He laughs.It’s all up to you. You can choose which bonds to accept or reject. And if you don’t want to decide, then that’s fine too.
If I reject Kylian and Jace, will these feelings go away?
Zadyn gives me a sad smile and shakes his head.Probably not. They might lessen a bit. But, Serena, as much as I want you all to myself…you don’t have to choose between us. In cases like these, I’ve never seen a central bond choose between her mates. It would be torture. No one would expect that of you.
Not choosing—what would that even look like? I’m about as vanilla as they come. I don’t think I could juggle a polyamorous quad.
It wouldn’t have to be like that.
Well, however it would be—it seems unfair. To you. To all of you.
You don’t have to figure this out overnight. And it’s not unfair to me. Because if I get to love even some small part of you and have that returned, I promise you that will be more than enough. And if you ask either of them, I’m sure they’ll tell you the same thing.
Not Jace.
Maybe not now. Look, I know how you feel about me. I have a direct link to your mind. I can feel everything you do. I’m not threatened by you wanting them too.
I sit up and gawk at him.Are you like giving me a hall pass or something?
It’s not a hall pass. It’s just acceptance. Do I enjoy the thought of anyone else touching you? Fuck, no. But the more you’re around them, the harder it will be to fight your connection. You may hate Kylian right now, but a part of you will not stop thirsting for him. I know what it is to long for someone. I don’t want that for you. And as your mate, your primary—I know what you need. I won’t force you to choose between us.
My primary?
His eyes soften as he presses a kiss to the inside of my wrist.It’s what we call a familiar that doubles as a mate.
I marvel at him.My best friend. My familiar. My mate.
He smiles that smile that’s reserved only for me.
And while I’m still not fully convinced that I deserve him—I love him, I love him, I love him.
* Cue:I Knew It, I Know Youby Gracie Abrams
102
SERENA
“Plenty of room in here. Care to join me?”?*
Kylian’s voice floats down the hall, deep and rich. I roll my eyes, stopping just outside the iron bars of his cell.
“You’ve already lost, Kylian. Give it up.”
“Give what up?”
“The other half of the star.”
His eyes flash. “How do you know about that?”
“Doesn’t matter, I do. Now tell me where it is.”
“Say you’ll come home with me, and perhaps I will.”
“You’re in no position to be making negotiations.” I cross my arms.
“Aren’t I?” He gives me a wicked smirk, staring up at me from the floor. “Haven’t I been telling you all along that you belong to me? That you’re mine and that we’re fated?”
Shaking my head, I slide down the wall opposite him. “I still don’t quite believe it.”
