know each other alongside my trainings where I learn to manage my abilities with you at my side. I can’t bring myself to just accept things because some higher being told me it’s what’s best for me. I need to know it without doubt for myself. If you can agree to that, then I’d like to move forward.”
The grin on his face grew wider with every rambling word I spoke. “You want to be courted.”
“Um, no. We’re not from the early 1500s or whatever. We can date like normal people. I realize I’m not human any longer, but it’s how I grew up, so this is what I need.”
His hand reached for mine, and he lifted it to his mouth, placing the softest of kisses in my palm. “There is no challenge I will let get in my way of making you mine. I accept your offer, and we can begin tomorrow by accepting our bond to each other in front of the council. Then, I’ll take you out to dinner for our first date.”
Cheese and rice. It sounded like we were getting married at the courthouse, then heading to the diner to celebrate like crazy people.
What in the world had I done?
Chapter Twenty-One
Ryland walked me back to the guest house, and we kept the conversation light. He mostly chatted about things around the town that I didn’t know enough about yet. Like the bakery who made donuts only on Sundays and the Italian restaurant that had the best chicken tortellini in all the worlds.
I had to give it to him. He seemed to already know the quickest way to my heart was through my stomach.
When we arrived at the driveway, I stopped. Lights were on in the guest house and the main house, so remaining in the shadows was probably a good idea.
“I don’t want to push you into something you’re not ready for, but if you want to complete the bond, I can arrange everything with the council for tomorrow afternoon,” he said nervously while avoiding eye contact.
“Like I said before, I’m willing to accept the bond and all that comes with it, as long as you’re willing to take the relationship aspect of things slow. How does completing it work?”
We were already connected—I’d be a fool not to acknowledge the pull I felt toward him—so we might as well take advantage of the benefits while working out the details.
“It’s like a ceremony where they bind our souls together. It can still be broken like the bond we have now, but it would take a powerful being to do so, and the suffering would be unimaginable.”
Huh, I never had any special ceremony with Stryx, but our connection seemed to be locked down tight, so I guess it was different for the Meraki bond. What was a little more hurt later if need be in exchange for more balance at the present time while we figured things out? I wasn’t scared and Ryland didn’t seem to be, either. Though, his confidence seemed to be more from believing nothing would tear us apart than anything else.
“I’m not worried about it. Do we want to train tomorrow beforehand or take the day off?” I asked, then felt like an inconsiderate jerk for suggesting we work on the day we were practically getting married.
“Um, the day off would be better since I have to coordinate things with the council. We can pick up the day after, though. The two of us will have a lot of one-on-one training with the help of Stryx as he releases more of your abilities and I help you from being overtaken by magic.”
“Okay, well, I guess I’ll see you tomorrow afternoon, then?” I had no idea how we were supposed to say goodbye. If he was my actual boyfriend, I’d be kissing him senseless, but he wasn’t. He was more than that in so many ways, most of which were terrifying.
His eyes took on a sparkle that was more mischievous than innocent, causing me to take a step back. It was a look I’d yet to see and didn’t know how to read.
“I know this is a lot to take on, but I promise, I’m going to be everything you need me to be, Kali.” He closed the gap between us and gently cradled my head between his calloused hands before pressing his lips to my forehead. When he pulled away, he winked, then disappeared from existence, taking my breath with him.
I hadn’t expected him to