“But as much as wedoappreciate all of this,” Rowan continued, now giving Dermot a pointed look.“Clay is right.This isn’t something the two of you should do because of this.It’s a mate bond.You’re going to regret going into it without talking about it if you do it.”
“We’ll talk about it,” Nic said.
Rowan nodded.“I know you will.Just remember that I’m not asking you to do this.I don’t think anyone should bond because of something like this, and I’m not even sure it’s going to be helpful to our situation.It might give us insights into Vila and Kudlak bonds, but it might not help when it comes to Parrish.”
Tamsin didn’t want them to bond because of this, but he knew that if it came down to it and it was the only option Nic offered, he’d say yes.There were worse things than being bonded to your mate, even if it was for a reason that had nothing to do with love.He just needed to be sure that Nic wouldn’t regret it once this was over.They might need to find more information about this kind of bond to defeat Parrish, but even if they did, Nic and Tamsin would still be bonded.There would be no escaping the bond for either of them, and Tamsin wasn’t sure that Nic had thought about the consequences of that.He didn’t seem like he was thinking much about the future, probably because he didn’t think he had one.
“I think we should free Nic,” Clay said.Everyone’s attention snapped to him.He shrugged.“We don’t want to force either of you into this, but to me, it feels like if Nic is a prisoner, we’re doing just that.”
“You’re not forcing me to do anything,” Nic said.“I can’t say this is something I would’ve normally considered, but Parrish isn’t only coming for you.If he gets his hands on me, he’ll kill me.I don’t think either me or Tamsin want that to happen.”
Tamsin wasdefinitelygoing to have words with his mate.Of course he didn’t want Parrish to hurt Nic.Of course he wanted to help the village and the clan.He didn’t need to be manipulated into it.
“I don’t think this is a good idea,” Dermot said.
Tamsin wanted to tell him that no one cared what he thought.He certainly didn’t right now.In fact, he didn’t care what anyone but Nic thought, and the only way to find out what Nic thought was to talk to him.Nic wouldn’t be honest in front of all these people, so either they needed to leave, or they needed to let Nic go, like Clay had suggested.
“I agree with Clay,” Rowan said, surprising no one.“You should be able to make this decision of your own free will, not because you feel obligated.I’m just not sure how the rest of the clan will take it.Right now, Nic is safe in our home, but we won’t be able to protect him if he leaves.I don’t think anyone would attack him, but I can’t be a hundred percent sure.”
“He can stay with me,” Tamsin declared, looking at everyone in turn and silently daring them to argue.“He’s my mate.It’s where he belongs.”
“You don’t have to do that,” Nic murmured.
“Don’t I?Because you’re agreeing to bond with me to help the clan.I can agree to take you in for the same reason.”And so that he could yell at Nic without anyone hearing.Tamsin would make sure that Nic knew exactly what he thought about all of this.
Then, he’d bond with him.
* * * *
NIC COULD TELL THATTamsin was angry with him.He’d barely talked to him as they left Clay and Rowan’s house, or as they walked to what would now be Nic’s home for a while—maybe forever, depending on whether or not Tamsin could forgive him.
Nic didn’t blame Tamsin for being angry.Nic had been pushing him away and telling him that he needed to let him go and forget about him, and now here he was, offering for them to bond for the good of the clan.They hadn’t even talked about it.Tamsin had been trying to convince Nic to give him a chance, but Nic hadn’t felt like it would be fair to him.He still didn’t, but at the same time, he desperately wanted someone to belong with and a place to call home.The clan and Tamsin could be that for him.This might be the only way for Nic to be able to bond with Tamsin without feeling guilty about it.
It might also be the thing that pushed Tamsin away.
Nic’s mind was a jumble of thoughts.He wanted Tamsin, but he didn’t think he should have him.This could be the only way for the clan to be able to defeat Parrish, but at the same time, would it be fair to trap Tamsin?Or did Tamsin actually want it?Did he wantNic?
Nic didn’t know, and he was too afraid to ask.
“This is the living room,” Tamsin said, gesturing at a small room to their left.“Feel free to use every room as you see fit.This is your home as well as mine.”
Was it?Tamsin had offered to have Nic stay with him, but that had to be because they were mates.Why else?Nic had a hard time believing that Tamsin actually wanted to be with him.He wouldn’t want to be with himself if the roles were reversed.
But they couldn’t ignore the elephant in the room.This was important.It might save the clan, and Nic never wanted anyone to lose their people if he could help it, especially after losing them already in the past.He was doing this for himself, but he was also doing it for Tamsin.
Nic didn’t know Tamsin’s story, but he didn’t need to.Kudlaks had spent centuries hunting Krsniks and their clans, and Krsniks and Vila lived together.There was a good chance that Tamsin had lost his birth clan, but he’d found a new one.He’d found a new place where he could be safe.
At least until Parrish had decided to kill them all.
“I’ll show you the guest bedroom upstairs,” Tamsin said as he turned.
Nic couldn’t take this anymore.Tamsin might be talking, but he wasn’t saying anything.He wasn’t telling Nic what he thought or what he wanted.“I’m sorry,” Nic said.
Tamsin stopped moving.“What are you sorry for?”
“For putting you in this position.I know you want to protect the clan as much as I do, but I don’t think you expected to do it by bonding with me.I should’ve talked to you first.”
Tamsin crossed his arms over his chest.“Why do you think I’m angry, exactly?”
