She nods slowly, then gestures between us. “But… how would you explain this?”
“My brother believes in the Goddesses,” I murmur, trying to hide my displeasure. “He might believe they’re the reason.”
“But what doyoubelieve, Kane?”
What do I believe?
Nothing.
Until I met her.
“I believe in how you make me feel. I believe my scrap of soul is tethered to yours. I believe in you.”
Her expression crumples, barely, but enough. Then she blinks it away, looking down at the grass. I let her sit with my confession, my truth.
I’d raze every realm for her without pause. I choose her, not because a Goddess marked us, not because fate demands it. But because I do. Because she’s mine to choose.
Mine.
Chapter 27: Jasmine
Kane had promised to tell me the truth. They all had. But this heartful speech?
How is this the same man who once threatened to kill me? Now he’s saying things likethat, looking at me likethis? Like he’d do anything to prove himself to me. To make me believe him.
And the scary part is… I do.
Kane shifts slightly on the grass. “I know this isn’t the right time...” He hesitates, which is so unlike him it immediately gains my focus. “But, if it’s okay with you, Ezekial will be staying tonight and we…”
His nervous energy is almost too adorable, I can’t help it when my lips twitch.
“...Julien was supposed to ask, but… We wanted to know if more of us could stay over. Maybe two?”
I blink, letting his question linger a little longer than necessary, then flutter my lashes.
“Two?” The word comes out more breathless than I intended, because I’m already picturing it.
The four of them stayed over last night, but I was high on Julien’s blood, and I’d passed out before I even got a chance to feel them properly. Then, when I woke, only Julien remained.
Now my darkness uncoils at the thought of it. Two of them next door, feeling them through that wall, all night, their combined powers.
Kane must confuse my silence for concern. “We’re not trying to push you, but you’re our bond, and that separation…” He pauses, thinking over his words. “It’s not good for you.” His dark eyes lock with mine. “Or us.”
My fingers curl at my sides, darkness crawling beneath my skin, so eager to reach out.
I do know. I’ve felt it.
The ache, the exhaustion that lingers no matter how much I rest. The way I sometimes feel too hollow, like something inside me is missing even when I try to ignore it.
“It’s about desensitising you to having us near again,”he continues with another reason, clearly trying to convince me.
And his subtle desperation is so… endearing.
“Why not all four of you?”
He freezes. Then that calm, stoic expression fractures.
“You would allow that?” His disbelief is tinged with… joy?
