Chapter 20
Niko
“How long was she there?” I scramble to my feet with all the poise of a baby fawn. Evidence of Zephyr’s orgasm still coats my lips and chin, so I grab my discarded shirt to wipe it off, not missing the scowl on Zephyr’s face.
“I was a bit too preoccupied to notice,” he says, deadpan. Despite his rough exterior, he’s never been able to hide his true emotions from me. Even before the bond. There’s anger that we got interrupted, but something else. Something that feels a lot like intrigue.
Did he like being watched?
“We need to speak with her.” I grab my pants, still crumpled by the edge of the bed, and pull them on. Deciding against my now-stained shirt, I head to the connecting door to rush after Evangeline when a hand on my wrist stops me.
“Is it wise to speak with her so soon?” Zephyr lets my wrist drop back to my side once he has my attention.
I angle my head to see him better. He’s still naked, and it’s fucking distracting.
Abs cut from stone, powerful thighs that make my breath hitch.
And a heavy cock that bobs between his legs, still half hard, despite what just transpired between us.
His dick is shiny with my saliva, where, mere seconds ago, he was fucking my mouth with abandon.
So fucking distracting.
“I’m not going to let Evangeline think we’re upset with her,” I snarl, voice low and firm.
In truth, a sharp satisfaction hums in my chest knowing she saw us together—me and Zephyr, tangled in intimacy.
My betrothed, witnessing that bond with her own eyes.
It’s not meant to hurt her but to open her eyes.
I don’t want jealousy festering between us; I want understanding, maybe even curiosity.
My hope is that it leads to more.
Zephyr claims he has no desire to pursue her, but I still hold on to the hope he’ll change his mind.
I want Evangeline not just for myself, but for us—for him.
She could be good for Zephyr in ways he doesn’t yet see.
In ways not even I can be. And if she sees us together, sees our connection, maybe it will spark something—bridge the distance between them.
The more time we all spend together, the more likely they’ll fall for each other. That’s what I want. That’s the endgame.
It always has been.
Zephyr gives a curt nod, allowing me to go without further argument.
As I head toward the connecting door, he pulls on pants, and soft footfalls follow behind me, mimicking my own.
I half expect to find resistance when I turn the knob, but the door swings wide open, meaning Evangeline didn’t—or didn't know she could—lock it.
“Evangeline?” My voice breaks through the quiet. A soft rustling from the opposite side of the room catches my attention. I zero in on the bed, seeing a moving lump in the middle.
Without waiting for an invitation, I walk in. “Evangeline,” I say again, making my way toward the bed. The lump in the center moves to the side, and I perch at the end of the mattress, feeling Zephyr’s warm body move behind me. “Can we speak, sweet Chef?”
The lump doesn’t move at first, but I’m nothing if not a patient man. I waited for Zephyr to realize we were mates for far longer than I wish to admit, but it paid off in the end. Evangeline needs to know I’m not letting this go. I will wait this out for as long as I need to.
Just as I expected, after a few moments and the growing realization I’m not leaving, Evangeline slowly peeks out from beneath the covers.
Her wide eyes land on Zephyr and me, still standing close, both of us half dressed.
Her cheeks flush a deep crimson, but it isn’t just embarrassment that flickers in her gaze.
There’s curiosity there. Heat. Despite the shyness in her expression, her eyes linger, trailing over us with a quiet intensity that makes the air feel heavier. Tighter.
“We should talk.”
“I’m sorry.”
We speak at the same time, cutting through some of the thick tension. A ghost of a smile flashes across her face before her gaze promptly drops to her hands in her lap. “Let me go first.”
I nod, giving her the freedom to speak her mind.
Evangeline takes in a deep breath, like she’s preparing herself for battle.
Next to me, Zephyr crosses his arms, leaning against the bedpost. Though he appears unfazed, I sense his displeasure—not with my betrothed, but the unease growing between the three of us.
It’s not like he’s helping the situation by being stone-cold.
“I feel so terrible for what I did—”
“You don’t need to be—”
Evangeline puts up her hand, silencing my protest. “Please, let me finish.” Reluctantly, I nod. “I should have left the moment I saw the two of you….as you were.” She blushes, averting her gaze. “That was an extreme breach of privacy, and I swear it won’t happen again.”
“Oh, little human,” Zephyr drawls with a smirk tugging at his lips. “It will definitely happen again.”
Evangeline’s mouth parts in shock, words caught on her tongue. But before she can speak, Zephyr pushes off the post with deliberate ease and closes the distance between them, his voice dropping just enough to make her shiver.
