"So?" I yawn for the umpteenth time.
"How do you feel about not one, not two, butfourhotties showing up at your front door all in one day? Seems like the gods are trying to give you a sign. Not even a subtle sign—more like they're smacking you in the face with four guys who would beperfectfor you."
"First of all, Asher is just here as a bodyguard, and Ian is just checking on his best friend's little sister. Totally innocent."
She barks a laugh. "Uh-huh, sure. Remember, denial is a river in Egypt."
"I'll admit that Zak is clearly into me, but?—"
"Nobuts, they'reallinto you."
"Butsecond of all,"I cut in anyway. "Have you seen me? I'm a mess. I can't even touch someone without them getting a very uncomfortable front-row seat to my every emotion. I need to wait until Silas has that charm ready for me, and then I'll figure out how to stop projecting on everyone I touch, and then I'll get a boyfriend. Then, when I'm ready, I'll baby-step my way into group dating so I can hopefully handle a quintet one day."
She boos me. "Girl, why wait? You have a house full of horny, sexy guys who check you out every time you're not looking. Get your freak on and go for them!"
"Jess. No. It's not happening."
"El.Yes.Now go flash them."
"Cut it out, okay? I'm not going to try dating multiple guys right now," I huff, getting irritated. "I just want one boyfriend."
"Butwhy?"she demands, frustrated. "Why are you so hell-bent on justoneboyfriend?"
"Because then I only risk disappointing one person," I snap before I can stop it.
Immediately embarrassed by my own insecurities, I turn off my lamp and pull the blanket over my head. I can still hear her sigh, though.
"I hate that you think that's even possible, El."
"I've disappointed guys before," I grumble.
"No, you've dated losers who made you feel like shit about a million stupid things—not to mention, you come from a traumatic horror show that messes with your head sometimes. You just need people who will love you right. Even if your endgame doesn't turn out to be these guys, maybe you should try dating legacies. I really think the gods are giving you the most obvious sign in the history of ever. Can you at least consider giving them a chance?"
I uncover my face to sigh. "Maybe. But if the gods are trying to give me a sign, they should know by now that I'm a wimp who might need some more convincing."
25
KAENON
I stand in the hallway,using my heightened hearing to listen to my mate speak with her ghostly companion. Then I slip back into the washroom across the hall, shutting the door so my mate will not overhear as I whisper their words to Athanis once more.
He translates for me. "She says she desires only oneboih-frend. I do not know this word, but from context I believe it to be another term for a lover."
Only one lover?
But what will become of these other males who are so protective and adoring of my mate? I frown and go out to listen in once more, then return to the washroom, relaying everything I heard, word for word, from each of them.
Athanis thinks for a moment before translating. "Your mate does not believe she is worthy of more love than what one temporary mate can give her. She worries she will disappoint multiple lovers. Her lovely, blue-haired spirit guardian is unhappy with this and is urging your mate to give all four of the males under this roof a chance to please her. Alas, Elise is fearful and says she requires more convincing."
My chest aches as I step out of the washroom once more, frowning at the door to my mate’s chambers.
How could she doubt what she is worthy of? Someone must have hurt my mate deeply in the past to make her believe she is insufficient for the mates whom fate intends for her.
"I will convince her," I whisper low so she will not hear, looking at Athanis with determination. "We all will. My mate deserves all she can have and more. Why should she doubt herself when it is clear every male here would die for her, just as I now would?"
"Hoothafuhck arreoo tawk ingtoo?"the red-haired blessed one demands as he steps into the end of the hall. "Eyeth ought yoowerr go ingtoo thuhba throom."
Athanis quickly translates for me, giving me the right words to say. I clear my throat and walk closer to face the blessed one without bothering my mate.
