However, my mate was stretched well beyond his limits, and even if he wasn’t, I needed to process—reluctantly admitted. I always rushed into everything headfirst and suffered the consequences later, but with this, I had to take my time. Even if it pained me. My gut instincts were telling me Zadok was a decent guy who’d been dealt a shitty hand, and as Cair always said, my gut instincts were usually spot on. But I still needed to let it all absorb. To let myself get used to the idea that this could all actually work out without a hitch. I wanted to know everything, to learn how to use my magic, to talk to him one-on-one, and I was determined to do so, but for everyone’s sake, I had to be patient.

Well, maaaybe one or two books wouldn’t go amiss, even if they weren’t about actual spell casting. It would help keep me occupied and less maudlin.

For now.

I glanced over at Zadok, catching his eye as he set the chair back against the wall. “Can I ask one more question before you go?”

The skin between his eyebrows creased. “Of course.”

“Please can I borrow some books on magic?” I pulled out the big guns—the baby-blue puppy eyes. “Since I’m being forced to stay in and all, I think it’s only fair that I’m offered entertainment. A consolation prize, if you will.”

There was a beat of silence before Flick threw his head back and barked a singular “Ha” at the ceiling. He patted Zadok’s shoulder. “Definitely your son.”

Zadok shook his head fondly, eying me with a sense of admiration. “I will gather the materials and bring them to you tomorrow morning. Deal?”

I nodded.

Flick tapped his leg. “Leaf, come on.”

Slow as could be, the little beast lifted her head, giving him what could only be described as a scathing once-over, but ultimately, she decided to obey.

Zadok smiled at me as he retreated, but missed his footing as he turned toward the door. Luckily, Flick had anticipated his clumsiness, and reached out one-handed to steady him, a mildly exasperated sigh flaring his nostrils. I couldn’t help but grin to myself at the familiar scene, peering up at Cair from the corner of my eye to find he was already sending me a knowing look.

No DNA test needed.

The door closed, and I let out a slow breath, giving myself a minute to just be. A yawn disturbed my plan to chat Cair’s ear off, spending an hour rehashing everything he’d been present for. I liked to go over things multiple times to make sure I was on the right page. Mostly I wanted to rebel against the order to go to bed, to prove I could stay awake, but I wasn’t fooling anyone.