Page 23 of Cheating Fate

“He’ll take you from us and become the most important male in your life,” Vahl said stubbornly. “We get it. It’s the normal cycle of life. Knowing that doesn’t make us hate it any less.”

“You guys are thinking this all wrong. Love isn’t finite. It doesn’t come in limited quantities. Does mother love Dad less because of Papa? Does she love them less because of us?”

“It’s not the same,” he argued in a self-evident manner.

“It’s exactly the same!” I countered in an imperious tone. “Me falling in love with my soulmate will not make me stop loving you, our siblings, or our parents. You’re my twin, for crying out loud! No one can ever take your place in my heart. Keep in mind that we’re not leaving for Braxia. Gavin left his family and everything he has ever known to move here to be with me. He’s joining the Sentinels. That should be a major relief to all of you. But even if we did move to his Quadrant, that still should not be a reason for you guys interfering. If you say you love me this much, you should support my happiness, not attempt to destroy it for your selfish reasons.”

He heaved a sigh, and his shoulders slouched. I hated the defeated look on his face.

“I know all of that. Believe me, I’ve told myself as much for weeks—months even—as the day of his arrival drew closer. I can’t help that I’m a jealous moron. I resent that he’ll become your priority and that he’ll have all of your time. But I do love you and want you to be happy. As much as I hate it, the fact that he’s your soulmate cannot be denied.”

I stiffened, and my eyes flicked between his, searching. “What makes you say that?” I asked, an ugly suspicion blossoming deep within.

He gave me a sheepish look and shifted uneasily on his feet. “You and he are perfectly attuned.”

“You saw him?! You talked to him?!” I exclaimed, outraged.

He grimaced and nodded. “Yeah. It was only for a few seconds. He was pretty pissed at us for whisking you away and hurt that he didn’t get to see you. But your man is no pushover. He also accurately predicted that you would be mad.”

“I can’t believe Rhad took you there without me!” I growled.

“We shouldn’t have been there,” he countered in a defensive tone. “If we had brought you, you wouldn’t have wanted to leave until enough time passed that we all got in trouble. Yeah, I was curious. But I also wanted to let him know what was happening. I knew Father wouldn’t have told him, and I was right.”

Despite my annoyance, I was grateful he had at least given Gavin that peace of mind.

“We should head out,” I grumbled. “Sohr will kick our butts if we’re late.”

Once again, when I tried to circle around him, Vahl blocked my path. I gave him a ‘What the fuck?’ look. He didn’t speak a word but simply raised his index finger next to my right cheek. I swatted his hand away, giving him a disbelieving look that he would even think I would let him poke my dimple.

Ever since we were toddlers, Vahl had made it a habit of poking the dimples Rhadames and I inherited from our sire, Lhor. It was his way of saying I love you or of displaying affection. Whenever we had a fight, us allowing him to poke our dimples was proof that he was forgiven, and that we were ready to bury the hatchet.

I swatted his hand again and glared at him some more only for him to make the cutest, most pathetic pitiful face, like a wounded animal. I couldn’t decide if I wanted to burst out laughing more than I wanted to punch him in the throat. The wretch even had the nerve to make the most heart wrenching whining sound as he once more brought his index finger next to my cheek. I almost slapped his hand again but remained still with my eyes shooting daggers at him.

He shamelessly batted his eyelashes at me while carefully bringing his finger closer until it settled in my dimple. The widest smile illuminated his face, then the look of pure love in his eyes messed me up. As much as he pissed me off sometimes. I truly loved my brother. The Goddess had blessed me with the best siblings in the universe.

I scrunched my face, unwilling to fully let him off the hook.

“You’re annoying as fuck,” I muttered.

He beamed at me while dropping his hand. “Wrong brother. I’m obnoxious. Tharek is the annoying one.”

I burst out laughing and nodded. Tharek was indeed the king of all brats.

“I love you, Zha,” Vahl said affectionately once we both sobered.

“I love you, too,” I said semi-begrudgingly.

He smiled and drew me into his embrace. I returned his hug, my lingering aggravation with him melting away. We could never stay mad at each other for long.

“Now, can we go do that freaking mission already?” I mumbled when he released me.

He chuckled, nodded, and waved his hand in a dramatic gesture inviting me to lead the way. I made a face at him and walked out of the room.

“By the way, that mate of yours is quite the beast,” Vahl said teasingly as he shadowed me.

I immediately perked up and gave him a sideways glance burning with curiosity. “He’s tall and massive, right?”

My brother nodded. “He’s not as gigantic as Uncle Ravik, but he sure puts Ghan to shame.”