“We were… assessing.”
“Discussing options,” Stellan adds.
“Strategizing.”
“About what?”
They exchange a glance. The kind of silent communication that drives me insane and they know it.
“You,” Stellan says simply.
My whole body flushes. Not embarrassment—something lower, sharper.
“Oh,” I manage.
Stellan’s mouth curves. He definitely noticed.
“The night before you return home,” he continues, moving closer. “The night before you face whatever’s waiting there. We thought you might need distraction.”
“Distraction.”
“Support,” Thane corrects.
“Comfort,” Stellan counters.
“Very thorough comfort,” Thane adds, and there’s something in his voice that makes my knees unreliable.
“You two planned this.”
“We discussed possibilities.” Stellan stops close enough that I feel the warmth radiating off his skin. “Whether you take us up on any of them is entirely your choice.”
Choice.
A year ago, I would have frozen. Would have doubted. Would have wondered what they really wanted.
That girl is gone.
Thank fuck.
I look at the wall behind me. At the stone where Thane first pressed me back and showed me what wanting could feel like.
Then I look at them. Two ancient, ridiculous creatures who’ve apparently beendiscussingme like I’m a project they’re collaborating on.
“Full circle,” I say quietly.
“Meaning?” Stellan asks.
“I was here two years ago. Scared and broken and convinced wanting too much would ruin everything.” I take a breath. “And now I’m here again. And I know exactly what I want.”
“Which is?”
I grab Stellan by the front of his pants and yank him forward.
The kiss isn’t gentle. His mouth opens under mine immediately—no hesitation, no surprise—and he kisses me back with the kind of skill that comes from centuries of practice. His tongue slides against mine, tasting, taking, and I feel myself go liquid against him.
When I pull back, his eyes have gone dark.
“Well,” he breathes. “That answers that.”
