Page 61 of Binding His Fated Mates

Lee didn’t say anything, but he nodded slowly. The look in his eyes told me that he understood exactly what I meant.

Daniel’s expression wavered, becoming suddenly wide-open and vulnerable, his defenses completely gone. But through the bond between us, I felt a flare of something unusual. Dread.

My brows drew together and I studied him. That was an odd thing for him to feel. Wasn’t it?

Was there… was there something he wasn’t telling us? No, impossible. He’d sworn to be honest.

“I’m kind of terrified,” Daniel admitted, his dark eyes searching mine. “And I’m maybe even a little bit convinced I’m going to screw this all up.” He paused. “But I’m happy, too.”

Oh. Well, that explained things, didn’t it? I felt a flash of guilt at having doubted him. And his fears made total sense, even if they weren’t ever going to come true. Not under my watch.

“You won’t screw anything up,” I assured him. “I know that’s what you tell yourself, but it’s not true. You were the reason—the only reason—that we got through tonight intact. You’re magic, Daniel. In more ways than one.”

Daniel’s expression softened and his lips parted, his gaze not leaving mine for a long moment. “Thanks,” he said, swallowing. “I want to trust this.”

“You can,” I told him. “Trust us. Trust me. I know I haven’t earned that yet, but I’m going to. I promise.”

Daniel nodded, blinking back wetness. He swallowed hard, seeming momentarily unable to speak.

Lee’s eyes filled with more warmth and devotion than I’d ever seen in them before. He looked from Daniel to me and then back again, a mix of wonder and softness on his face.

“For the record,” he said slowly. “Even though someone has obviously body-snatched Hunter, I’m the happiest I’ve ever been, too.” His eyes danced when they locked with Daniel’s. “Even with my many, many injuries.” He grinned and then added, “To be honest, I’m pretty sure they’d heal faster if you kissed them better.”

“Nice try,” Daniel said thickly, shaking his head ruefully at Lee and smiling. “But you need rest.”

“Seconded,” I said firmly. Then I beamed at my twin. “Who’s getting ganged up on now?”

“Me, hopefully,” Daniel said brightly, while Lee scowled back at me playfully. Then, when we both looked over at him with sudden interest, he amended that to, “Tomorrow, though. Tonight is for rest, recovery, and very big feelings, apparently.”

Lee laughed again and then winced. Seeing his happiness—and Daniel’s—made my heart feel freer than it ever had before.

Could this really all be so simple? So easy?

“I want this,” Daniel said quietly, reaching across Lee with his free hand and taking mine, so all three of us were holding hands. “I’ll always want this.”

“Me too,” I promised, meeting both of their gazes in turn, before locking eyes with Daniel. “I’ll always want this, too.”

CHAPTER FIFTEEN || LEE

Over the next four days, we settled into a routine. Hunter, Daniel, and I did practically everything together. My injuries from our encounter with the monsters healed quickly, though my ribs stayed sore for days afterward.

And Daniel did, indeed, kiss it better. It, among other things.

The morning after we encountered the monsters, Hunter conscripted me to help him carry Arden’s old bedframe and mattress from his cabin, where we replaced our jury-rigged arrangement with a bed large enough to accommodate all three of us, with room to spare. When I asked my twin about it, his expression darkened and he said it was Reed’s idea.

Well, that was interesting. Though, I was sure Reed and Harris were both relieved to know that Hunter, Daniel, and I were all getting along better. Much better, in fact.

The three of us had a nice time breaking the bed in.

A change had come over Hunter and Daniel both. Hunter had become less sullen. His eyes were filled with happiness, and playfulness had become his default instead of defensiveness.

And Daniel had stopped apologizing every two minutes. He lost his perpetually haunted expression altogether. Each day, he seemed more himself, less guarded. In fact, he was almost indistinguishable from the man he’d been before we’d all arrived in Crescent Springs. As if the past two years hadn’t happened at all.

Our shared dreams had changed as well. The three of us started exploring the landscape. And we didn’t experience any further interruptions. The dreams were just ordinary mate dreams—though still remarkable—and not prophecies of the future.

Despite hunting a new breed of monster—a terrifying and dangerous sort—things had become almost… normal.

Besides, knowing the monsters couldn’t stand light meant attacks during the daytime were extremely unlikely, so all of us caught most of our sleep during the morning and afternoon, when we weren’t helping Daniel with research meant to narrow down the monsters. Sarah was helping too, but in Emma’s cabin. Thus far, she hadn’t experienced any magical flare-ups, but none of us were taking any chances with Daniel’s safety.