and is the reason I’m still alive today, but as a magician, Grayson has been trained to use magic to kill his enemies on the battlefield—elves. He’s a killer of Vaeril’s kind.
Vaeril winces. “The magician too?”
“Yes.” My reply is breathy. This conversation is going much calmer than I thought it would. In my dreams, he turns on me, accusing me of being selfish before shouting and ordering me to choose. Even thinking of the dreams makes me sick, my hands trembling. “I won’t choose, Vaeril, I can’t. I’m just as connected to them as I am to you.” I sound like I’m begging, and I hate it, but I need him to understand that it’s not a simple action of just picking one of them. My soul is tied to each of them, the Mother has made that clear to me now. Somehow, each one of them offers me something unique that’s helped me get to where I am today.
Vaeril flinches as my voice breaks, and I don’t miss his hands balling into fists at his side. Is it out of anger or to stop himself from reaching out to me? “It is completely against my nature to share.” His voice is low, predatory, as he narrows his eyes, and I know his fae instincts are kicking in. “Not to mention you’re asking me to share with a magician.” His voice trails off into a low growl, and there must be something wrong with me, because instead of scaring me, it stokes desire within me.
“I know.” My cheeks flush as I try to push those feelings away and focus. “I’m sorry—”
“Don’t apologise, this is the gods’ doing.” He cuts me off with a low growl again, watching as my cheeks redden. His head tilts, and I realise he’s listening to something—my fluttering heartbeat. He looks every inch the predator, and it only stirs my desire more. With bated breath, I wait for his answer. “I won’t make you choose, but know this is not going to be easy.”
“I know.” My reply is quick and honest. I can barely believe he’s even considering it. “And I know I’m asking a lot.” Nothing about my feelings towards the three men is easy. Tor, I know, will accept it if it means he can be with me. Grayson, however, will be the one who will cause more waves. An image flashes into my mind of a golden mane of hair and a scarred face, watching me from afar. Shaking my head, I try to push that thought away. I’m not connected to Eldrin, at least not through any doings of the Great Mother. My relationships are complicated enough without trying to work out my feelings for him too.
He’s still watching me, and I know I need to shove aside thoughts of all others right now and show him how much it means to me that he’s ready to accept the bond.
But are you ready to accept the bond? my thoughts demand, and it doesn’t take long for me to realise that answer. Yes.
Slowly, I raise my arms and drape them over his shoulders, pulling his chest closer to mine until we’re pressed together. I slide my fingers into his hair, gently using it to pull his face down to mine. He doesn’t put up any resistance, his lips meeting my own. Groaning into my mouth, he wraps his arms around me and pulls me closer. My desire fully ignites, and I want to see how far I can push him. Something within me has awakened and is now taking the lead, and frankly, I love it. I bite his lower lip, and he growls low in his throat in response, his hands tightening as he pushes me back until my legs smack against the dressing table. Dropping his hands to my ass, he lifts me so I’m sitting on it, and a gasp escapes me before his lips find mine again. I wrap my legs around his waist. My fingers trail through his hair, tugging lightly on his braids, and to my surprise and pleasure, he leans his head back, following the movement and exposing his throat in response. I’m not using any strength, and he could easily pull away from me, but his eyes are on fire and a feral smile displays his pointed incisors.
Moving along his jaw, I kiss and nip with my teeth, working my way along his neck until I reach his pulse point. A strange humming sound fills