“Go ahead.” I motioned for him to continue, unable to sit down.
“Do you love him?”
“Yes,” I snapped. “I love him. He’s my mate.”
Father continued, unperturbed by my tone, “He is.”
“And?”
“He’s sensitive.”
I bristled. “There is nothing wrong with my Seth.”
“I didn’t say there was.”
“Then what are you saying?”
Standing, Father placed a hand on my arm to stop my rapid movements. “I don’t think there is anything wrong with Seth, but he does require patience and love, like anyone, but more so. Can you provide the support he needs?”
“I will give him whatever he needs, and he does the same for me.”
“You know his kind doesn’t mate for life?”
“Yes, but I believe Seth when he tells me he loves me.”
“I am worried.”
“About?”
“That when the fire of this new relationship ends and your normal routine returns, you will revert to how you used to be.”
“I won’t.”
“How can I be certain?”
“You can’t.”
“This time,” he said, “you won’t only injure us, you will injure Seth. He doesn’t deserve that, and he will be inexplicably tied to you.”
“I wouldneverhurt him or return to how I was. I promise. I fought so hard for him and for your and mother's opinions of me to change, I won’t compromise that. Not ever.”
“I believe you.”
My pulse thundered in my ears. “Does that mean you’re accepting our mating?”
“Yes.”
“Thank you.” I threw my arms around him. “Thank you.”
He patted my back. “Your mother would never let me hear the end of it if I didn’t, and I like your Seth. He clearly makes you happy if evidenced by what I stumbled on.”
I jerked away. “You need to stop bringing that up. You illegally transferred into my bedroom.”
“Don’t you have somewhere to be?”
I ran toward the window. I had to find Seth.
Zoltilvoxfyn was a restful companion, who didn’t talk much, though he named the different species and variations of plants in his extensive garden. I was examining a pink and blue flower he had crossbred when arms surrounded me, whirling me around.
