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I open the door and feel heat rise to my cheeks as Kastian’s ocean eyes stare back at me.Ohshit—what’s he doing here?
His eyes drink me in, flicking down and then back up. My eyes do the same. I’m bracing myself for him to freak out like he did when he found out about me drinking from Wren, but he’s surprisingly calm.
Rune steps behind me and wraps a possessive arm around my chest.
I glance up and find him glaring daggers at Kastian. One look at my Eostrix tells me the feeling is one hundred percent mutual.
I clear my throat, hoping to end this awful tension.
“Kastian, what brings you to my room?” Rune leans his head down and rests his chin on my shoulder. Gods, I have no fucking idea how this situation is going to pan out. He didn’t seem particularly pleased after Kastian and I had mind-blowing sex at the hot springs either. But I’m not sure if it’s because he’s jealous that someone else was getting my attention or that he didn’t get to join in… Gods.
“Violet has business to see to. I have the day to do as I choose and I wanted to see you.” Kastian’s voice is soft as he speaks to me. I’m still unsure about all of this, but my heart takes the leap because I can’t keep my feelings a secret, not with them.
“Rune’s coming too then.” I don’t ask—I make sure it’s perfectly clear.
His blue eyes flash at me with jealousy but he quickly straightens himself, nodding. “Okay… Why?”
I bite my lower lip. This was a lot easier to say to Arulius.
“I just… I’m not choosing.” He raises his brow and flicks a glance to Rune, then back to me. Fuck, how do I say this… “I want… all of you.”
His eyes widen, I wouldn’t say with judgment, but maybe surprise?
“All?”
I swallow, looking down at my feet and grabbing the edge of my wing to fiddle with anxiously. “Well… You, Rune…” I look at Kastian and he doesnotlook impressed, but doesn’t look like he’s shocked, given that I’m in the Dreadius’s shirt. “Wren…”
A small gasp leaves his lips. “I’m sorry, did you sayWren?Since when did you two—”
“And Arulius.” I spit it out because I know this one will take the cake.
Kastian’s ebony wings flex at the golden Eostrix’s name and he clenches his fists tightly at his sides. I hold my ground and stare at him with everything I have.
“Elodie—you are anEostrix. I understand your blood-aversion curse, but Wren and Arulius? One broke your wing and the other… We don’t need to talk about whathedid.”
I cross my arms and look up at Rune for support. He doesn’t owe me a godsdamn thing but he always has my back—even with this.
My Dreadius nods at me and smiles. He’s always on my side.
“Wren has always been there for me. Sure, he’s violent and has major issues, but there’s good in him. You know it too. We aren’t the same wounded people we were over half a year ago.” I hesitate for a moment, thinking of how I could possibly defend Arulius. I know Arulius is a stretch, I get it. He’s caused so much pain and suffering… but I long for him nonetheless. It hurts more to not love him than it does to give into it. I’m still not sure I’ll ever forgive him, but I know that my heart is working overtime to patch those parts of my soul.
“You’re seriously going to forgive him for murdering you and Margo?”
Margo… I’ll never forgive him for that. But he thought I was Talia. His wrath wasn’t for me.
It was for another love.
“He told me his side of the story. I don’t know if I’ll ever fully forgive him, but I still love him, Kastian.”
He lets out a long, weary sigh and drags his hand over his face, like I’ve ruined all his plans. “Elodie. He and Violet are thevillains,remember? They’re the bad guys who kidnapped you, who killed everyone we’ve lost, who are trying to stop the Rhythm.”
I open my mouth to argue, but he shouts as he throws his fist against the doorframe, making me flinch. I tighten my hands at my side.
“Everyone,Elodie! They’reall dead. Borvon died, Talia died, you died, I fucking died as a child in the human realm and suffered alone here for most of my life. Does that mean anything to you? How could you fall for their shit again so easily?”
I grit my teeth as tears fill my eyes and Rune steps in front of me, baring his teeth at my dark-winged Eostrix.
Kastian clenches his jaw and tries to compose himself, running a hand through his white hair.
