Because of me?I wondered.Because of my altering of fate?
Because of my grandfather, Kols corrected, his opposite arm wrapping around my shoulders to squeeze me tight.Not you, Shadow. Never you.
I released a shuddering breath, my heart in my throat.
Then I buried my face in his neck and inhaled his spicy aftershave. It was underlined with roses, reminding me of Aflora.You smell like our mate,I mused.
So do you,he murmured.But not roses. I smell power and mint.
That could just be me,I drawled.
He chuckled and let me go with a shake of his head. “You wish.” Then he clapped me on the shoulder. “You good?”
“No,” I admitted. “But I will be.”
He nodded. “When we kill my grandfather.”
“When we kill your grandfather,” I agreed.
“Sounds like the perfect date,” Zeph said from the doorway, his shoulder propped up against the door frame. “Will there be chocolates and flowers afterward?”
“Depends on our mate,” Kols replied, turning toward him with a grin. “Or maybe just some paste.”
“Mmm, now you’re speaking my language.” Zeph pulled Kols in for a searing kiss before meeting my gaze in challenge.Mine, he was saying.
I rolled my eyes. “He’s all yours, Headmaster.” Except for when Aflora wanted to play with us again. Then I’d indulge her desires because they were secretly becoming mine, too.
I heard that, Kols murmured.
I wasn’t exactly hiding it,I told him.
No.His auburn hair flickered like fire from the sunlight spilling in through the trees, the ash-tipped strands particularly bright.No, you’re no longer hiding at all.A hint of emotion touched his bronze irises.I can feel what you’ve sacrificed for us, Shadow.
My first instinct was to shove him out of my head, but I was too tired to try. If he wanted to play in my memories, I’d allow it.
They don’t understand what you’ve given up for us, but I do. As does Aflora.
I didn’t reply.
Because there really wasn’t much left to say.
We’re on the right path now,he whispered.Now come back inside.
He turned to lead the way with Zeph beside him.
Zakkai glanced up as I walked inside. He had his arm around Aflora’s chair, his thumb brushing her back through the cloak. She’d dropped her hood but remained otherwise wrapped up in it.
Which reminded me of why we’d come here in the first place. “Tell us about this staff,” I told my grandmother. “Please.”
The power radiatingoff of Aflora seduced my senses, taunting my Quandary Blood abilities. I kept losing myself in her cloak, the tendrils whirling around her filled with delicious energy.
She leaned into my side, her strength waning despite the blood in Zenaida’s shake. Aflora would need to properly feed soon. Yesterday’s training and today’s trial had left her replete and in need of more sustenance. I would ensure she receivedthose nutrients just as soon as we finished up with whatever game Zenaida wanted to play.
She’d made a show of cleaning up the dining table, but Kodiak had insisted on helping her with the dishes, saying she needed to focus on the guests. I gathered from her pinched brow that she would be having a word with him on that later, her desire as an Omega to manage her space evident in the way she kept glancing over to inspect his work in the kitchen.
Her eyes took on a silvery gleam for a moment as the future presented itself to her. After a beat, her features relaxed and she led us to the living area—which expanded like the dining room to accommodate everyone.
I took a seat on a couch with Aflora. Zephyrus settled into the cushion on her opposite side, his arm stretching out behind her while I clasped her hand in my lap.
