You didn’t seem to have an issue earlier at the thought of sharing me with Lincoln.
Drake cleared his throat before announcing, “We’ll move you all in tonight if you agree. There is plenty of room in the castle, and its location offers a much better defense.”
I didn’t think Andrei would have an issue with it, as long as we were together, but I was worried Lincoln wouldn’t be on board. His memories from that place and time in his life weren’t ones he wanted to revisit. I found that I couldn’t blame him for that.
Lincoln pushed to his feet, running a hand over his dress shirt as if he could get the wrinkles out of it and I wasn’t sure if it was from anxiety at the thought of moving into the castle, or him noticing how rough he looked still in his clothes from yesterday. He really needed sleep and a shower. “I just need to inform Estrid of what is going on and my impending departure. I will need to hand over my role as head professor for the interim.”
“Understood,” Drake acknowledged as the rest of us stood up. “I don’t want anyone going anywhere alone. If you must go and gather belongings, do so in pairs. We leave in thirty minutes. Meet at the pavilion near the portal.”
Shockingly, no one blinked twice at him taking control.
Lincoln flipped his phone out, quickly dialing a number, and talking to Estrid about the situation as soon as she answered. Lo sidled up to me and linked our arms together, dragging me away from Drake and Andrei.
“Nervous about having them all under one roof?” she inquired, genuine curiosity tinting her tone.
I was so damn grateful that she wasn’t judgmental of me having more than one mate, especially considering how protective she was of Drake. It meant the world to me that she was open minded to the unconventional, which further cemented my desire to change the slayers perception of the vampires and mend our rift.
There had to be a world where we coexisted and worked together—I refused to believe otherwise after seeing this side of Lo and Drake.
My brow raised as I considered her words. “It’s going to be interesting, to say the least. I can’t imagine what we’re going to do all day without having classes here to attend or lead. I just hope being forced together like this doesn’t put them at each other’s throat.”
A tinkling laugh fell from her lips as she shook her head at me. “Girl, I can think of many ways for the four of you to pass the time that will leave them too preoccupied to be annoyed with each other, and they all revolve around your p—”
“Lo!” Drake called, his footsteps drawing close to us once more.
My cheeks burned at the very thought of her suggestion.
Even if sharing me sexually was something my men were down for, I was not confident in my abilities to be able to handle them all at once. Hell, I’d never even had two at the same time.
“Yes, my liege,” Lo answered, turning on her heel and bowing dramatically. “How may I live to assist you?”
“You’ll take over Alina’s combat training, which I want her to keep up with every day at the castle gym. We need everyone at their absolute best, and she needs more training with someone closer to her size and who fights similarly.”
My eyes drifted to Lincoln, who was still chatting on the phone. “Does he know that yet? I think he enjoys being my teacher for hand-to-hand combat.”
The unexpected change was going to ruffle some feathers for sure.
“As your mates, none of us will be the right teacher for you,” Drake said, defending his choice.
While I didn’t disagree that they were all tempting and slightly distracting, I was worried how it would impact Lincoln.
“Our body compositions are far too different to be effective. This is for the best.”
My eyes widened as I shook my head and laughed. “I’m not going to be the one to break the news to him. Have fun with that.”
Chapter15
LINCOLN
Arriving at the castle felt like a punch to the gut. Memories from my childhood washed through me as I trailed behind the group while Drake conducted a tour for Andrei. There had been a few upgrades to some of the rooms since the last time I had been here, like the additions of the theater and the state-of-the-art gym and training room, but it was still very much the castle that I’d grown up in.
My feet stilled as we reached the board meeting room, not needing a refresher of that one at all when Drake swept his hand out, saying, “This is the only room that remains entirely untouched in the past one hundred years.”
I knew the long, dark table that sat within. It was surrounded by sixteen plush, black leather chairs—one for each member. A red velvet rug laid beneath it, giving a stark pop of color to the otherwise cold room. An arched ceiling rose above it all, echoing and amplifying all of the heated discussions that had occurred within over the centuries. I’d sat beneath my father’s feet many times on that rug, playing with the laces of his dress shoes while listening to conversations that had gone far beyond my understanding at the time.
My earliest memories were warm ones, and Lo was correct in her memory of my fascination with all things to do with the board. My father had brought me along to some meetings, as did a few other board members with their children, wanting us to have time to play and grow up together. According to the adults, no one else would understand our lives and the power our families held, and the responsibility on our shoulders, besides one another. I’d never wanted to play with them, though. Instead, I begged my father to sit in on board meetings.
For the most part, the other members tolerated my presence, with a few of them even praising my father for raising me to have an interest in such topics so young. But soon enough, those curious glances and approving eyes changed to withering glares as they demanded that their kids be allowed to sit in on meetings as well. They claimed that I had a leg up on their children for a spot on the board when we were of age and if a spot became available.
