The words that would tell him he belongs here get stuck in my throat. How do I tell him this is his home when Gael isn’t here to make it true?
Present Day
Phineas
I wish I could tell them. I would tell them everything. I would defy my oath and my grandfather. I would do what Gael’s doing, but I can’t even tell them not to bother talking to my grandfather. I would tell them there’s no point. My grandfather would rather kill me than release me from my oath.
“I want to move here, but I can’t abandon my house. It’s my responsibility to maintain the upkeep on it.” I have to choose my words carefully because my oath won’t let me speak anything that would tell them anything important. “I have to quit my job—” The rest of that sentence is cut off because I’m not allowed to talk about clan business with people who aren’t clan.
Gael kisses my temple, hugging my head to his chest. “I recognize the signs of the oath stopping your words. I’m going to free you from it, and then we’ll talk about what you want to tell us. Whatever the problem is, we’re going to fix it. You’re mine, and I’m not giving you up to isolating traditions that have stymied our social evolution.”
I nod, swallowing everything else I want to tell him. “I love you. You’re mine too.”
Gael smiles and Sin and I both bask in his unfettered joy. “Of course we are.”
I smile, burying my face in the crook of his neck. I’m so glad he’s back. My heart wasn’t whole while he was gone, and neither was Sin’s. I’m so glad they’ve finally let their relationship grow. I’m going to enjoy seeing them come together today, but I do have a hope.
“Can we leave off condoms this time?” I ask quietly. “I want you to mark me up on the inside too.”
“Oh, you sweet, lovely man,” Gael croons, and Sin reaches over, threading his fingers through my hair.
I flinch, reminded by a phantom pain of what my grandfather did earlier.
Sin’s fingers prod my scalp as if he’s looking for an injury. “Are you ok?” he demands.
I swallow the words that I can’t speak. “I’m not injured.”
Gael stiffens under me, and he pushes me back so that they both can look at me. “That is not the answer to his question.”
I press my lips together, choking on the truth I wish I could tell them. “I can’t say.”
Sin and Gael exchange a worried look, and I shrug, unable to speak the words that would condemn my grandfather.
“You are not currently injured or in pain?” Gael demands.
“Correct.” I can say that at least.
“That implies that he was injured and in pain earlier,” Sin says, studying my face. “Did someone hurt you?”
I press my lips together and shrug. “I can’t say.”
Gael releases a noise that causes a shudder of fear to shake me. It’s a reminder of why nightmares were named for his people. “I’m going to find out who hurt you, and they’ll never lay another finger on you.”
I gasp, blinking back tears. “I can’t say,” I rasp, wishing I could say anything at all besides those useless words. I want to thank him. I want to tell him I’m ok now that he’s here. I want to warn him not to try to go up against my grandfather. None of those desires come to fruition. Instead I ask again, “Will you please leave off the condoms?”
Sin presses his mouth to mine, claiming me as thoroughly as I need him to, and Gael agrees for them both. “Of course we’ll fuck you bare. You’re ours.”
Chapter 14
Present Day
Sin
Gael and I herd Phin into our bedroom, and as we lay our boyfriend out, Gael shoots me a smile that makes my soul sing. “I love the bed. Thank you for getting it.”
Grabbing the lube, I strip my clothes off as Gael adjusts Phin so that he’s ass up with his face turned for easy access to his mouth if Gael wants another blowie. “I have more size appropriate furniture ordered. A new couch that will fit him lying down, a table and chairs, and I ordered a recliner that will fit all three of us if we want to cuddle while we watch TV or something.”
I fit myself between Phin’s spread legs and not-too-gently lube up, slipping two fingers into him.
