I’d been expecting physical fights, but he’s been behaving, at least as best as Eldrin can.
“Eldrin, it’s okay,” I call out, forcing a small smile. Of course he can sense it’s fake, and he narrows his eyes at me, but he stops snarling and straightens, understanding he can’t stop me. Taking a deep breath, I look up at Grayson. “I’m ready.”
Needing a moment with my mates, I close the distance between us and wrap my arms around Grayson. He lets out a surprised ‘oomph,’ but quickly gets over his shock and circles his arms around me, responding to the pull of our bond. I haven’t had much time with Grayson as a couple, so he’s not used to me instigating touch yet. When he first rescued me, I used to shy away from physical contact, and even now, I only tend to touch those I truly trust. I can feel his happiness that I’ve reached a point where I can turn to him when I need comfort, it practically radiates from him, despite the tension he feels regarding the upcoming journey.
I feel a shift as my other mates are drawn towards me, realising I need their support. Someone presses against my back. From the smoky, manly scent, I know it’s Tor. There’s a low chuckle, then some shuffling as more arms wrap around me. My bonds are humming happily, and I realise Vaeril and Tor were fighting for space. On the surface, everything feels right with the three of them wrapped around me, that warm buzzing sensation in my chest telling me I am complete.
Except something doesn’t quite feel right. There’s a voice in the back of my brain telling me I’m not complete, not yet. Opening my eyes, I see Eldrin watching us over Grayson’s shoulder, and I realise with clarity why I feel that way. Uncrossing one of my arms from behind Grayson’s back, I stretch it out and offer it to Eldrin. There’s a pause as he stares intently at me, his eyes boring into my soul. My chest feels tight as I wait for his decision, and I know this is it, the critical moment of whether or not he can accept being a part of my life and sharing me with a magician. I’ve not had the chance to speak with my mates about my feelings for Eldrin, although with our bonds, I’m sure they suspect something between us already.
Eldrin’s gaze suddenly shifts from me to over my shoulder, and as I look up, I see that all three of my mates are looking between him and my proffered hand, reacting off my feelings echoing down the bond.
Perhaps he’s changed his mind and he doesn’t want me anymore. My hand wavers slightly as my self-doubt plays tricks on me, and I try to push the thought away. Stop whining, I chastise myself. It’s more likely he can’t cope with being in a relationship with a part-human or sharing you with a mage, I reason, trying to prepare myself for rejection.
As if he can read my thoughts, Eldrin frowns at me, lets out a low growl, and mutters something in elvish. Vaeril chuckles behind me, the sound reverberating through me, but I don’t take my eyes off my scarred elf. Letting out a frustrated breath, Eldrin strides forward and places his hand in mine, our fingers interlocking. My heart flutters in my chest as a weight lifts from me. He may be acting like he’s frustrated, but when our eyes meet, I see the emotions he’s trying to hide from the others. He’s afraid of their reaction, I understand that, but we will tackle that together, and from the amusement I feel coming down the bond from Tor and Vaeril, I don’t think it will be as difficult as we expected. Grayson…well, he’s confused but is more concerned about the upcoming journey, so that’s a conversation for another day.
Untangling myself from my mates, and giving Eldrin’s hand a squeeze, I step back and straighten my dress, brushing off invisible lint as I compose myself. The feeling of being watched makes me pause, and I look up. I find Naril watching me with narrowed eyes, and I have to bite my tongue. He’s been suspicious of Eldrin and me for a while now, observing the two of us and making comments, so my little demonstration just now has obviously confirmed something for him. I wait for him to say something, after all, this is Naril, but he