Nicholas continues, " I only had her around to get my family and you off my back."
" So, you've never been with anyone since..."
" I haven't," he mutters.
" Well, I'm your mate, and if we mate and mark each other today, you are not supposed to feel guilt, Nicholas."
He looks frustrated, not ready for the mate and mark conversation. " Let's go inside," I say, staying put, not following him.
" I'm sorry if I was avoiding you. It just felt wrong doing what we did, even though I know it wasn't."
I nod and follow him, taking my hand in his. He doesn't repel me.
We sleep in each other's arms. That night, I dreamed I was at a lake in a mountainous area. It was lovely and cool yet cold. I was admiring its beauty when I saw her—Apphia. She was sitting atop a large boulder, looking rega
