And I understood.
Again.
Because I understood them. These men. My two lovers.
“Even you,” I whispered, looking at Lord Zebulon. “Your power terrifies me and seduces me. Your presence unnerves me and intrigues me. But your touch”—I laid my palm over his—“soothes me in a way no one else ever has. You make me feel normal, like I’m capable of being who I want to be. Youempowerme. Not just with your aura and sexual strength, butyou, the man beneath the intensity, bolster my spirit, give me reason to hope, and a cause to thrive. You believed in me when others would have given up. You chose to help me when others would have just sent me home. You’re not just my lord, Zebulon. You’re my savior.”
I looked at Zane, my other palm lifting to rest on his cheek while I continued holding Zebulon to me with my opposite hand.
“You’re both my saviors. In so many ways. You taught me strength. You taught me that it was okay to be me. You gave me room to breathe. But I don’t want that room anymore. I want both of you. It’s what I’ve wanted for a while now.”
I smiled, taking a moment to breathe.
Then I continued with my absolute truth. “I appreciate the distance you gave me, to ensure I had no regrets or qualms about us. Because of that, there will never be a second thought in my mind. You both are my future. Now make it happen, Zebulon. Make me yours, so I can finallybelong.”
Chapter Thirty-One
Zebulon
My lips nearly twitched, Guinevere’s demand music to my ears.
But I had one final admission that needed to be said to them both. We were talking about eternity, and I needed them to understand what this meant to me.
“I’ve lived a very long time,” I started, clearing my throat. “I’m not quite sure I loved Amarella or even Kalida. They were more achievements than heartfelt engagements.” A cold admission, but a necessary one. “However, you make me feel alive in a way I’ve never thought possible, Guinevere. You make me want to live a new experience. You make me want to indulge in love.”
I’d realized that as soon as Ashmedai statedlovelooked good on me.
I hadn’t realized that was the emotion I felt until that moment, mostly because I’d never felt this way about anyone.
Except Zane.
Who I focused on now.
“You’ve been there for me in ways I didn’t quite understand until tonight. You’re the reason my love is possible, Zane. All these years together, all your patience,youtaught me to trust again. And I didn’t even realize the importance of that until this moment. Because of you, I want to make this work. Because of you, I find myself able to trust someone new.”
I locked gazes with Guinevere, her hand still on mine.
“I want to trust you,” I whispered, leaning down to kiss her. “I want to keep you,” I added against her mouth. “Claim you. Guard you. Make you mine in a way I’ve only ever wanted one other.” I slipped my hand out from beneath hers to grab Zane. “In a way I’ve only ever desired you.” I captured his mouth, dominating him with my tongue, promising to keep him for as long as he would have me.
The bond cemented us together for eternity.
But if he desired another, I’d let him go… while still protecting him with my energy.Thatwas how much I cared about him. And I let him know that with my mouth. If he chose to just be with Guinevere, to remove me from the picture entirely, I’d allow it to happen, because I would be content to know that both of them were safe. And happy. And together.
However, I also felt his assurance that he would forever desire me, too. Had a century of proof under my literal belt that he wanted this as badly as I wanted him.
Which meant we now had an eternity to seduce Guinevere into our bed.
She’d already agreed.
I would bond her right now.
Claim her. Take her.Markher.
But I would never cage her.
Love, I found, was about letting those we cared for prosper and fly. Not locking them away to die.
Guinevere would forever be my charge, my confidant, my consort, lover, and mate, and I would be whatever she needed. That was my vow to her, one I uttered out loud before leaning down to kiss her.
