I don’t know what to say. My mind is spinning. But then Cassius’ expression changes, a brief shadow of hurt crossing his face while uncertainty tightens around his eyes.
“Unless,” he says quietly, “you only want Ashton on that level, which would be your right.”
The pain in his voice stabs at my heart, and I shake my head vehemently, the panic bubbling up inside me. “No,” I say quickly. “No, that’s not it. I care about all of you. I want…” I trailoff, struggling to find the words that feel right. “I just don’t know how any of this works. I’ve never…”
“We know,” Sylvian says softly, his green eyes warm. “This is new for all of us, too. But we’ll figure it out. Together.”
I nod, my chest tightening. “I care about you all so much,” I say, my voice trembling, the truth spilling from my lips before I can stop it. “More than I’ve ever cared about anyone. You… you mean everything to me. I…”
“And you find us all sexually attractive?” Oberon asks, his voice quiet but firm. There’s no accusation in his tone, just a simple statement of fact.
I shake my head, tears welling in my eyes. “Well, yes, of course, I… I don’t know what I’m saying. It’s more than sexual attraction. I like you. Well, it’s more than that. I don’t know.”
Ashton steps forward, his hand gently brushing against mine. “It’s okay,” he says softly. “We understand. We feel the same way about you.”
“He’s right,” Cassius adds. “You don’t have to be afraid of how you feel, Alette. We’re feeling it too.”
Before I can say anything else, Sylvian steps forward and wraps me in a hug, his arms strong and comforting. But the truth is, I haven’t actually said what I’m trying to say.
“I meant that I love all of you,” I finally manage to murmur against his shoulder.
“We love you too,” he whispers, his voice barely audible, but it makes my heart swell.
When he steps back, Oberon takes his place, his embrace just as firm and comforting. “I–I’ll always be there for you,” he says, his tone softer than I’ve ever heard it, and there’s a vulnerability in his eyes that catches me off guard.
Ashton is next, his hands cupping my face as he presses a gentle kiss to my lips. “I love you too, if that wasn’t obvious” he murmurs, his voice barely above a whisper.
Finally, Cassius steps forward, his touch tentative but warm as he pulls me close.
“I’ve spent a great deal of time analyzing this,” he says quietly, his eyes fixed on mine. “Trying to determine whether what I feel is circumstance, proximity, or something… less reliable.”
His thumb brushes lightly against my arm, almost absentminded. “It isn’t.” A pause. “I care about your safety. Your wellbeing. Your presence.” His voice lowers slightly. “In a way that exceeds reason.”
His eyes soften just a fraction. “That is, by every definition I trust… love.”
No one speaks. No one moves. It feels like the entire world has narrowed to the space between us. Four men, one impossible truth, and me standing at the center of it.
My breath catches, my thoughts tangling together, too much and not enough all at once. “I…” I start, but the words won’t come.
I don’t even know where to begin. And then… a yawn slips out of me. I freeze, mortified, clapping a hand over my mouth like I can take it back.
“Oh my god, I’m so sorry—” I mumble, my voice muffled, shaking my head. “I didn’t mean?—”
It’s like I’ve flipped a switch.
Everything in the room changes.
Oberon straightens immediately, all distraction gone. “It’s been too long since you slept last. We’re tired, and humans need more sleep.”
“I’m fine,” I insist quickly, dropping my hand. “It’s just been a long day, I?—”
“You’re exhausted,” Cassius says, cutting through the denial with quiet certainty.
Ashton exhales sharply. “We should’ve thought about that sooner.”
“I’m okay,” I repeat, even as another smaller yawn threatens to betray me.
No one believes me. Not even a little.
