“More like last night,” I blurt in a whisper, causing both brothers to stop their seduction. “If that was… something you all wanted… I mean—we don’t—”
Ezekial’s kissing the words off my tongue, while Kane growls against my throat.
“Only when you’re ready.” Ezekial brushes his lips with mine after every few words. “We can wait. There’s time.”
Kane’s grip slowly softens, and I shift to seek out his reaction. But there’s no jealousy, no burning possession—just something tender.
“Let’s go to them,” Kane says, placing his lips to my forehead, my nose, my cheeks, my lips.
I nod against his kisses, beginning to move off his lap, then groan slightly. Every muscle aches in that well-used, well-loved way—the kind that makes me blush if I think about it too long.
But Kane doesn’t give me chance to think, or really move. He’s already standing, with me, holding me like it’s the norm.
Ezekial huffs a quiet laugh, giving me another soft, teasing kiss—then flits.
“I just need the bathroom first,” I mumble, squirming slightly in Kane’s arms, but he doesn’t put me down. “I can walk, Kane.”
He stares at me, not looking at all convinced.
I sigh. “Five minutes of privacy, and I’ll let you carry me again.”
“Three.”
I roll my eyes, but agree with a nod. That earns me the tiniest smirk as he finally sets me down, but he still follows me to the doorway.
“You’re not coming in,” I say sternly, raising my brows for emphasis. He leans against the wall beside the door, watching me even as I shut it.
Inside, I brace for the aftermath of last night. Streaks of smudged mascara, wild hair, the mess between my thighs… but my skin is clean. Even my hair’s been gently gathered at the nape of my neck, twisted into something soft and loose.
They looked after me. Even in sleep.
I stare for a second, heart thudding in a new, fragile rhythm. But instead of embarrassment, I feel… calm. Safe.
Wanted.
Not in a showy way. Not lust or praise or possession. In a way that’s quiet. Laced into the smallest things. Clean skin, a brushed curl, care I didn’t ask for but somehow still crave.
Then my gaze catches on the glint at my throat. The pendant.
I’d felt the weight of it when they clasped it around my neck last night, but seeing it now, resting just below my collarbone, it feels different. More real.
I reach up and touch it, fingers brushing the smooth surface as it hums—its colours swirling, and glowing.
They gave me something I could easily take off, but I won’t.
When I open the door, Kane’s right where I left him. He doesn’t speak. Just steps forwards and lifts me again like it’s inevitable.
I start to protest, just to get a reaction, but the look he gives me shuts it down. Those dark, entrancing eyes. That unspokenmine.
Then he flits.
***
The others are nearby, I feel them even though the hallway is silent.
Kane stops at a door and finally sets me down. I wait for him to speak, to give me something, a hint about the mystery behind it.
I glance back at him, but he says nothing, only nods towards the door with a silent command. One I consider disobeying, just to provoke him.
