The Crystal Mines

50 Callion

I slammed the fecking book shut. Researching how to break a mating bond was not easy or desirable. The book Nik had found me reading proved to be useless, only speaking about choosing to reject a bond and how to live with the decision. Anyone that had tried in the past either ended up being drawn back to their mate or had to wait until they died. Fae lived to be multiple hundreds of years old. I couldn't imagine living feeling my mate's love for another for millennia. And to even attempt living a normal life, trying to fine love for myself, unfathomable. At least Nik had too mates.

Jakota had joined me in my research. I had told only him after the episode in the courtyard. That had been a couple of days ago. Growing up together, he was used to my foul moods and knew when to leave me be. In this, he pushed and pushed. When he said that I needed someone, I realized that someone was usually Ameer. And this was not something I could talk to him about. I didn't resent him in anyway for loving Nik. I didn't resent either of them if I was being honest with myself. But I was beyond exhausted at being the one that was standing in their way. The sooner I figured this out the better. No matter my own desires.

We sat in the area at the front of the library that had become my own. Piles of books organized by subject or relevance were scattered about. To everyone else, it probably looked like a mess. I grabbed one I had already read off the top of a tower on the table. It had spoken about someone having a mate, but they had died. Then, he ended up finding another mate later in life, a second one in the same lifetime. The only reference to someone having two. But no book in the library had record of someone having two at the same time. Some people would have a mate and take on another partner at the same time, but this was not going to happen between the three of us. I loved Ameer, but only as a brother. The idea of going to the lengths for that type of relationship, didn't appall me. I simply wasn't interested in that type of lifestyle myself.

Jakota flipped his pages rapidly then shut his book in defeat as well. We had at least agreed that the subject matter had been exhausted. I could feel my magic beginning to pool within. Since leaving the mines, my magic was slowly getting back to what it used to be. Which meant, my body was beginning to fill to a point that I would have to expel it at some point. I was surprised that Nik hadn't begun feeling the same way yet. But she may not be aware since she was still new to her magic. It had to be coming soon though, that amount of power could only be sustained one way.

My thoughts were interrupted by Jakota thinking loudly. I knew the male well. When he was set on something, he would wring his dark hair or scratch at his manicured beard. In this moment, his hands were on his head, tangled in his curls. Leaning forward on his knees, he spoke an idea. "What if we tried to break the tattoo bond between you two first. At least maybe we'd find answers to breaking Dath's tattoo too. I know it's not the same, but it's a start."

I hated it. Hated how good of an idea it was. Dreaded that I would have to present Nik with the idea. There was no telling how she would react either. I couldn't even construct the dialog in my mind ahead of time. My hands grew hot as the magic built. Jakota watched my eyes. I knew what he saw there. Nik had noticed it too after Ameer's teasing had gone too far. I shook my head at him. I was fine. He remained skeptical but didn't push the subject.

"Cal," Jakota began, "you don't have to do this you know."

I growled at him, baring my lion's teeth. He didn't flinch at my threat as he could handle me at my worst mood. Jakota didn't shift often, but when he did, it was a white tiger. My mood bothered him very little, and I was glad for it.

"Yes, I do."

"Do you want to?"

I stood up, unable to contain myself any longer. "This isn't about what I want. This is about what needs to happen. That female has had enough happen to her. The last thing she needs is something like this holding her back from getting what she wants."