Changed by Fire (Phoenix Rising #6) - Harper Wylde Page 0,115

like she’s yours. But it doesn’t change what I feel for you. God, I wish I was Damien. I wish I could just show you.” Panic overtook his features for a moment as I attempted to turn away from him, to salvage some of my pride. He sucked in a deep breath as he searched for what to say. Something inside of me loosened as I viewed this side of him, seeing him lose control. I’d only ever seen him this way with Nix, but this little bit, this was for me, for us. “Fuck it. Damien!” he called across the room, his voice loud and strong. The conversation they had was private for a moment, and a flush worked over Hiro’s golden cheeks. I felt a link click open between us, and then a brush of Damien in my mind before he backed away, leaving us to whatever the hell he’d just done.

Hiro’s feelings blasted into my chest in an unexpected wave that I would have staggered under if he hadn’t maintained a solid grip on me. He felt affection, even occasional attraction, for our brothers. But it was all tempered by the solid warmth of friendship. Nix was a flame in his heart, a light as strong as her powers that flickered inside him. A moment later, he directed me to something else. I felt it, a steady glow that twined within him, wrapping into and through the love he held for Nix. The warmth of friendship was there, but so was heat, dedication, and a need that was different than the others. He thought I was beautiful, perfect even, I realized with something akin to awe. Not just outside, but inside as well. My depression, my jealousy, my humor, all of it was accepted and adored just because I was me. The link clicked off, letting me draw in a ragged breath.

“I love you, Ry,” Hiro whispered, his words husky as his fingers tightened, forcing my eyes to his, making me see the truth behind those words. “I don’t expect you to feel the same or to even understand it because, hell, half the time I don’t understand it. You’re special to me. You will always be special to me. I just want to make you understand. I can’t go back to being just your friend. You need to tell me what you want. If you don’t want me, Ry, you tell me now. I won’t make it easy on you though. I’ll do my best to change your damn mind. I’ll find some way to win your love, no matter how long it takes me. But I won’t be just your brother again. I can’t.” He dropped his hand from my chin and arched a brow in challenge.

“I love you, Hiro.” His eyes flared at the confession, but he waited, needing the rest. “More than a friend or a brother. I need you the same way I need Nix. I’ve been so damn jealous of you touching them, kissing them.”

He growled before crushing his mouth to mine, his hand coming up to collar my throat in a proprietary hold as he thrust his tongue into my mouth, the cool metal of his tongue ring teasing my lips. He pulled back and rested his forehead against mine.

“Why didn’t you say something?” he asked. “If you wanted more, why not just tell me?” Movement beside me had me angling to face Nix as she crossed her arms over her chest. Fuck. This was it. I’d screwed everything up. She wasn’t okay with us both loving each other and her.

“Did you really think I’d be mad?” She shook her head, reading the expression on my face with just a glance. “Don’t answer that. Well, I am mad.” Pain slammed through me, and I winced. “I’m pissed as hell that you thought I wouldn’t accept you two loving each other!”

“Nix, I—”

She snarled at me, shocking me into silence. “Ryder…” She trailed off. “Huh. I was going to use your middle name, and I just realized I don’t know it.”

“It’s Collin!” Damien called out, oh so helpfully. If I hadn’t been so focused on the little female in front of me, I would have flipped him off.

“Thanks. I’ll get to the rest of your middle names in a minute. Now, where was I?” She scowled again. “Oh, yeah. Ryder Collin Onasis. Don’t even start with me. I’m under no illusions about how you two feel about each other. If you’d actually