Despite the memory of my limited interactions with the guy, I feel a sense of relief flooding through my veins. I trust Kael’s words, especially with the Veilstone still in place. He would never risk harming me, with or without it.
Kael clears his throat and nods at the state of us. “What happened here?” he asks, and we quickly catch him up to speed on the deaths, the bounty on my head, and the carnage consuming The Vale, along with the scythe vault in the attic and everything we did to get into it.
He remains silent, absorbing every word until there’s nothing left to say. When I exhale, certain I’ve left no stone unturned, he cuts the distance toward me, wrapping me in his embrace once again.
“I’m sorry I wasn’t here,” he rasps, and I squeeze him.
“You were still helping, and I can’t tell you howgrateful I am for everything you risked,” I insist, and he smiles down at me as he takes a step back.
“I can’t believe Walker’s dead. He was almost starting to grow on me,” he mumbles, and Rion scoffs.
“Are you forgetting the fact that he hurt her?” he asks, pointing a finger at me, and I can’t help but feel like none of that matters now. Not when I’m in a room full of people I truly believe are my family, my home, my safety.
Clearing my throat, I offer a sad smile. “He died for us. He made mistakes along the way, we all do, but I wouldn’t change any of it because I’m right where I want to be,” I state, letting an air of calm silence drift through the room.
“Well, on that note, I’m going to love and leave you all because I need to fucking shower the day away,” Ocean grumbles, a tired grin on her lips, and I rush to her, wrapping her in my arms as we take a moment, rocking from side to side.
It’s strange, knowing I’m filling her with strength while also receiving from her too.
“I’ll come with you and make sure the entire building is secure from the outside,” Thorne adds, and the two of them leave.
“And then there were three,” Rion muses, and I sigh, wiping a hand down my face.
When I lift my chin up, I find them both staring at me, but it’s Kael who speaks first. “I missed you, Elodie,” he murmurs, reaching for my hand as he tugs me closer, and I go willingly.
“I missed you too,” I admit, truth in every word as I feel the press of another against my back.
I don’t need to look to know it’s Rion. He rests his chin on my shoulder as he hums. “Let’s get her clean while we sweet-talk her,” he insists, and Kael stiffens, releasing me as he puts a little distance between us.
“I’ll give you some time to?—”
“It’s a two-man job, Kael,” Rion reiterates, and it’s my turn to freeze, eyes widening in a mixture of wonder and disbelief.
Kael’s eyes settle on mine, waiting for confirmation. Of what, I’m not truly sure, but I nod regardless because I trust them.
Rion pins me against his chest, lifting my feet off the floor before he’s moving, but he doesn’t turn toward his bedroom; he heads for Kael’s instead. The vampire quickly hurries to take the lead, bypassing the bed as he moves into the bathroom, and we’re right behind him.
A shiver runs down my spine, acutely aware of the fact that Rion is already naked behind me. Combined with the desire storming in Kael’s eyes, I know I can’t deny myself this.
One of the last times the three of us were alone was in Drayker’s office, and we all know how that turned out. A part of that was to lay claim, but now? I already know they’re mine. And after all of the carnage we’ve been through in such a short period of time, I can’t help but throw caution to the wind and offer us this one moment.
A slice of unity amidst the mayhem.
Kael turns the shower on, the sound of running water disguising our heavy breathing as he turns to face us, eyes raking over me as he reaches over his head and tugs his t-shirt off.
I swipe my tongue over my bottom lip as I feast on him too, but I’m quickly reminded of the mark under his left arm. Thankfully, Rion lowers me back to my feet and I quickly cut the distance between us.
“I need to help you get rid of this,” I breathe, reaching for the spot, but before I can press my fingertip against his skin, he wraps his hand around my wrist.
“It stays.”
My eyebrows pull together as I shake my head. “You’re safe from Jude now, you?—”
He presses his finger against my lips, quieting me as he stares deep into my eyes. “I want it there forever, Elodie,” he breathes, lodging my breath in my throat. “I want you to know that it’s there by choice. Forever. That no matter what, I will always protect you, always want what’s best for you, and always ensure your happiness.”
I feel lightheaded at his admission, and I want to push back. I trust that he would never do anything to harm me, but before I can part my lips to speak, he crushes his mouth to mine.
Curling my hands around his neck, I deepen the kiss, desperate for more, and the yearning inside of me is only fueled more as Rion retakes his place, plastered against my back.
