Page 103 of The Kingdom of Eternal Ice
I feel a bit flustered at his straightforward display of affection, but also happy. “Then, I will take you at your word.”
Caspian eventually hands the rein back to Endellion, and we lie next to each other for a while, just talking and enjoying each other’s presence, before we decide we need to get up for breakfast, and face Caelan and Flinn.
I wonder what they are going to say. Over the last couple of weeks, we have all developed a tight bond with each other. Caelan feels like a protector to me, while Flinn is like the little brother I never had. Granted, he is older than me, but he is mischievous and fun. I was never able to develop a bond with my siblings, aside from Kiyan, my older brother. With Flinn, I can be silly and stupid, and not care what anyone would think about me.
I hope they won’t hold it against me that I’m robbing Endellion of his mate, that I’m preventing him from finding this one special person.
But, I love him so much that I can’t help but be selfish.
I can feel my heartbeat picking up its pace when we walk downstairs to the dining room, where the innkeeper serves us breakfast. Endellion must have noticed it because he takes my hand and squeezes it. “Don’t worry,” he says gently, a smile curling his lips.
His smile is so beautiful. He is always so serious and zealous, but when he is with me, he shows me his gentle and sweet side.
Downstairs, Flinn and Caelan already await us. “Ende!” Flinn calls out, hurrying to us. He hugs Endellion first, before squeezing me and twirling me around in a silly manner. “I’m so happy for you.”
“I am too,” Caelan says, as usual, not wasting any words, but he looks sincere and happy. He gives Endellion a swift hug and pats my head in an awkwardly affectionate gesture.
“Finally,” Flinn grins. “I was wondering when he’d make a move on you, Aza. Or vice versa.”
Endellion pulls me back into his arms and raises his eyebrows at him. “So, you knew?”
“Yep, first day, and you were already smitten. Don’t deny it.”
“I won’t.” He kisses the top of my head.
“I had no idea, never been good at noticing other’s feelings,” Caelan admits. “But it makes sense now. And you are a perfect match. I’m sure if Ende had a mate, it would be you, Azadeh.”
For a moment, we are all silent. “Thank you,” Endellion says, and I can hear how touched he feels by his brother's kind words.
“Are you going to hold a marking ceremony?” Flinn wants to know.
“Of course,” Endellion says. “That is, if Azadeh agrees to let me mark her.”
As if I wouldn’t. Kilah has told me about these ceremonies, and while I’m not one to like being in the spotlight; to the wolves, it’s like a wedding. To know Endellion is so committed to me makes my heart flutter. “I’d be happy to carry your mark.”
“I don’t want to rush you, though.”
“You are not rushing me,” I point out. “There is no other man for me, and if I could, I would claim you myself.”
Endellion’s eyes flash again, Caspian looking at me through his fiery eyes, a smile curling his lips. “We’ll set the date once we are at home,” he says, his voice sounding a shade hoarser again.
“We are done here, anyway,” Flinn says while we sit down and finally have our breakfast. “We should visit Erin once more, though, to help Azadeh with keeping her walls and barriers up.”
“Yes, she expects me before lunch,” I say, “and will give me some instructions. Aylin will further be able to help me.” I am wondering why Aylin didn’t help me in the first place. Maybe she wanted us to make this journey.
“We could start our journey back after lunch,” Caelan points out.
“I was thinking we could take a little detour,” Endellion says.
His brothers eye him curiously before their eyes glaze over. I wish I could mind link them too, but maybe once Endellion marked me, I will have that connection to him and the pack. “That’s a fantastic idea,” Caelan says out aloud, pulling me out of my thoughts.
Flinn nods. “Smooth, Ende, I’m impressed.”
I’m curious as to what they are planning, but reign it in. I will learn soon enough. For now, I should rather focus on my visit to Erin.
This time, however, it's far less spectacular. She seems to be very pleased when she hears that Endellion chose me as his mate.
“Any more hallucinations?” she asks gently. “Or dreams?”
