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Leven reclined, my hand falling into my lap. “I doubt she’d listen. Most in power are stubborn asmules.”
I burst out laughing. “Shit yeah. I mean”—I straightened my back, lifting my chin and putting on my best serious voice—“why yes, I agree most heartedly, fine gentleman.” I supposed I’d better practice to see if I could blend in, no matter what Leven had said. I had a feeling they were biased after everything we’d been through so far. Plus, they weren’t like anyone in power I’d metbefore.
Leven chuckled. “Is that your royalimpersonation?”
I slouched. “It sucks,right?”
“I prefer you as you are,” Ashsaid.
“You’re such a sweet-talker. All of you are.” My voice caught in my throat, and I admired the way they smiled at me, as if everything in the world was perfect. And part of me wished so desperately that it would turn out that way for all of us. “If I had to choose between the four of you, I’m not sure I ever could pick justone.”
“Who said you had to select just one?” Leven shuffled to the edge of his seat, his hands on my knees, and a trickle of warmth raced up my thighs. It suddenly got hot in thecarriage.
“What do you mean? Do bear shifters have more than onemate?”
“Doesn’t everyone?” Leven asked, his expression deadlyserious.
My mouth must have fallen open. “Are you teasing me?” Because I wouldn’t have put it past any of the men to make me believe something and then make a joke of it. “Ha, you’re so funny, thinking I’mgullible.”
“You don’t get it, Bee,” Ash said, his hand on my lap. “We’ve met so many people, and you’re the first who’s genuine. But it’s more than that. You’re honest, and you’re risking your life for us. Who does that for just anyone thesedays?”
At first, I sat there, swallowed by an inferno. I shouldn’t have been attracted to any of the princes, yet I was drawn to each one. But all I was doing was setting myself up to fail. “I have a few friends back home who would do that forme.”
Leven patted my leg and sat back. “Hold on to them. If they’re anything like you, you’relucky.”
Someone tapped the carriage from outside and we came to a halt. I looked outside the window to a forest. “Are wethere?”
“This is where Ash and I get off,” Levensaid.
“Already?” My breaths came in wheezing pants. I wasn’t ready to tackle meeting other bear shifters or pretend to be a caretaker. What if I panicked? What if someone detected I didmagic?
Leven inclined toward me, his hands on my cheeks, and drew me to him. “I promise to do everything in my power to protect you. Just like my brothers mean the world to me, you have wiggled yourself into my heart.” His mouth pressed to mine, and my brain sloshed from his sudden movement, but I held on to his arms, returning the kiss. Soft, passionate, andunyielding.
He stole my breath, and I drew him closer, unable to get close enough. Like with Ash, the unease in my gut unraveled, filling me with warmth and a readiness to take over theworld.
Leven pulled back and licked his lips. “I’ll see you soon,Bee.”
“Be careful.” My voice was breathless, yet there was a tightness in my chest at the fact that he wasleaving.
He lifted my hand to his mouth. “I’d do anything for you.” He hopped out of thecarriage.
“Everyone’s so sentimental today,” Talin said, sitting back, arms folded across his stomach, watching with amusement. Was he jealous or truly put off by how sweet his brothers were tome?
Ash shifted between us and made his way out. He took my hand and kneeled on one leg in front of me. “If anything happens to you, I’ll tear the White Peak forest apart to find and make the person who harmed yousuffer.”
His words had me grinning, and when he kissed me, my body lit on fire. I remembered our time in the library, an experience that would remain with me for eternity. Now, tingles and desire claimed me, and swirls of emotions made me gasp. When he stepped back, I missed himalready.
“Won’t be long until we see each other again.” He left the carriage and closed the door behind him. I was left with an inferno inside from theirkisses.
Each one made me crave them as if we were going on a first date. But these were four brothers. Surely, they didn’t want to be with the same girl? Or was Leven kissing me a reassurance to keep his bear side under control? Yes, that had to be the reason. Then why had he stared at me as if he’d been ready to rip off my dress and devour me? And Leven’s words about not needing to select just one partner twirled in my head. Except I suspected he’d been teasingme.
I exchanged a glance with Talin who hadn’t stopped looking my way with a strange expression I couldn’t quiteread.
When the carriage took off again, I stared out at Leven and Ash, who were sending us off with smiles. I collapsed back into the seat, Talin moving next to me and wrapping an arm around my shoulders, holding me against hisside.
“They truly care for you. We alldo.”
I chewed on my lower lip, emotions tugging me in a dozen different directions. And letting my emotions about the princes blossom into anything but this simple attraction was insanity. I didn’t belong in their world, and I had Dad to look after. My life, my friends. If we survived, they would return to ruling their realm, and Talin would find a bear shifter wife, probably followed by each of the brothers shortlythereafter.
This small stint was a job. And I had to remind myself not to fall head over heels for men who were out of my league. Once I got us untangled from one another, I’d hightail it out of White Peak and never come back. But as I curled in on myself and stared out at the passing landscape, I wasn’t sure I was ready to leave them yet—or if I ever wouldbe.
