Page 50 of Earth-Bound

“I beg your pardon? I did not hear what you said.”

“I was asking if you were ok. You went pale and vacant.”

“I was…”

“Yeah?”

“Searching for my mate.”

“And?”

“And he is near.”

They all looked out across the fields and waited. I knew Joe always came to the house to tend the plants inside. Today would be no different. I hoped with all my soul that today would be no different.

“Hey, there he is,” said Dee suddenly.

“Where?” asked Dum, elbowing her out of the way.

Arram stepped between them and pointed out across the green slopes and I saw a small figure making its way towards us. Reaching down into the earth again, I sought out those footsteps and found they belonged to Joe. His tread was steady, as always, and soothing upon the earth, but it was wary, too. Slightly slower than usual.

I came back to myself and looked at my companions. “You won’t say anything about him being my mate, will you?”

They looked offended that I’d asked. Arram was the one who answered, though.

“No, Terrund, we shall not say anything to reveal to your mate that you are fated to be together. That is a deeply personal thing and each of us is entitled to reveal it in our own way.”

They seemed to be talking mostly to the dragons. I just hoped that the dragons would listen to them.

Joe walked right up to the house and raised a hand when he saw me. He didn’t smile, but at least he had acknowledged me.

“Morning,” he said.

“Good morning. How did you sleep?”

“Alright thanks.”

I studied him, sure he was lying. He was slightly paler than usual and he had dark circles under his eyes. He didn’t look exhausted, though, just a little run down.

Behind me, Dimpy moved into the kitchen and called down to the basement. “Anthony? Can Joe come into the house?”

Matty shouted back, “Yes, he can, that’s fine.”

Dum gave an indignant, “Hey! Why canhecome in and we can’t?”

Matty ignored him and Joe gave a slightly strained smile as he stepped over the threshold. I wanted more than anything to follow him inside. I wanted to trail around after him, soaking up his presence like a plant opening for the sun to shine upon it. The way he slipped inside without touching anyone, though, that kept me on the doorstep. I didn’t have the courage to go after him.

When Joe disappeared into the kitchen, Arram looked down at me, frown lines creasing their smooth face.

“Are you not going with your mate?”

“No. I don’t think he wants me there.”

“Are you sure? Because it is my understanding that mates always delight in each other’s presence. Unless you are uncertain that they are your mate?”

I thought of the way Joe stood, of the way his hands touched the delicate buds of plants and stroked over the vixen’s old ears, of the stark beauty of his face and the way my body thrummed at his presence, of the overwhelming pleasure he brought me when he touched me…

I cleared my throat, embarrassed. “He’s definitely my mate.”

---