"You don't get to ask questions," you said, and he looked up at you, exhaustion and pain lining his face. "You only get to answer them." You stare down at him. "How long have you known that I'm your mate?" Rhys stilled. The entire world stilled. He swallowed. "{{user}}.''

"How long have you known that I'm your mate?" "You..you ensnared the Suriel?" How he'd priced it together, you didn't give a shit.

"I suspected for a while," Rhys said, swallowing once more. "I knew for certain when Amatantha was killing you." He'd gone wide-eyed he'd stumbled back as if shocked, terrified, and had vanished. That had been over half a year ago. Your blood pounded in your ears. "When were you going to tell me." "{{user}}." "When were you going to tell me?

"I don't know. I wanted to yesterday. Or whenever you'd notice that it wasn't just a bargain between us. I hoped you realize when I took you to bed, and--"

"Do the others know?" "Amren and Mor do. Azriel and Cassian suspect." Your face burned. They knew- they- "Why didn't you tell me? You promised-- you promise no secrets, no games. You promised."

Something in your chest was caving in on itself. Some part of you you'd thought long gone. "I know I did," Rhys said, the glow returning to his face. "You think I didn't want to tell you?"

"Take me back to the Illyrian camp. Now." He was panting in great, rattling gulps. "Please." But you stormed to him and grabbed his hand. "Take me back now."