“Oh, Ribbon showed me,” Enka said proudly. “He’s on your side, by the way. And he’s terrifying.”
Krusk leaned in, voice gentler than I deserved. “Let yourself want something good, Sav. You’ve earned it. You’ve done so much to help us withourmatings. Letushelpyounow.”
My breath trembled, and for a moment—just one—I let myself imagine it.Her laughter filling my workshop, her hand brushing mine as she passed a chisel, her warmth beside me at night, soothing the worst dreams away. But then the fear came surging back
“I can’t risk her,” I whispered. “If anything happened to her… I’d become him.”
Krusk responded with one brutal, true sentence. “Then don’t let anything happen to her.”
My chest pulled tight, and Enka crossed his arms. “Yeah. Be with her, and also don’t let her die. That seems easy.There. Solved,” he said with a shrug. “That’s how I intend to be with Tasia and Gabbi.”
“Enka,” Krusk said with a sigh, “that’s not helpful.”
“It kind of is!” Enka protested.
I exhaled shakily.
“What do I do?” I asked quietly.
Enka grinned. “Step one. Stop denying the bond. It’s embarrassing for everyone.”
Krusk smacked the back of his head. Then he looked at me—steady and grounding.
“Step two,” he said, “talk to her.”
My stomach dropped. “I can’t.”
“You can,” Krusk said, his voice low and meaningful.
Enka grinned. “Youwill.”
I looked between them—the only people who knew me before the world broke me—and felt something shift, small, painful and hopeful. Maybe they were right. Maybe Ididn’thave to drown in this alone.
Krusk patted my back once before enveloping me in a hug. And Enka looped an arm over my shoulder to join in with us. A trio of brothers who’d come from another plane to find happiness in this one.
I’d thought that they would find their mates, and I’d be happy on my own. I hadn’t understood then. Istillbarely understood the bond, but I knew that it wasn’t something that could be ignored anymore.
“Go wash your face,” Enka said. “Then maybe… go to her.”
I didn’t answer. But I didn’t say no, either. And that was enough for them.
Chapter 28
Savla
Iknew I’d have to talk to her. That was the worst part.
After Krusk and Enka cornered me in the training room and tore through every defense I’d been clinging to, I couldn’t lie to myself as easily. The excuses rang hollow now.
The bond will destroy you. You’re not allowed to want her. Stay away. Keep her safe by staying away.
All of it had cracks and by the time night fell, I was exhausted. Bone-deep. My muscles ached from drills and hauling lumber, my mind was raw from replaying every word my brothers had said.
Then don’t let anything happen to her.
As if it were that simple. I climbed up to my workshop on unsteady legs, intending to carve until my hands stopped shaking. Instead, I ended up staring at the half-finished sculpture of her, the wood grain catching the lamplight along thecurve of her cheek.
“You’re trouble,” I muttered at it. Ather.At thedamn bond.
