Chapter 47

*"I'm sorry, did you say a Bond pair?"* I ask elder Aelrie.

Her chin tilts, angling to the side as she takes in my shock.

"Yes, I could sense it between you immediately," she says carefully, "You and the King are most definitely a Bond pair. I'm sorry, I assumed you were aware."

*A Bond pair?*

At the back of my mind, memories of my time in the shifter's library where the elaborate tapestry depicting a shifter and an elf couple hangs flash through my mind.The librarian's words echo in my head.

*"Years ago," the librarian had told me, "it was also discovered that shifters can feel a mate pull beyond other shifters, drawing them to some elves as well. Those pairings were revered because they were said to have a stronger pull toward each other than even Mates and were known to create the most powerful combination of offspring. We call those types of pairings between shifters and elves, 'Bonds'. Bond couplings were said to reap benefits from each other that not even Mates do."*

Remembering those words now brings a new level of gravity to them. They settle over me about as gently as getting run down by a carriage would.

*Damion and me? A shifter and elf bond pair? That can't be right, can it? Was it possible that elder Aelrie was somehow mistaken?*

My heart thumps unsteadily against my ribs so hard it's almost painful.

"You're certain?" I ask her.

She nods, not a shred of uncertainty or doubt in her face, "More than certain. Part of my magic is discerning others' energies and auras. From the moment I saw you and the king in the tunnels I could tell. I could feel that *your* personal energy was faint due to the Fading, but I could also sense the way his energy clings to yours. The way it shielded and protected yours, bolstering it up. It's been many many years since I've seen it, but it was unmistakable. I could see right away that your energies are already mixing."

Her eyes skate over me, "I apologize for springing that information on you. I assumed you were already aware of that fact."

I force myself to blink away the dazed shock that has my breath catching in my throat. I clench my hands into balls at my sides to stop their shaking, "It's okay, I'm glad you told me."

Was it possible that Damion knows all of this? And if he does, how *long* has he known? More importantly, if he knows why didn't he tell me?

Is there a chance that he doesn't want to be bonded to me? Is it possible that he's hoping that if I didn't know we were a bond pair that we wouldn't have to commit to anything? We did kissbut he's always stopped it from going any further than that.

Uncertainty and unease trickle through me making my stomach turn over in a sickening swoop. I need to talk to Damion before my imagination runs away from me completely.

Elder Aelrie puts a hand on my shoulder and gently squeezes, a comforting gesture that pulls me back to the present, and I tilt my face back up toward her to meet her warm brown eyes. She hesitates a moment then says, "Growing up among the fae the way that you did, I imagine that you don't have a lot of knowledge about bonded pairings between shifters and elves. But it's not something you need to be anxious about. The bond is something revered among our kind. The connection between you will be celebrated amongst both of our people."

For some reason the thought of that makes me panic even more.

So many people would be watching us with expectations I wasn't even aware of. Watching and waiting and demanding things from me that I didn't even know I could deliver. What had felt easy between Damion and me so far now felt infinitely more complicated.

I'd spent my entire life trying and failing to meet the expectations of my father and the Seelie court. The idea of now failing Damion's people-of failing *Damion* after everything he's done for me

I wasn't even sure if this-this bond- was something that I want. It was all too new. It was too much.

Aelrie gives my shoulder one last squeeze before letting her hand fall back to her side, and her lips thin into something resembling a grimace, "I'm afraid I've probably already said too much. I think this is something that you and the King need to discuss together. But I want you to know that you can always come to me with any questions you may have about bonded pairings. While I don't have any personal experience in the matter, I do know a thing or two about it from our records. You're welcome to come and find me any time."

I swallow hard, my bare feet shuffling on the soft soil. I twist the edge of my robe's sleeve between my fingers, "Thank you, elder Aelrie. With everything that's happened, I know I'm going to have a lot to sort through and figure out."

I haven't even had a moment to come to grips with the fact that my parents aren't who I had believed them to be my entire life. And it was only a few weeks ago that I realized how lacking my knowledge is where it comes to elves and even shifters for that matter. Once the shock faded, I was sure I'd have too many questions to even consider.

"Everything will work itself out, Lily," she says kindly, her serene voice calming my apprehensiveness, "There is a lot, but just take on one thing at a time-one day at a time-and it won't be as overwhelming. And you have many many people who are here for you wanting to help. You're not alone."

I let out a heavy breath I hadn't even realized I'd been holding.

One thing at time. One question at a time. *One answer at a time*. That's how I would get through this.

And I knew where I need to start.

Squaring my shoulders, I brace myself for what I know I need to do next.

"Do you know where I can find Damion?" I ask her.