My head reared back in surprise. “What? What do you mean?”
Priscilla sighed deeply, shaking her head. “I know she’s a leader in the resistance here. Iknowher job is important. That she feels like she needs to fight.”
She paused, gathering her thoughts, as my mind spun. Callisto was absolutely integral to the resistance movement. She was in every meeting, and was always making plans and directing others, or otherwise out helping to rescue more humans.
“But I’ve lost people to fighting before. I couldn’t stand to lose someone I love like that again.” Priscilla finally said, and her shoulders sank like a weight was pressing them down.
“I didn’t know that,” I murmured, looking at her sympathetically.
“It was a long time ago.” She sighed. “My father was someone who never sat easily in chains. My mother was more like me. She preferred peace over fighting, and didn’t see why he had to keep on with it.”
She looked at me with a sad smile. “You reminded me of him right away, you know. He had that same restless spirit you possess.”
I swallowed hard, understanding better both her reticence and her struggle between wanting peace and knowing this war had to be fought.
“I’m sorry, Pris.” I hugged her, and she clung to me, shaking slightly as I petted her hair, giving her a moment to calm down.
When she pulled back, she sniffed, “I know she must fight this war, just as you do. But I’m not sure I can give my heart away until I’m sure it won’t be shattered once more.”
I bit my lip, feeling my heart contract painfully. “I understand that, trust me.”
She met my eye, and the acknowledged truth passed between us. We were both falling, but too scared to let someone else catch us. We both met love with resistance, because a heart could be shattered just as easily as peace could be.
* * *
Walking outside,I was met with the sight of Calix taking off his shirt, leaving him in shorts that clung to his form indecently. My mouth went dry immediately, and I struggled to swallow.
Calix looked up, and the moment he caught sight of me, the massive bulge barely covered by his shorts bobbed upwards.
That fire that lived inside me sparked, and I felt a hot flush take over my body. His eyes raked over me like a physical caress, and my own were drinking in the sight of him as eagerly as I’d chased my freedom.
Priscilla laughed, knocking her shoulder into mine and waking me from my near trance. She dragged us over to two lounge chairs by the pool. Lilith was already laid out next to Harpina, and I dropped down next to her, my eyes cutting to Calix as he jumped into the pool. When he popped up from his dive, I watched the water droplets running down his chest with pure jealousy.
Lilith chuckled, ducking her head to catch my eyes. Her woodsy brown hair was in wavy curls that fell down to the bottom of her breasts that were currently encased in green fabric. She, like Priscilla, who was wearing a pink one piece, was in a leafy green colored one with spots cut out around her stomach that showed off her toned structure.
“Haven’t gotten your fill of him yet?” she teased, her nose crinkling with mirth.
Harpina snorted from her other side, sitting up to eye me. She was out of her armor and in a dark orange two-piece, her feminine beauty only enhanced by the muscles that defined her body. “She hasn’t even started to get filled as far as I can tell.”
Lilith couldn’t contain her chuckle, laughing into her hand, and I rolled my eyes at them both. “Laugh all you want. I’m doing the smart thing.”
Harpina raised a brow, eyes flashing with challenge as she swung herself up to lean over Lilith.
“And what’s that, exactly? I thought you wanted Calix?” she scoffed, shaking her head. “You were practically panting after him before. Is it because he was unattainable then?”
My head reared back, completely shocked at the accusation. “What?”
“You wanted him when you thought he had another mate out there.” She shrugged, too casual. “But now you knowyouare his mate, and you’re keeping your distance.”
I shook my head fiercely, insistent, “Absolutely not!”
“Then why?” Lilith questioned softly. “You two had such a hard time keeping your distance from one another before. But there’s nothing to keep you apart now.”
I nearly snorted. Did they really not understand at all?
“There’s plenty,” I argued, raising my brows at them. “I’m a mess, first of all. I’m just now beginning to understand who and what I am. I can’t jump into an eternal commitment when my life is in complete chaos.”
Lilith frowned sadly. “Asteria, you aren’t a mess. You’re dealing with the complete upheaval of everything you knew, yes, but don’t you think having Calix to help and support you through it is better than trying to stay away?”
