“You sure you’re alright, Elle?”
I nodded. “Yeah. Really.”
Leo exhaled. “Okay. Just don’t disappear like that again, alright? We worry about you, even if you’re being all mysterious and broody.” His smile returned, easier now.
“Duly noted,” I said, giving him a tired grin.
He reached for me. “Come on. Slade took some food to the room. You know he’ll wait all night for you to eat it. You may as well get it over with now.”
I sighed but offered him a real smile. I let him lead me out, but not before I turned to Maddie. “I’ll see you later?” I asked carefully.
She swallowed but smiled. “Totally.” Her fingers brushed mine for just a second—like she wanted to hold on but knew she couldn’t.
**
Back at my room, the door creaked open to the warm scent of herbs and roasted vegetables. Phoenix was perched on the windowsill with a book open in his lap. Slade stood by the small table, arms crossed, hovering over the food like a mother hen with a combat knife tucked in his belt.
He took one look at me and pointed. “Sit. Eat. You don’t get to skip two meals in a row.”
I smiled, something fragile fluttering in my chest. “Thanks, Grumpy bear,”
I crossed the room and kissed his cheek, gently—just a brush of lips and gratitude.
His ears turned scarlet immediately.
But before I could pull away, he leaned down and pressed a kiss to my forehead softer than I thought he was capable of. Protective. Quiet. Unspoken.
Across the room, Phoenix raised an eyebrow. “This is a new development.”
“Shut up,” Slade muttered, not meeting anyone’s eyes. I just nudged him affectionately.
Leo flopped dramatically into the nearest chair. “Okay, but seriously. It’s cold as balls in here, Phoenix. Can’t you do something about that?”
Phoenix sighed like a man being terribly inconvenienced. “That’s all I am to you now—a glorified matchbox.”
Still, he set his book down and moved to the fireplace, muttering under his breath as he coaxed a flame to life with a flick of his fingers.
Warmth spread slowly through the room.
I settled between them—these three warriors, these unexpected anchors of safety—and let myself soak in the moment.
The laughter. The comfort. The quiet loyalty none of them had ever spoken aloud.
And I wondered…
If tonight would be the last time I ever saw them like this.
The fire crackled low, casting soft amber light across the walls. One by one, we relaxed into the space, into each other. It was strange, how natural it felt now—like we’d known each other for years instead of weeks. Somehow, these men had become important to me in a way I still didn’t fully understand. My body warmed when they were near. My heart stuttered at the smiles they saved only for me.
Which made what I had to do all the harder.
I didn’t want to leave—not now. But fate, as always, had other plans.
So, I laughed with them, let their teasing wash over me like music. I let them touch me—small, casual brushes of fingers, a hand on my knee, a lean into my shoulder. Innocent gestures, and others that lingered longer than they should have.
Slade had finally kicked off his boots, slouching on the floor beside my chair. His head tipped back, fingers brushing mine where they dangled over the armrest. He wasn’t the type to ask for affection, but he never pulled away when I gave it. I ran myhand gently through his short, spiked hair, and he sighed, sinking against me. I wanted to weep.
Leo sprawled across the rug, one leg slung over the other, hands folded behind his head. He watched the flames, the firelight dancing in his eyes, like he was trying to memorize the shape of this night.
