughts, then he said, “Tell me about your childhood.”
Her face scrunched in despair and she peered down at her lap. “Well, you probably know my parents died when I was four. After they were gone, Orion was my guardian. I have been tasked with princess duties since my fifth birthday. All I ever wanted was to be with my sisters, but it was never possible. I have this profound sense of duty weighing on my shoulders. That’s why I didn’t let the Court change their wardrobes like the mortal realm for so long. I felt like I was betraying my mother and fathers if I changed anything.” She fought back tears as she spoke. “But I’m realizing this Court is mine to make and progress. I can make changes and not betray them. They’d want me to find my own way. So, that’s what I’m going to be doing from now on. I w
ant Winter Court to feel happy and modernized and all of the things it should feel. I want to make my mark.”
He grinned at her. “You will. I know you will. You have already started to.”
“While I’ve been princess the whole time, I wasn’t actually in charge of anything until my 21st birthday. It’s been a learning experience. I knew what I needed to know from years of education and sitting in on meetings, but experiencing it is a different thing all together. I hope I make my parents proud.”
“You will.”
“But I won’t break the curse,” she sighed. She was defeated and sad since Finn left. She knew he wanted to go, but the hollow feeling she had in her chest was unexpected. She didn’t realize the connection they’d had from the mark before now.
“He might change his mind,” Matthew said gently. “You never know what could happen. Your birthday is still a few weeks out, isn’t it?”
She nodded. “February twenty-fifth.”
“So, there is time! Have some faith, Little Princess.”
She snorted. “Little Princess?”
“Yeah,” he grinned. “You’re kinda short.”
She swatted at him. “I am not! You’re really tall.”
“I’m only six foot five.”
“Only.” She giggled.
He smirked at her response and pulled her hand into his lap, tugging her whole body closer. “I like feeling you near me.”
“It feels familiar, right?” She leaned her head on his shoulder and a calmness washed over her.
“So, familiar. So, right.”
They sat for what felt like hours and watched the fire. They were both lost in their own thoughts, battling their internal demons while enjoying the physical company of each other. After a while, Freya yawned.
“You should sleep,” Matthew said with a smile. “I’ll go.”
“No,” she said quickly. “I want you to stay.”
“You do?”
She nodded. “Please, hold me.”
He wrapped his arms around her body and lay down, pulling her along with him. She rested her head on his chest, feeling the distinct thump of his heartbeat against her ear. She felt safe in his arms. She felt at home in his arms. She finally drifted off to sleep while he fought to stay asleep all night. His mind liked to play tricks on him, and the negative thoughts crept in each time he relaxed. Matthew spent most of the night staring at Freya, memorizing every detail of her delicate face.
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