“I feel so terrible for what I did?—”
“You don’t need to be?—”
Evangeline puts up her hand, silencing my protest. “Please, let me finish.” Reluctantly, I nod. “I should have left the moment I saw the two of you….as you were.” She blushes, averting her gaze. “That was an extreme breach of privacy, and I swear it won’t happen again.”
“Oh, little human,” Zephyr drawls with a smirk tugging at his lips. “It willdefinitelyhappen again.”
Evangeline’s mouth parts in shock, words caught on her tongue. But before she can speak, Zephyr pushes off the post with deliberate ease and closes the distance between them, his voice dropping just enough to make her shiver.
“This is our reality,” his eyes lock on hers, “of our people having more than one mate.”
“I don’t want that. I don’t want to come between you. I…I will still help you, but I can’t ruin a relationship. I refuse.” Evangeline stubbornly holds her head high. Not many people could look Zephyr in the eyes and argue with him, which further proves she is the woman for us. For him.
“That’s not how this works, darling. If we want tohave any chance of saving our kingdom, then you must mate with Niko.” He’s standing close to her, leaning down so their faces hover just inches from one another. Just a little closer and his lips would brush hers. My body chooses this time to stiffen, hardening at the thought of the two of them together.
It is a fight I refuse to give up on.
Evangeline frowns. “But not you, right?”
And just like that, the tension in the room is suffocating. Anger, doubt, and something akin to sadness passes through the bond, none of the feelings my own. Zephyr’s carefully curated walls have weakened, pulling me in more than he probably wants.
Straightening, Zephyr backs away, donning his usual mask. “But not me,” he agrees, resuming his lean against the bedpost as if he’s in charge of keeping it upright.
Unspoken questions flicker across Evangeline’s face, written in the crease of her brow and the slight parting of her lips. I know what she wants to ask, and I know exactly where those questions would lead: to Zephyr’s parents. A conversation he’s not ready to have. Not yet. One step at a time.
Instead, I gently reach for her hand, threading my fingers through hers. The moment our skin touches, her attention shifts to me, the storm in her eyes quieting as she anchors herself in the present—anchoring herself inus.
Good.
“I won’t lie to you, Evangeline. This arrangement won’t always be easy. There’s no right way to go aboutthis, but I need to make myself abundantly clear. I’m not upset you saw us.”
“But—”
“I’m not upset because you are both my mates.” I ignore her protest. “And there’s nothing I want more than my mates seeking their pleasure in whatever way they can get it. Let me ask you a question.” I pause, and she gives her consent for me to continue. “Were you jealous of Zephyr and me? Did you feel betrayed?”
Evangeline opens her mouth, presumably to argue, but then closes it. She seems to consider the question, really consider my words. I wait with bated breath until she finally reveals her answer. With an almost imperceptible head shake, she whispers, “No. I didn’t feel any of those things.”
I angle my body toward Zephyr and present him with the same question. “Does the thought of me with Evangeline make you jealous or feel as if I betrayed you?”
“Not even a little,” he says nearly before I can get the question out. I don’t even need to check our bond to know if he’s telling the truth. Zephyr isn’t one to shy away from the truth, which is equal parts helpful and annoying.
“Not even a little?” Evangeline asks from next to me. “You’re okay with me marrying your…your mate?”
“As we’ve told you, most fae have multiple partners. Jealousy isn’t typically common amongst us, unless someone outside our circle flirts or touches what’s ours,” Zephyr says. “You may not be mine romantically, Evangeline, but you are still family. Still the betrothed of my mate. I harbor no ill will toward you.”
His words settle over us, and I hope they have finally gotten through to Evangeline. Hesitation is still coiled in her body as she nervously rubs her hands over her thigh. “Okay, then,” she murmurs, looking between us.
I squeeze her knee gently, which earns me a smile. I probably should have asked if she likes my touch—Zephyr says I’m touch-happy—but she doesn’t seem to mind it. In fact, I would argue she takes comfort in it. Another sign proving this match is perfect.
“Now that we all understand each other, I think it’s time to discuss our mating ceremony,” I say, getting the attention of both my mates. Despite myself, I can’t help but smirk at their surprised reaction. “That is why you’re here, Evangeline. Remember?”
“I’m very aware. It’s just…do we really want this to happen now?”
“Of course we do. Now is better than later. The curse is only going to get worse, and I fear waiting any longer will negatively affect the outcome of this war for us. Plus, I can better ensure your safety if we are mated, which is top priority.”
I sneak a glance at Zephyr to see if he’ll argue with the top priority comment, but he remains stoic. I know he agrees, since he pushed me to marry the day Evangeline arrived, even if he’s being standoffish about it now. Then, I thought she needed time, but I’ve allowed all the time I can grant, which, regrettably, isn’t much.
“When will the mating ceremony take place?” Evangeline asks softly, her fingers nervously twirling a stray curl, eyes fixed on the space between us rather thanmeeting mine.
