Looking up, Marrick met Arslan’s eyes once more and nodded his understanding before turning to welcome Luther and Blaine properly back to the room.
The time they spent watching the other lions taking their pleasure from the nameless human on the rug passed in a blur for Marrick.He didn’t say anything; he just lay curled against Luther and Blaine.Their hands gently stroked over his skin, but they didn’t seem to need anything more from him than to know he was there.
The food came in.Marrick was still lost in his thoughts.The conversations around the fireplace had already started when he finally spoke up.
“You need his blessing, don’t you?”
“Arslan’s blessing?”Blaine asked.“For what?”
Marrick took a deep breath.“You said there was a formal thing.”
“For us to be mates?”Luther asked.“Yes.We’d need his blessing.”
“Then, we should ask for it.”
Luther immediately smiled, so easy in his acceptance of the decision.
Blaine seemed more serious, more cautious.“That’s what you want?”
“Yes.”Marrick was surprised by the certainty in his own voice.He wanted it so badly he could taste it.And, if they were truly willing to keep on treating him as if he was something more than a fragile little doll, he knew there was no way he could stop himself grabbing the opportunity to take it.“Yes.I want this.”
“Luther, Blaine…Marrick.Do any of you have anything to say?”Arslan asked, right on cue.
Suddenly, Marrick found himself standing on the hearth rug facing Arslan.Luther and Blaine stood on either side of him, much as they had the first night he’d visited the den.
”We’re ready to make the offering,” Blaine announced.
“You’ll be joining the pride as both their mates?”
To any other ear, Marrick was sure it sounded like Arslan was asking if he was sure he wanted two masters.He knew differently.It was all about joining the pride as far as Arslan was concerned—about Marrick being willing to accept that meant treating his mates well.Marrick nodded.
Arslan continued to stare at him for what felt like a lifetime.Finally, he turned his attention to the lions that flanked him.“You’ll both be responsible for him—both be answerable for anything that might happen to him?”
Out of the corner of his eyes, Marrick saw each man nod in turn.
Arslan finally seemed to reach his decision.“Make your offer.”
Suddenly sure that he should have been briefed on this bit of the proceedings beforehand, Marrick looked to where Ryland knelt at Arslan’s feet, judging him to be the man most likely to give him an answer that made sense.Just say yes or no.The mouthed words eased Marrick’s nerves.
Luther put his hand on his cheek, turning him toward him.
“If you come to us willingly and of your own free will, with no thought for your own gain and only wishing to add to the pride, then you are welcome.”
At least they were starting with an easy question.Marrick opened his lips, but Luther smilingly covered his mouth with a fingertip.He looked past Marrick towards Blaine, and Marrick followed his gaze.
“If you wish to belong to the pride, to take your rightful place in the pride, you are welcome,” Blaine told him.
Marrick didn’t try to speak again; he just held the Blaine’s eyes and let the words seep into his mind, and even more than the words, the emotions that the lion put into them came through loud and clear.He meant them.
“If you come to us without lies or secrets, you are welcome,” Luther said.
Marrick swallowed quickly, trying to look at both men at the same time but only managing to flick his attention back and forth between them.
“If you are who we believe you to be, say that you wish to take your rightful place in the pride, and you will be welcomed,” Blaine said.
For a second, Marrick waited for either of them to speak up, to add something else.It took him a moment to realise that both the lions were ready to hear his answer.
Ryland’s advice came back to him.No need for anything complicated.A yes or a no was all that was required.He could do that.No answer had ever been easier to give.
