Epilogue #2
The Kings all straightened, smug as sin, waiting for my answer. My stomach twisted—not from nerves, but from the thrill of the game. Three sets of beautiful eyes dared me to choose. Typical brothers.
As if I would honestly ever choose. The beauty of our relationship was that I didn’t have to. A plan formed within the space of three seconds.
“Fine,” I said finally, tapping a finger against my chin like I was deep in thought. “Let’s see…”
I let the silence stretch, drawing it out because I could. My heart raced, my mind skipping along with it. “The Reaper gave me the best present—”
“Damn right I did,” he exclaimed.
“This here,” I tugged lightly at the small gem portion that rested against my throat. “Grounds me in a way nothing has, but not only that…”
My eyes shifted to Isabella, and a tiny pang of hurt went through my chest at the look of confusion on her face. She shifted and then cleared her throat. She was wildly uncomfortable, but I knew she wouldn’t let on as to why.
If you can heal, so can she. Give it time. At least you have each other.
I knew I’d have to explain it later for her to fully understand. She loved me enough to accept it, and that was good enough for now.
Lifting my eyes to my Reaper King, I basked in the love staring back at me. “It deepened our trust and signifies a special type of freedom. Something that can only be found with someone who has taught you that running isn’t the answer.”
For a moment, the entire room softened. Even Chef’s body relaxed. Then I turned to Nikolai. My lips curved into a sheepish smile, and a flush covered my face at the one he returned.
“And you, my green-eyed devil King, unlocked a piece of my soul I didn’t even know was trapped. You wrapped me in silken rope, worshiped every inch of me in such reverence that I can still feel the binds that tie us.”
“I told you it was an art form, tiny tot,” Sebastian said quietly before winking at Nik, who beamed.
His chest was puffed, and he stood tall between his two brothers. His emerald eyes danced wickedly and made my heart catch.
“Your gift also deepened our trust and signified freedom. With you, I never have to fear a thing. I will cherish the memory forever.”
God, I was the luckiest woman alive. I’d die on that hill for all eternity.
Nik’s grin softened, the usual mischief fading from his eyes. He stepped closer, his voice dipping into that low, velvety register that always felt like a caress. “Moya doo-SHA pree-nah-LEE-zheet te-BYE, DET-ka. Pa-KA ya dy-SHOO — ty ma-YA.
His thumb brushed my lower lip. “For my non-Russian speaking friends, I said, my soul belongs to you, baby girl. As long as I breath—you are mine.”
As he spoke the translation, his eyes never left mine. A sniffle sounded behind me, and his head jerked up. Mine followed, and Sophia was wiping her eyes. Christopher, who’d come in at some point, was holding her.
Nik stepped back, his gaze lingering for a moment longer before he turned away. For a heartbeat, I just stood there, breathing him in even as he walked back to his station.
My pulse refused to settle. The air felt charged, alive with everything we hadn’t said. And then, my eyes lifted—drawn as if by gravity—to Ivan.
There wasn’t an ounce of cockiness like the Reaper had shown. No trace of mischief or wicked delight like the Crow. No, staring back at me, heat curling low and sure between us, was my sweet, gentle giant.
“And you, Sir…” I trailed off, my voice softer now as I crossed the room toward him.
“Well, I can’t talk about what transpired between us because words wouldn’t adequately describe it.
It was sacred. You’ve always given me freedom.
Allowed me to be myself. And to say that our trust deepened, would be an understatement. ”
My throat tightened as the air between us sparked. My beloved’s lips curved. It was bashful, and a slight flush colored his cheeks.
“We never need words, do we, little love?” he murmured, lifting a hand to my face and caressing it.
The presence of Alek and Nik was strong, winding around us, like it always did when there was vulnerability on the table. Unity and something close to pride radiated from them in waves.
I reached for them, my heart swelling with love and affection. I brought them closer, so we formed a semicircle.
Alek huffed a quiet laugh, shaking his head. “I’m thinking we’re screwed and didn’t win, Crow.” His tone carried warmth.
Nik’s dimple flashed, and my breath caught in my throat. “Screwed? Nice choice of words, Brother. I say, we’re blessed. But I’ll admit—the fact she’s about to name the freaking baby the winner, is making me crave a drink first.”
“A drink huh? You’re being silly,” I caressed his tattoo and then raised my eyes to meet theirs. “Each and every one of you has touched me in ways that are seared into me, forever.”
“You taking notes, Dancer,” Bash drawled, elbowing Pasha.
Pasha snorted under his breath, muttering loud enough to be heard, “Yeah, clearly I’m in need of some classes or something. I don’t think any woman has ever said those words to me.”
“Yeah, and mine’s not gonna,” Alek barked. “Remember you had your chance.”
That jealousy of his made a real quick comeback. Laughter rippled through the room, lightening the mood.
Marcel, sensing my imminent emotional outburst, stepped in. “Alright, little pixie, what’s the verdict?”
I blinked back the sting in my eyes and smiled. “Easy, Counselor. They all win.”
Alek frowned, folding his arms. “That’s not how competitions work, kitten. We’re all grown men. We can take it.”
“I beg to differ. Competitions can absolutely have a tie,” I countered. “And I’m the judge, so I say there will be no need for a tiebreaker. You three gave me exactly the same thing—just in different forms. You gave me pieces of myself back, and that makes all of you equal in my eyes.”
Ivan’s brow arched, Nik chuckled low in his throat, and Alek relented. He shook his head, and I saw a flash of amusement tugging at his lips.
“You little shit,” Ivan said, half-growl, half-laugh. “Stacked the deck just like you said you would.”
“Of course I did.” I grinned. “A girl’s gotta know how to play the long game.”
Nik tilted his head, curiosity dancing in his eyes. “And what exactly does the winner—or winners—get, baby girl?”
“Well, the original option on the table was one of you was a playroom adventure if I’m not mistaken. But what do we think about the four of us,” I paused, my pulse quickening as the words left my mouth. I traced my sock covered toe on the marble flooring as my nerves settled in.
“She’s doing it again,” Nik chuckled. “Why you nervous, baby girl?”
“I’m not, more afraid you’ll say no. But the Blade says I can have exactly what I want so, here goes nothing. I want the four of us to do a little role-playing. I decide each of your parts. I get to orchestrate the whole thing.”
Alek’s brows shot up. “You’re serious?”
“So serious it’s not even funny.”
Nik leaned forward, voice low and teasing. “And where are we playing, hmm, naughty girl?”
I bit my lip, letting the silence stretch just long enough before answering, “Why, the playroom, of course. The best room in the house, if you ask me.”
I shrugged, trying to look innocent and failing spectacularly.
Isabella mock-gagged from across the counter. “Of course you would ask for that. Why on earth my best friend has to be this way is beyond me.”
Sebastian raised a hand like a kid answering roll call. “You need help with the setup? Because I’m free. Always free to assist.”
Pasha groaned. “Yeah, I for real need those classes. Blade, pencil me in between gym sessions.”
Chef Bonfils made a scandalized sound that could’ve curdled cream. “Les Anglaises folles.” The crazy English woman.
“You mean, la folle russe, Chef,” I said. The crazy Russian woman.
Sophia laughed so hard she had to hold on to Christopher for balance. I couldn’t stop smiling. Standing in the middle of this chaos, I felt like I’d stumbled into a dream. The teasing, the joy, the love that filled the room…it was everything I’d ever wanted.
Healing had to look something like this. It just had to. Messy. Loud, and covered in family and love.