Changed by Fire (Phoenix Rising #6) - Harper Wylde Page 0,101

way as hers, but I can pull the pain from the memories. The emotion. You’d still have them, but they wouldn’t hurt the same.”

I considered his offer, nodding slowly. “I don’t want to make a decision today, and I don’t know that I’d want to do it all at once, but I’ll think about it.” I ducked my head, peering up at Gaspard and Rini through my lashes. “Thanks for listening.”

“Granddaughter, I’ll listen to anything you want to tell me. I will tell you I’m sorry you went through that, and that I’ll support and help you in any way you’re comfortable with.”

“Me too,” Rini told me softly. “I’m so proud to know you.” My smile was weak, but I tried, shifting slightly in my seat. I’d left out many of the details, knowing they didn’t need them, but I had to explain why I hesitated. Why I was so damn scared and unwilling to let anything else be taken from me. I’d earned every one of these damn scars, even if they could only be seen in my memories, and I didn’t want to let them win. When my Phoenix chirped, brushing me with her wings, I sighed.

“Thank you both. I just… I think I need to be with my mates now.”

“Of course.” They both immediately pushed to their feet.

“I’m always here, Nix,” Rini murmured, before the pair left. I sunk back into the couch, setting the water bottle aside before I took in my mates.

Twenty-Three

Hiro

My Kitsune thrashed inside me, his tails swaying like flags as he stalked around my mind, his rage rolling off of him in waves. He was furious that our mate had to put up with such betrayal from the people who should have been taking care of her, and he wanted to hunt them down. While I had a reputation among my brothers for being the calm, collected one, that description had been hard earned. My Kitsune was watchful and wary, but he was also conniving, wrathful, and aggressive—traits typical of a kitsune. When I’d been kicked from my skulk under the guise of being a gift to the Council, I’d decided then and there that I would go out of my way to be the least fox-like shifter they had ever seen. At first, it had been tough to battle my rash nature, but in time, even my fox came to enjoy my way of living. He viewed my watchfulness, my careful planning, and my detailed extractions of revenge as a kind of hunting game. The idea of Nix being hurt, however, had him immediately reverting to his preferences, which included finding and killing anyone who had hurt our mate. His need rolled through me, providing a sweet temptation I barely contained and suppressed.

I held out my arms for Nix, relieved when she slipped into them and slid onto my lap so I could brush my cheek against her head. “You’re so damn strong, Nix,” I whispered in her ear. “I don’t know that I could have ever trusted people again, yet look at everything that you’ve accomplished in your life.”

“It wasn’t easy,” she replied, sniffling slightly. I hummed into her hair, rocking her back and forth.

Damien reached out, tentatively stroking a hand down her leg. “We love you, Nix. You didn’t have to share your experience with us, but I’m glad you did. I’ll always listen if that’s what you need.”

“You too,” she offered quietly.

He sighed, pain filling his eyes as he looked at her. Guys, he called to us, his mental voice hesitant. From the way he addressed us, I could tell he was leaving Nix out of whatever link he’d created. That had to have been hard as hell on our girl. I could feel murmurs of agreement echo through my mind.

I probably couldn’t have done it, Killian said gruffly, his gentle hands across Nix’s hair a stark contrast to the steel of his tone. Opened myself up like that.

Maybe that’s what we should do though. Damien cocked his head to the side, his heavy thoughts reflected across his features. We’re mates. Good, bad, horrible… We’re supposed to share these things. How can we ask it of her if we aren’t willing to do it ourselves?

You’re suggesting sharing secrets? Theo inquired. His tone was curious, rather than horrified.

You know all my secrets, Ryder objected instantly, though there was a hint of something in his mental voice that had my focus shooting to him. He didn’t meet my gaze, though, his