A part of me wants to bring up the nemins. To really understand what the guys intend to do with them, but they’re not the reason why I feel so unsettled right now. I sigh heavily. I think about the shadows I saw when I was with Galen and Raith. About the strange rippling of my skin that happened during the obstacle course, and the chaotic power I keep feeling building inside me anytime I’m in danger. And then there’s the fact I can speak the nemins’ language. I know Galen isn’t going to let this go, so I explain, “It’s just…what if the prophecy is right?”
Galen’s brows lift, and Raith’s hand stills on my thigh.
I worry my bottom lip. “I mean, it says you should beware of your fated mate. That’s pretty clear. I recite the prophecy:When the time comes to close the fold, four must stand against the bitter cold. Only one can make you break, beware the bond of your beloved mate.” I lick my lips nervously. “I don’t want to hurt any of you, and I don’t want to be the reason we lose the war. What if there’s a good reason behind why I can’t control my shadow magic very well? What if, I really am dangerous, andeveryone’s safer if I can never access my magic properly?” My chest feels heavy and hollow when I say it out loud. Truthfully, I don’t exactly feel very powerful right now, but I can’t deny that strange things have been happening, and the idea that I really could be the reason the allied realms fall terrifies me. I think of Blake and her mates in the demon realm. Of all the other friends I’ve made over the years, and I hate the idea that I could be the reason anyone suffers.
Galen holds my gaze as he replies simply, “You need your shadow powers to survive the games. Let’s just focus on that for now.”
“But this is so much bigger than the games,” I protest. “I mean, who cares?—”
“We care,” Raith rumbles, interrupting me. He’s gripping my thigh possessively now, and I can’t help but lean into him.
“You don’t understand, Shade,” Galen says, his voice level. “The four of us, Thane, Knox, Raith, and myself, are destined to close the fold that ties this realm to that of the Xalgrith’s. It’s the only way we will ever be able to end this war.”
“Exactly,” I agree. “I understand that.”
“No,” Galen says, shaking his head. “What you need to understand is that you’re our fated mate, and if you don’t survive the games, we won’t have to worry about closing the fold. We’ve lost a mate before, and then it was only Knox and Raith who had a connection with her and for a short time. Now that we have you…I’m realizing that it’s your death that would break us.” He says it so seriously, so calmly, that all I can do is stare at him as he speaks, and the breath rushes from my lungs.
“So if you die, the war will likely still be lost,” Raith rumbles. “It might even be the cause. Better that you live and we just try not to bond.”
I swallow hard. “You’re making it sound simple.”
“That’s because it is,” Raith replies, grinning. “I’m pretty sure we can make it work. Let’s just make sure you’re not gettin’ busy with all four of us touchin’ at the same time. Somethin’ tells me given Knox’s view on things, we don’t have to worry about that any time soon.”
My stomach twists, and Galen moves until I’m well and truly sandwiched between him and Raith.
“So like I said, let’s focus on strengthening your power, shall we?” Galen drawls, dragging his fingers through my hair and massaging my scalp.
I give him a slow nod, because I’m pretty sure there’s no arguing. I just hope he’s right.
Chapter Twelve
~ Thane ~
“We agreed we wouldn’t fuck her,” I growl as Galen and Raith exit Galen’s bedroom, striding into the living room where Knox and I are waiting. The scent of our mate is all over them, and they smile smugly at us, not the least bit remorseful.
“As long as we don’t bond with her, she’s not a danger. I think she deserved that after what we put her through tonight,” Galen replies, his eyes practically glowing as he gloats at me.
I grind my teeth as I resist wrapping my hands around his throat. “We’re already treading on thin ice. We’d agreed not to cross that line so we wouldn’t be tempted.”
Galen doesn’t look the least bit concerned, and he strolls over, dropping onto the couch. “Knox has made it clear he has no interest in her, and provided he doesn’t see sense and get involved, the threat of bonding is non-existent. I, for one, intend to have fun with our mate, and bring her all the pleasure she desires.”
“Until what? Her death in the games?” Knox’s cold words slice across the room, and we all tense.
I bristle at the thought of my mate’s life being in jeopardy. It’s too soon after watching her with the nemins.
Raith glares at his brother. “Provided you’re not involved, brother, this mate might actually stay alive.” It’s a cruel barb that must wound Knox. He doesn’t show any emotion on his face, but we all know those words would have cut deep. “We were idiots to use her as bait for the nemins,” Raith adds.
At those last words, there’s a hint of remorse in Knox’s eyes, but it disappears quickly.
“That’s enough,” I growl, not in the mood to watch them bicker. “Arguing about it isn’t going to help matters. What’s done is done. Provided there is no bonding involved, we’ll have to make this work.”
“Mmmm yes,” Galen agrees, “though, I do think we have bigger problems than that.”
My gaze slides to him.
“Being able to speak to the nemins is certainly strange,” Galen goes on. “And if she does that during the games, the queen will realize her value. Not to mention, she’s growing stronger every day. Just now Shade conjured shadows for the first time. They’ll be useless to her if she can’t harness them, but I think it’s safe to say if she becomes as strong as we think she must be, she’s going to draw attention during the games.”
I cross my arms, not liking where this is going. “You think the queen will want to use her power as a weapon.” It’s not a question, it’s a statement. One that I had already come to. “We’ve been hoping she’d survive the games, gain her immortality, and then we could bargain with the queen to have her join us. That maybe, we could convince the queen to let her help us train newer students rather than fighting in the army. But if she catches the queen’s eye and makes herself appear toovaluable, the queen will never let her stay with us.” The thought has me scowling.
