Cora, the Goddess's smile broadens as she continues, "But you can tell your sister that I haven't been so generous as to send her two mates at once. And because I know it will worry her, you can tell her I've made her only one mate in this world, even though his mate had two." I grin, thinking about her phrasing it as generosity, not the torture it clearly is for Sinclair. "Why, though?" I ask, curious.

"Why did he get two?" The goddess laughs, a tinkling sound. "I have bigger plans, Cora, stretching generations into the future. One day, Dominic's experience loving two mates will help him empathize with another who struggles similarly." She smirks. "Thoughmaybe don't tell him that," she wrinkles her nose playfully. "Might be more fun if you don't." I laugh, delighted that my mother, the Goddess, is a bit of a trickster. How had we missed that?

"So, what's the deal with the Prince?" I ask, ignoring Roger's mumbling about not understanding anything.

"The bond with the Prince," Mom says, shrugging, "is something else. But some things, my love, must remain a mystery. The connection I've built between Ella and the Atalaxian Prince—it's merely a seed." She glances at my stomach, then at Ella. "Seeds, like children, take time to grow. But when they do" She smiles, leaving the thought unfinished, shaking her hair back. "Is there anything else, daughter?" she asks, fading slightly.

"The baby?" I ask, desperate. My hand goes to my stomach. "Is hewill he be all right?" She grins. "Your child will be born safe and sound, Cora, don't worry." A little laugh rings out as she almost disappears. "And tell Ella I love her, and to keep trying. I'm eager to see my first granddaughter." Then, she's gone.

I blink at the empty space and breathe deeply before looking at my family, who stare at me.

"That was super weird," Roger says, eyes wide.

"Well, you probably looked like a lunatic talking to air," I say, rolling my eyes, "the night she visited you on the boat." Sinclair murmurs, "Cora, pleasetell me what she said. I'm dying here." "Aww, Dominic," I murmur, briefly considering teasing him, but he's too miserable. "Calvin isn't Ella's fated mate. She said she only made Ella one mate—you." "Oh my god," he whispers, the tension visibly leaving my sister and her mate. My heart breaks as Sinclair's shoulders shake with relief, Ella pressing close, murmuring reassurances.

I smile, relieved when Roger slips onto the couch behind me, pulling me into his lap. I turn to him as he wraps his arms around me, giving Ella and Sinclair a moment.

"What about me?" Roger murmurs, nudging me. "How many do I get?" I lean back, appalled. "You get one, Roger Sinclair," I growl, grabbing his shirt.

"Awww," he says, feigning disappointment. "I was hoping for eight or nine. Really start a little harem—" "I'd kill them all," I hiss, laughing. "Though I probably wouldn't need to—they'd get one look at you and reject the bond immediately—" "That's just what I'd tell you," he murmurs, grinning and pulling me close.

"When secretly, I'd keep them all in a little cabin in the woods, my secret wives—" I burst into laughter, but we both turn to my sister when she calls my name.

"What else did she say?" Ella asks, peaceful. So, I tell her everything strange Mom said about the bond being a seed, and seeds, like children, needing time to grow.

"That's so weird," Ella breathes, confused.

Sinclair says, his voice serious despite Ella's peace, "You asked 'why did he get two?' Whatwhat did she say to that?" I grin, feeling my mother's mischief. "She said Roger got two Pop-Tarts this morning because they come in a pack," I say slowly, grinning. "It's only right they be eaten together." Sinclair narrows his eyes as Ella laughs. "Tell me," the King orders, his alpha asserting itself.

But Ella scoffs. "Cora's conversation with our mother is hers, Dominic. You don't get to demand that of her." "She told you the answer to your question," he grumbles, glaring. Ella sighs, taking his face in her hands. "Does it really matter?" she asks, shaking her head. "I am your mate, Dominic, and you are mine, and that's enough." "Unless he has a third out there somewhere," Roger murmurs unhelpfully, smirking.

Ella gasps and glares at Roger, but I laugh and stand. "Enough of this," I say. "You have a country to run, and I have a shift at the clinic this evening." Everyone stands, Ella hugging me. "Thank you, Cora," she whispers. "I'm so grateful." "Easily done," I say, smiling. I hold her close, whispering, "She said to keep trying, Ells—she wants to see her granddaughter soon." Ella pulls away, beaming, tears in her eyes, clutching Sinclair. "Really?" she breathes.

I nod, and Ella throws herself into Sinclair's arms.

"What?" Sinclair asks, frowning. "What did you say to her?" "Would you stop being so serious, Dominic?" I say, rolling my eyes as Roger wraps an arm around my waist. "It was all good news—you need to cheer up! You don't need all the details." He sighs, realizing I'm right. "You're really not going to tell me?" he says, chagrined. "What she said, about me having two mates?" "She told me not to," I say, grinning. "I think she wants you to figure it out yourself. ButI can tell you she definitely gave you two mates for a reason." Sinclair sighs, but contentment appears as he and Ella leave. Roger stands close.

"Any goddess messages for me?" he murmurs, smiling.

"Nah," I say, grinning. "Just that the baby will be born happy and healthy. But that's all I asked." He smiles, pleased but curious. "Really?" he says, pressing a palm to my cheek. "You didn't ask anything else? You're not curious?" "Roger," I say, shaking my head, wrapping my arms around his waist. "I'm so curious about our future. But I have no real interest in being an oracle. I want to find out as we live it. It's enough for me." "And you're enough for me," he murmurs, kissing me.