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“I…Ijust…”Celiashook her head and couldn’t go on.
Howcould she say that they’d made her admit something out loud what she hadn’t even admitted to herself up until now?Thatshe was withPeterbecause he wanted her for herself—he wanted to marry her, not just use her for sex as other men would be happy to do if she’d let them.Hisproposal had meant the world to her for that fact alone and she was willing to put up with everything else because of it.Becausehewantedher.
Butwhydoes he want you?whispered a little voice in her head.Why, when all he ever does is criticize and tell you to lose weight or change your outfit or change your hair?Whatis your true value toPeter?
Celiahonestly couldn’t answer that—which only made her cry harder.
Holdnever said anything, he just cradled her close to his chest and after a little while, she feltFiercejoin in the embrace, hugging her from behind and pressing his broad chest to her trembling back.
Beingnaked between them had become almost normal now andCeliafound herself comforted by the way the twins held her.Itwas like she was something special and infinitely precious—a person to be cherished and cared for and treated with respect.
Ormaybe she was reading too much into it, but it feltgood.Shewas surrounded by their warmth and their caring and their big, muscular bodies felt wonderful against her own.Itoccurred to her that she had never felt little and protected this way whenPeterhugged her.Andhe’d never let her cry on his shoulder either.Whenevershe got sad—which wasn’t very often—he got restless and handed her a tissue.
“Darling, do try to dry it up,” he’d say to her. “Noone likes a mopey woman.Tryto put on a cheerful face—will you?”
ButHoldandFiercedidn’t ask her to “put on a cheerful face” and neither of them got restless or irritated with her.Theyjust letCeliacry until at last the tears had run their course and she was able to swipe at her eyes and take a long, trembling breath without sobbing.
“Thankyou,” she said to both of them. “I…I’msorryIcried all over you but thank you for being nice about it.”
“Yourpain is our pain, my lady.Thatis what it means to be mated to aKindredwarrior—or warriors,”Holdtold her.Hecupped her cheek in one hand and swiped at her tears with his thumb. “Ithink you’re warm enough now—maybe we should all get up and have something to eat?It’sprobably about time forLastMealnow.”
Surprisingly,Celiadidfeel hungry.Shenodded at once.
“Allright—Icould eat.”
“Icould too,”Fiercegrowled. “Whatdid you pack us?”
“Justsome protein bars and some fruit,I’mafraid,”Holdsaid apologetically. “Icouldn’t fit a rehydrator in the pack.”
“That’sall right—I’mso fucking hungryI’lleat anything right now,”Fiercegrowled. “Comeon—get out the pack and let’s eat!”
21
CELIA
Thethree of them sat up—they couldn’t stand in the low, silver dome of the tent but they could sit quite easily, even the tall twins.
“I’llturn up the lights so we can see what we’re eating,”Holdsaid, butCeliastopped him.
“Wait—canIplease put on my clothes first?” she pleaded. “Idon’t feel shy when we’re in the dark andIknow you two can’t see me but—”
“Can’tsee you?Ofcoursewe can see you!”Fierceinterrupted.
“What?”Celiacrossed her arms over her breasts. “Allthis time you could see me?Eventhough it’s so dark in here?”
“Kindredhave excellent night vision, my lady,”Holdsaid apologetically. “I’mafraid all of your own clothing is still wet—I’llgo out and put a dryer on it in a moment.Inthe meantime, maybe you’d like to wear some of our clothes?Fierce—give her your thermal shirt.”
“Sure.”TheDarkTwinfumbled around in the darkness and then handedCeliathe long-sleeved shirt he’d been wearing earlier.Itwas made of what felt like extremely thin and delicate silk.
“Idon’t see how anything this thin could keep you warm,”Celiaremarked, even as she turned her back to them to slip it over her head.
“It’smade of a special silk that holds in body heat,”Holdtold her. “Justput it on—you’ll see.It’snot as insulating as a warm suit, but it works quite well.”
Celiafinished pulling it over her head and looked down at herself.TheDarkTwin’sshirt was so big on her she could wear it like a dress—the hem fell to her mid-thighs and she had to roll up the sleeves several times to use her hands.Butat least she was covered…well,sortof.
BecausewhenHoldturned up the portable glow light at the top of the tent’s silver dome, she looked down and realized that the thin, pale green silk was clinging obscenely to every curve.Itshowed not just the points of her nipples but the rings of her areolas as well.
“MadredeDios!”Celiamuttered to herself, tugging at the shirt to try and keep it from molding to her body so blatantly.Butthere seemed to be a static cling type situation happening because no matter how much she tugged, it always stuck to her again like glue the minute she let go of it.
