EMBER’S POV

The question lands in the car like a third passenger.

I take my eyes off the road long enough to look at her and from her face, I can tell she is not fishing for reassurance or testing me.

She’s asking because she genuinely doesn’t know the answer and the not knowing is eating her from the inside.

“Queenie—”

“I know he’s my fated mate. I know the Goddess paired us. I know all the texts and the traditions and the lore that says this bond is sacred and chosen and meant to be. But the Goddess didn’t sit in that room this morning and listen to my...