Chapter 13 #2
“I am sorry,” I say, looking between Lark and Rafe. “I am sorry that I brought you here. That I made you follow my foolish dream.” I turn to Atlas. “Please release them, I beg you. I will do anything you desire.”
Rafe’s growl is every bit as animalistic as Lark’s was.
I silence him with a hand on his arm. “This is not your quest. This is mine. And I forced you both to come.”
“Forced?” Rafe glares at me. “When did you force me, lass?”
My cheeks heat. The three griffins are right there, standing and watching us.
I have this sick feeling they’re going to separate us, and I might never get the chance to say these words again, so I force them out in a rush.
“I threatened you,” I say. My gaze shifts to Lark.
“Both of you. I threatened to tell my sister, and she would have had you punished. You had no choice in any of this. Oh, this is all my fault.”
“Lass, I’m a grown man of mature years. No woman, highborn or otherwise, forced me to do any damn thing.”
“Damn right,” Lark mutters. “We wanted this.” He glares with meaning at our audience. “And now is not the fucking time.”
“Then when is the time?” I demand, reeling from the unexpected vehemence of their words. “They’re going to separate us… That’s why they’re here. Maybe I won’t get another chance to tell you how I feel.”
Atlas doesn’t dispute my words about separating us. Was I hoping he would? The other two are stoic as well, simply watching us.
“Somewhere along the journey I fell in love with you,” I forge on, cheeks burning. “And I’m sorry, because love should not be born of force. I have no right to love you. Just as I had no right to bring you here with me. I was selfish.”
“Damnit, woman, if you think we’re both not moonstruck by you, then you’re as daft in the head as Lark is.”
“I’m right here,” Lark grumbles.
“You love me?” I say slowly, wonder filling me, curdling with the fear for what will come next.
Rafe shrugs, a faint flush creeping over his cheeks.
“So you made some threats that day? I could tell right off you were a sweet woman with a good heart. No way you’d run off and get us punished.
And what was to stop us lying to you? Playing along with your demand and then cutting out?
Plenty of places where good soldiers can find work.
As for Lark, he made his own decision too.
We came because we were halfway in love with you that first day.
Everything after only made us fall more deeply…
Then your heat came. And if we weren’t already gone for you, that sealed our fate.
” He swallows thickly and cuts a glare at Atlas.
“We’re not alphas, and we can never be true mates to you.
Yet we’re already bound. And if what we’ve shared thus far is all we shall have with you, I will cherish it. ”
His fingers touch my cheek briefly, bittersweet and lingering with love. When I look at Lark, his eyes hold the same intensity, and he nods.
My eyes slide back to Atlas. They shift briefly to Fenix at his left, and then to Darrion on his right.
They are huge, intimidating males. They want me.
I can see the hunger burning in their eyes, raw and barely leashed.
A coiling sensation manifests low in my belly, shame mixing with an ache, and taunting me that I want this too.
I shouldn’t feel this for them when they hurt the men I love, tossed us in here and watched them rut me through my heat.
“You will begin your training today,” Atlas says ominously.
“All of you. Violet will have her own duties. Rafe and Lark will have training appropriate for them. Of an evening, you may return here, and be together. None shall interfere. Not my pride members nor any humans living within the eyrie. But the viewing windows will always remain open. Until I decree otherwise, this is your home.”
“Training? What sort of training?” I demand.
He holds out his hand to me. “Everything is done out of necessity. No lasting harm shall come of it. It is my firm belief that by the time the training is complete, we shall all find enlightenment. But know also that you are ours now—all of you, part of the pride. I believe the Goddess herself sent you to us. Leaving is not an option for any of you.”
Rafe makes a scoffing noise. Lark growls.
Atlas’s hand is still held out, expectantly. “Do not mistake my civility in explaining this as weakness,” he says coldly. “I would prefer this transition to be as gentle as possible, but if battling is necessary, rest assured, I will not hesitate.”
Lark is still growling. I cannot bear for them to fight. Our capture has already made it clear that we have no chance, and aggression will, as Atlas pointed out, be met with greater aggression.
“Please. We need to trust them.” I cup Rafe’s face first, my fingers lingering against his warm skin, before I do the same for Lark.
The potency of the emotions brings a sting to the back of my eyes as I plead for them to see reason, that it would hurt me to see them hurt. “I will be with you of an evening.”
“What if he lies?” Rafe rumbles.
“Our Pride Leader does not lie,” Fenix says, brashly.
“Battling is still an option,” Lark says, glaring at him.
I want to roll my eyes. Goddess save me from pigheaded males!
Darrion smirks, but at a look from Atlas, it drops.
Atlas’s hand is still held out, waiting; his eyes are on me.
“I shall see you both this eve. Please. If you care about me, do not make me watch them hurt you again. I cannot bear it.”
A tick thumps in Lark’s jaw.
He nods. He is not happy about it.
Rafe inclines his head in acquiescence, too.
And then, although my entire body is gripped by tension, I take the few steps until I stand before Atlas. His wings suddenly snap into existence, creating a shadow over us.
I accept his hand.
That touch ignites a spark against my skin.
My eyes lift and slam into his.
The faintest curve of his lips.
“I am proud of you, little red. Proud to receive your trust. Know that I shall honor it. Now, come, we have much to do.”