“No, thank you,” I said simply, putting an end to that. Then I turned to Saffron. “Now, if you’d like to discuss preparation for your season—”
To my surprise, Saffron wagged his finger to cut me off. “Nuh-uh. You’re not getting off the hook that easily.”
I blinked in confusion. Out of everyone, Saffron was the most eager candidate for a mate. He should’ve jumped at the opportunity to be the next bachelor. So, why did he deflect my offer?
Glancing at the dark, dour shape that was Viol, I searched his expression in case I missed something. His icy glare said he’d slap the glasses off my face if I tried roping him into this.
Turning back to the others, I admitted, “I’m afraid I don’t understand.”
“Jade,” Cobalt said, his deep voice commanding the room’s attention. “We want you to be the next bachelor.”
I met my elder brother’s gaze evenly. “And I said, no thank you.”
The twins exchanged an incredulous look.
“Why the hell not?” Aurum demanded.
“Yeah, why?” Saffron added.
I withheld a massive sigh. Good heavens, where could I even begin? I wasn’t about to reveal my deepest inner thoughts to my brothers, no matter how close we were.
“I believe my time is better spent away from the spotlight,” I explained, dodging the true reason. “Besides, if I’m the bachelor, who’s going to domyjob?”
“I can do it,” Thystle suggested.
I bit my tongue to stop myself from laughing. It was sweet of him to offer, truly, but Thystle alone couldn’t do half the work I did.
“I’ll help, too,” Cobalt added. “You brought Muzo to me.”
The laughter bubbling in my throat stopped. Thystle was one thing, but if Cobalt assisted him...
Crimson clicked his tongue. “Oh, hell, why not. I’ll chip in, too. It’s my way of repaying you for bringing Taylor into my life.”
“And Matteo into mine,” Thystle said.
Aurum put his hand on the table as if dealing into a card game. “Me and Mylo owe you. Count me in.”
Now this was interesting. I had not one, but four offers to run the Dragonfate Games. Five, if you counted the fact that the twins were attached at the hip. Could my brothers really do it? The doubtful part of me assumed they’d crash and burn, ruining the whole season...
But what if they didn’t?
I examined the facts. They’d have experienced help from the production kobolds. Crimson was organized, Cobalt had a take-charge attitude, Thystle absorbed media production knowledge from Matteo, and Aurum and Saffron... well, they were available pairs of hands.
Considering all that, it wasn’t impossible for the season to run without my input. Yet I still hesitated.
Finding a mate meant revealing the depths of your heart. Could an omega handle what was in mine?
I considered it for a moment before doubt swirled in my stomach like a frigid storm front, smothering any speck of hope.
I shook my head. “Thank you all for your help, but I insist you reconsider. Let’s run Saffron’s season first.”
Saffron scoffed like I’d insulted him. “C’mon, Jade. Think about the audience. Aurumjustwent before me.I know we’re two different people and all, but they don’t wanna see the same thing twice in a row. Shouldn’t you space us out?”
I loathed to admit it, but he had a point.
The only other option was Viol—and if I suggested he go next, I’d surely face his wrath.
Was this the only way forward?
