Fates | Book 2 ✔️

[36]

I flick my eyes from M to Ciaran as they giggled and laughed before they move on to what they want to do next in between bites. My gaze meets Lance's with a shared look between us.

"I catch big fish!" Emery announces proudly. "I can show you how."

"Fish?" Ciaran asks.

Emery nods his head vigorously. "Big fish!"

"Yes, you should show me. I never caught a fish before." Ciaran takes one of his crackers from off his plate and gives it to M with a small smile of his own.

"Before that, Ciaran, do you mind answering some of our questions," I ask just as Ciaran inches closer to Emery and gives him a hug, squishing his face against his own which makes M giggle. It never takes much to make him laugh or smile. He's always been a little ball of sunshine since I've known him.

Ciaran looks at me and nods.

"Did you stow away on the wagon?"

"Yes, I wanted to play with M for just a little longer, " he answers matter-of-factly, "but if I asked daddy would have said no."

He speaks well and is quite well-mannered, expected of a prince.

"I am sure your fathers are worried about you," Lance says, turning Ciaran's attention towards him.

"For a little bit, but they know where I am." He turns his attention back to M, feeding him another cracker from his plate.

Lance and I trade glances. "And how would they know?" I ask this time.

Ciaran shrugs. "They just know."

"Because you're pre... pre-predictable. You told me," M says, causing Ciaran to cover his mouth.

"Shh! Or no more crackers for you."

"You didn't say I couldn't tell."

Ciaran only frowns and hands him some water. "You're right. I didn't, but remember for next time."

"Next time," M sings, causing Ciaran to pinch his cheek, not caring if there is dirt on there or not.

Just looking at the two of them side-by-side, they make an odd pair. Emery is already covered in dirt, his clothes littered with grass stains, and his hair full of leaves as usual. In comparison, Ciaran does not seem to have a speck of dirt on him. His clothes are neat and clean, with a few wrinkles here and there. They look far too regal for a place like this. One thing is certain, though, and that is that they're both little troublemakers. Seems we're not the only ones with our hands full.

"Okay, Ciaran, you can stay until your pack comes and picks you up, but do not do this again. You don't want to make your parents worry. They'll definitely say no to any more visits with M, if you do, " I say but Ciaran isn't paying me any mind.

"You're just so cute," Ciaran murmurs as he brings Emery into another hug, not caring about the dirt now smudged onto his clothes and face. If it was anyone else I am sure he would have minded more.

I know I say M is cute and adorable all the time, whether fresh from his rambunctious play outside or not but it's another thing for a kid to say it. Ciaran has already grown such an attachment to him and he's so fond of him. It only confirms my suspicions. Perhaps because they're kids they're unaware of the pull between mates– the constant need to be near one another– and why would they? It's rare enough to find your true mate in these times but rarer still to find them while so young.

In response, Emery snuggles into him just as he would with us, causing my heart to warm. I look at Lance and find him with the same matching expression as me. If this is what I think it is then I will no longer have to worry about the intricacies that come with love and friendship with him.