13. Xavier

Chapter 13

Xavier

I n the aftermath of our lovemaking, the mate bond throbbed inside of me, demanding that I seal the claim. But hearing Amber's reservations and fears about solidifying the claim made my blood run cold. It was as I feared. She regretted our bonding, was hesitating to complete our connection. I only had seven days to convince her to be my mate, and we had already wasted three of them. Even with the library's help, I could not persuade her to see me as a potential mate. What more could I do?

I felt the mate bond thrumming through my veins, urging me to complete it, to seal my connection with Amber and finally break free from this centuries-old curse. Doubt gnawed at me. How could I burden her with this? Trap her in Beastly Falls, bind her to me out of obligation rather than love?

Amber dressed quietly, her brow furrowing as she studied my face. "What are you thinking about?" she asked softly. "Do you regret what we did?"

I pulled her close, my heart aching at the vulnerability in her voice. "Of course not," I assured her, even as I despaired. "I just want to be sure you're okay."

She was quiet for a moment, then nodded. "Yes, I am."

I remembered her past, her story of her ex-boyfriend and how few friends she had. She knew no one in Beastly Falls and had no support. She was more like my mother in that she would leave everyone behind if she stayed, be isolated. I couldn't do that to her. I couldn't be like that dishonorable male in her life. In that moment, I knew I couldn't complete the bond. Not yet. Amber needed to heal, to find her strength again, to build friendships and a support system. I couldn't be her entire world; that wouldn't be fair to either of us. Even if it meant we never completed the bond, that she would never be ready. She needed to be safe. She was the most important person, not me.

As if she read my mind, Amber asked, "I still feel you're not telling me everything. I'm sorry that I can't bond with you yet. Do you understand why?"

I cupped her cheek, feeling the soft skin under my palm. "Of course. I would never ask you to do anything that isn't right for you. I would never rush you."

"But the deadline…" she said.

"Don't worry about me. I'll be fine."

I would be fine. I would stay the silent sentry overlooking the library of Beastly Falls. I would never see Amber again, since she would be banished from the town, but I would fade from consciousness and not remember her. The pain would ease in time. I would survive. Eventually. Turning to stone, not just my exterior but every part of me, including my heart.

"What aren't you telling me?"

She persisted in her questions, but I refused to tell her the entire truth. That I would be stone forever. I wouldn't lay that guilt on her. It wasn't her burden to bear.

"It's nothing. I just want to get back to my post before I turn to stone. It really sucks to be stone here in my quarters," I joked, but it fell flat when she eyed me suspiciously.

She sighed and helped me clean up. As we finished dressing, I felt her eyes on me, filled with questions I wasn't ready to answer. How could I explain the full extent of my curse, the loneliness of years spent as stone, when she was still processing the reality of our supernatural world?

For now, I would give her time. Time to adjust to the truth about me and about Beastly Falls. And maybe, in time, I would find the courage to tell her everything—about the mate bond, about my hopes for us, about the possibility of breaking the curse together.

But not yet. Not when everything was still so new and fragile between us.