Via’s head whipped toward him so fast her hair swung over her shoulder, and Rack actually flushed.
He shot me the driest glare imaginable before sighing and pulling his shirt over his head. He turned around slower than I had, shoulders stiff like he already knew I was never letting him live this down.
The moment Via touched the rose mark between his shoulders, a long breath left him. Deep, full of relief, like he’d been holding it in for days, and maybe he had.
Via swayed where she stood, her lashes fluttering while heat spread across her cheeks. I could feel the bond surging betweenthem now too, growing stronger and stronger as her body tried to process all three connections at once.
Then her knees began to buckle, and I moved immediately, catching her before she hit the floor and guiding her back onto the couch.
“Easy,” I murmured while steadying her. “Feeling the bond for the first time can be overwhelming for turned supes. Your body isn’t used to cycling that much magic yet.”
Her breathing came faster while her eyes darted between us. “I could feel both of you.” Her voice trembled slightly. “Your emotions… everything.”
I reached inward and shut down my side of the bond. The reaction was instant. Her breathing eased slightly, though confusion pinched her brows as she looked at me.
“I closed the connection.”
Her hand grabbed mine immediately, squeezing hard enough to hurt. The sudden fear in her expression hit me right in the chest.
I leaned forward and softly kissed beneath her eye. “Hey. It’s still there.” Another kiss against her cheek. “I can open it anytime you want.”
Her grip loosened just slightly while I brushed my thumb across her knuckles. “The bond doesn’t disappear. Not unless one of us dies.”
Before she could spiral further, Rack effortlessly scooped her into his lap, one arm wrapping securely around her waist.
“But that’s not happening,” he said calmly against her hair. “Calix and I are both extremely difficult to kill.”
That earned the tiniest breath of a laugh from her, and the room finally relaxed. I looked around, realizing how exhausted all three of us looked.
“Well,” I announced, clapping my hands together once, “this day has been insane.”
Via blinked up at me.
“I think the solution is obvious.” I pointed dramatically toward the kitchen. “How about some ice cream? Sugar always helps the soul.”
Her head snapped up, the fearful look in her eyes vanishing fast enough to make me grin. “What flavor do you have?”
I pressed a thoughtful hand to my chin. “Personally, I’m a pecan swirl with blood capsules kind of man.” I pointed toward Rack. “He likes chocolate because he’s tragically boring.”
Rack deadpanned, “Vanilla is boring. Chocolate is respectable.”
Via looked between us slowly before biting back a smile. “Can I have both?”
That hit me directly in the soul, and my grin spread wide. “Both?” I pointed at her approvingly. “See? She’s brilliant.”
I blurred toward the kitchen, tossing words over my shoulder as I went. “Rack, put on a movie. Something Via wants. Tonight feels like a cuddle-on-the-couch kind of night.”
When I glanced back, Via was smiling at me softly from Rack’s lap, her arms around him tight.
The look hit me hard enough I actually grabbed my chest.
Yep. I was a goner, and I was absolutely going to be the best mate possible.
And honestly? I was only competing with one other guy. My dads had it way harder with their ridiculous situation, which meant my odds were fantastic.
26
CALIX
