I gasped.
It made sense, and Mother had said as much, when she had visited me at the hospital. I just never put two and two together.
"Tonight? Why would Rafael schedule the meeting at this time if he knows that we are—that this is our wedding night?"
Gabriel sighed and turned to face me. "I spoke with Rafael personally about this unusual request to meet on the night of our Marital Bonding. I can assure you that I was not happy about it."
He reached out and touched my lips with tender fingers. "Rafael assured me that it was for the best. He knows you and I need time to get to know each other and he told me to give you as much time as you needed so that you would be comfortable with me."
I shook my head. "I don't understand. What does Rafael mean? Haven't we already agreed that this was the best way to avoid serious strife between the Mage Elites and our families?"
