Only You

Mates

It felt like hours as she stared at him. She took in his long silver hair, the tight fit of his black jacket over his broad shoulders. But she couldn't stop staring at his eyes. The pine green, the way they never looked away from her own. It was like an answer to a question she didn't even know she had been asking.

She did not move for fear of it being a dream.

She felt the touch of a hand on her shoulder, the gentle shake. It broke whatever trance she had been under and she was transported back to the great hall, where upon inspection, all eyes were on her. She didn't blink as she abruptly stood and gave an excuse before rushing out of the room.

She didn't stop until she made it to her rooms. The door slamming behind her making Fleetfoot jump from where she was sleeping on the bed.

Aelin headed straight for the balcony where the cool breeze brushed against her. The autumn sun kissing her skin. Her hands grabbed the stone railing of the balcony, her grip tightening as she remembered his face.

Her mate.

Had she not just been in the arms of Sam? Spouting declarations of love, being asked to run away with him?

Her head was spinning. Mates were a rare and precious thing to find. Something that only the few lucky Fae were able to have. A bond that was so intense and binding that it could drive people to do crazy things.

Aelin had never even considered that she had a mate. She had always assumed that perhaps if Sam had been Fae he would've been it... but Rowan Whitethorn.

"Fireheart?" Her mothers voice stopped her train of thought. "Are you alright? I've never seen you run so fast out of a room."

Her breathing turned ragged once more, the full reality of it hitting. She couldn't speak, or think. She couldn't turn around and look at her mother, for no reason except she was scared. "Aelin?" She repeated her name, coming to put a hand on her shoulder.

"He's..." A deep breathe in. "He's my mate." As soon as the words left her mouth she felt her entire body sag. Wasn't mating meant to be happy?

"Why are you crying? This is a wonderful thing, darling." She wiped the tears from Aelin's cheeks. "Finding your mate is joyous, it warrants a celebration!" Her mother smiled at her, eyes bright with excitement.

"Evalin? Aelin?" Aelin's father emerged from the bedroom and onto the balcony. "What's the matter?"

"Aelin found her mate."

She groaned. How was she going to explain to Sam? That the morning after he proposed running away together, she suddenly has a mate. A thought popped into her mind. "Do I have to accept it?"

Her parents looked to each other, confusion evident on their faces. "Why would you not accept it?"

Aelin held in a breathe as she let go of all the secrets she had been hanging onto for two years. She told them about Sam, about the boy in the library who stole her heart. About the boy who would give up everything to be with her, the boy who treated her not as a princess, but as a person. She told them about the stolen nights together, how she wanted it to be him with her entire being. And when she was done, her parents held her in their arms as she cried.

Her parents held her as she cried for what she knew she was going to have to lose. No one said a word for what seemed like a long time. Her father being the first to break the silence.

"I know it is difficult. To let go of something so dear to you... it will not be easy. But you have found something so incredibly rare and wonderful that it would be a damned shame if you let it slip through your fingers." She didn't say anything as her father continued. "I don't enjoy being the one to tell you these things Aelin. But Sam... he can't be what you want him to be. Tradition and law state it. You're a smart woman, and I know you love your kingdom and your family, which is why I trust that you will make the right decision." He kissed her forehead, her mother doing the same.

"We love you Aelin, and are so proud of the person you have become."

She smiled numbly at her parents. Wishing the storm in her head would subside.