Merrick scowled at them, then stormed out of the room without looking at me again.
“Holy fuck,” Rune whispered. “You are glorious.”
“Amazing,” Braxen added.
“Thank you,” I said as I stumbled to a couch. I sat down as gracefully as possible, then plopped back against the cushions. “But that took all my remaining energy.”
My stomach rumbled right on cue. Despite all that had happened and how long we had to wait on the police and firefighters, it wasn't that late, only around four. But I hadn't eaten since breakfast, and I'm a three meals a day plus snacks kinda girl.
Braxen grunted and left the room. This time, I knew he was going to get me food. That big, beautiful man. As he left, Rune sat down beside me and pulled me in against his side.
“It really was just Merrick who bothered me,” I murmured. “You and Brax aren't controlling. I'm sorry I said that.”
“No, you're right,” Rune said. “We don't mean to be, but I know we've been too domineering with you. We'll try to be better. I know Merrick is trying even as we speak.” He chuckled. “I can feel his . . .” he trailed off.
“What?” I looked over to see Rune's blank expression.
“You know how we can feel each other's emotions?”
“Yes.”
“Merrick is usually steady. I know he's been feeling my love for you, and it's sinking in. Loving you is inevitable for him and Brax.”
“But?” I prompted.
Rune met my stare. “But it's not inevitable for you to fall in love with them. Merrick has just realized that.”
I snorted. “You guys made it sound as if it was my destiny to fall in love with the three of you.”
“Destiny is more malleable than you might think.” Rune chewed at his bottom lip. “The spell is meant to draw us together, but it can't force us to fall in love. No magic can do that, not permanently and not truly. Hades wants real love for us. Only real love can last an eternity. So, I don't think the spell has any effect on our hearts. It only shows us who is best for us. The rest is up to us.” His gaze slid up as if he could see through the ceiling and focus on Merrick. “I fell in love and that sealed our side of things. Braxen and Merrick are already yours.” Rune shifted his stare back to me. “We're three souls bound as one. But you see us as three individuals. Love is unpredictable. You could fall in love with two of us and not the third. As I said, Lora. You're in charge.”
I let out a long sigh and glanced up. For a second, it did seem as if I could see Merrick up there, sitting on the edge of his bed with his head in his hands. I'd known a lot of men like him—all bluster to hide their softer spots. He wouldn't have raged at me if he hadn't been worried. About me. In short, he cared. And in return, I had hit him and . . .
“I scared him,” I whispered.
“Yes, he's terrified. I've never felt fear from Merrick before. Not once in hundreds of years. I kinda feel bad about laughing at him.”
I snorted, then I sighed again. “I'll go speak to him.”
“No,” Braxen said as he came into the room with a tray of food. “You need to eat, and he needs to stew. Leave him be for a few hours, Lora. Fear is good for a man.” He put the tray on the coffee table before me. “It sharpens his focus. Reminds him of what's important.”
Rune grinned. “Maybe he's right.”
“All right,” I said, then my belly rumbled again. “Thank you for taking care of me, Brax.”
“Always.” He sat down on my other side, snatched one of the sandwiches that he had piled on a plate, and grinned. “I was hungry too.”
Rune took one as well. “And me. Thanks, Brax.”
“Yup,” Braxen said. “Oh, Lora, I, uh. I found the box. I took it when I brought back Kaleo.”
“The box?”
“With that pole he purchased.”
“He bought a pole from you?” Rune asked.
“A totem pole,” I clarified.
