“Elaria deserves more than that and she deserves a man who will fight to give it to her,” Declan said contemptuously.
“I did fight!” Verin leaned forward to snap at Declan. “All I've been doing this past month is fighting for her. I came here today expecting to fightwithher but she accepted the terms. She doesn't need more so why do you?”
“Because we love her,” Banning said firmly. “We love her so much that we married her even though we had to share her. You should love her enough for that too.”
“I do!” Verin roared. “I love her so much that this month has torn me apart. I haven't slept, I've barely eaten, all I've done is snap at my advisers who were only doing what their honor demanded of them. I love her so damn much that I came here today, willing to give up my crown if she wouldn't accept what I offered.”
Everyone went quiet again.
It was I who broke the silence this time. “You would have given up your kingdom for me?”
Verin—shaking with emotions, his face straining into lines of rage and frustration, and his body tightening with determination—turned to face me and melted. Everything about him softened and his eyes filled with love. “I would sacrifice my soul for you.”
“That's good enough for me,” Slate declared flippantly and held out his hand to Verin. “Welcome to the family.”
“Not so fast.” Banning held out a hand too but it was in protest, not welcome. “He loves you enough. Fine, that's great, but he doesn't get to be one of us and not be a part of the spell. The RS is the reason we allow you to have other lovers, Elaria. You don't get to add another without him helping to fuel you.”
“Banning, he risked everything to fuel the RS and save me,” I argued.
“And if he wants to be with you, he should continue to do so,” Declan said. “I agree with Banning. It's only right.”
Verin grunted.
“She doesn't need him,” I protested.
“And yet he's here.” Darc waved at Verin. “He wants in but not fully. No true commitment—not with magic or marriage. That's unacceptable.”
Verin grunted louder.
“I think he's proven his commitment.” I glared at my husbands.
“Hardly,” Torin scoffed. “How do we know that he's not going to change his mind tomorrow? Without the bond in place, he could leave at any time.”
“If he changes his mind, then you'll have one less man to share me with. Isn't that what you want?” I growled.
Verin roared.
We all went silent and turned to stare at Verin in shock. All of us except for Cerberus, who laughed his ass off. I shifted my stare to Cer and changed it into a glare.
“He's been trying to get your attention for awhile now.” Cerberus waved at Verin. “But you yahoos have been talking over him.”
“I see that I'll need to be more vocal with all of you,” Verin noted irritably.
“Well?” Declan demanded. “You have our attention now. What have you got to say, Dragon?”
“I have no problem with rejoining the spell.” Verin lifted his chin. “I would marry Elaria today if I could. This is not about a lack of commitment, it's about royal obligations.”
My husbands looked at each other. Slate snorted and smirked. They looked at Slate.
“Come on. You didn't see that coming?” Slate asked with a casual wave Verin's way. “Elaria said thatshetold him he didn't have to fuel the spell, not thatheasked to be exempt. A guy who would give up his soul for a woman is fully committed. He's not going anywhere.”
“I think we should still have that probation period, except it will be for Verin joining the RS,” Torin suggested.
“Now youdon'twant him to join us?” I huffed. “Make up your damn mind, Torin.”
“I wanted him towantto join us,” Torin grumbled. “But now that he does, I think I'd prefer to keep the option of his leaving open.”
“Are you saying that you won't truly accept him for a year?” I snarled.