“This is our reality,” his eyes lock on hers, “of our people having more than one mate.”
“I don’t want that. I don’t want to come between you. I…I will still help you, but I can’t ruin a relationship. I refuse.” Evangeline stubbornly holds her head high. Not many people could look Zephyr in the eyes and argue with him, which further proves she is the woman for us. For him.
“That’s not how this works, darling. If we want to have any chance of saving our kingdom, then you must mate with Niko.
” He’s standing close to her, leaning down so their faces hover just inches from one another.
Just a little closer and his lips would brush hers.
My body chooses this time to stiffen, hardening at the thought of the two of them together.
It is a fight I refuse to give up on.
Evangeline frowns. “But not you, right?”
And just like that, the tension in the room is suffocating. Anger, doubt, and something akin to sadness passes through the bond, none of the feelings my own. Zephyr’s carefully curated walls have weakened, pulling me in more than he probably wants.
Straightening, Zephyr backs away, donning his usual mask. “But not me,” he agrees, resuming his lean against the bedpost as if he’s in charge of keeping it upright.
Unspoken questions flicker across Evangeline’s face, written in the crease of her brow and the slight parting of her lips. I know what she wants to ask, and I know exactly where those questions would lead: to Zephyr’s parents. A conversation he’s not ready to have. Not yet. One step at a time.
Instead, I gently reach for her hand, threading my fingers through hers. The moment our skin touches, her attention shifts to me, the storm in her eyes quieting as she anchors herself in the present—anchoring herself in us.
Good.
“I won’t lie to you, Evangeline. This arrangement won’t always be easy. There’s no right way to go about this, but I need to make myself abundantly clear. I’m not upset you saw us.”
“But—”
“I’m not upset because you are both my mates.
” I ignore her protest. “And there’s nothing I want more than my mates seeking their pleasure in whatever way they can get it.
Let me ask you a question.” I pause, and she gives her consent for me to continue.
“Were you jealous of Zephyr and me? Did you feel betrayed?”
Evangeline opens her mouth, presumably to argue, but then closes it. She seems to consider the question, really consider my words. I wait with bated breath until she finally reveals her answer. With an almost imperceptible head shake, she whispers, “No. I didn’t feel any of those things.”
I angle my body toward Zephyr and present him with the same question. “Does the thought of me with Evangeline make you jealous or feel as if I betrayed you?”
“Not even a little,” he says nearly before I can get the question out. I don’t even need to check our bond to know if he’s telling the truth. Zephyr isn’t one to shy away from the truth, which is equal parts helpful and annoying.
“Not even a little?” Evangeline asks from next to me. “You’re okay with me marrying your…your mate?”
“As we’ve told you, most fae have multiple partners.
Jealousy isn’t typically common amongst us, unless someone outside our circle flirts or touches what’s ours,” Zephyr says.
“You may not be mine romantically, Evangeline, but you are still family. Still the betrothed of my mate. I harbor no ill will toward you.”
His words settle over us, and I hope they have finally gotten through to Evangeline. Hesitation is still coiled in her body as she nervously rubs her hands over her thigh. “Okay, then,” she murmurs, looking between us.
I squeeze her knee gently, which earns me a smile. I probably should have asked if she likes my touch—Zephyr says I’m touch-happy—but she doesn’t seem to mind it. In fact, I would argue she takes comfort in it. Another sign proving this match is perfect.
“Now that we all understand each other, I think it’s time to discuss our mating ceremony,” I say, getting the attention of both my mates. Despite myself, I can’t help but smirk at their surprised reaction. “That is why you’re here, Evangeline. Remember?”
“I’m very aware. It’s just…do we really want this to happen now?”
“Of course we do. Now is better than later. The curse is only going to get worse, and I fear waiting any longer will negatively affect the outcome of this war for us. Plus, I can better ensure your safety if we are mated, which is top priority.”
I sneak a glance at Zephyr to see if he’ll argue with the top priority comment, but he remains stoic.
I know he agrees, since he pushed me to marry the day Evangeline arrived, even if he’s being standoffish about it now.
Then, I thought she needed time, but I’ve allowed all the time I can grant, which, regrettably, isn’t much.
“When will the mating ceremony take place?” Evangeline asks softly, her fingers nervously twirling a stray curl, eyes fixed on the space between us rather than meeting mine.
I straighten, the gravity of my next words anchoring in my chest. I know the moment I speak, the air between us will shift irrevocably. But it has to be done. And it has to be soon.
“Tomorrow night.”
The silence that follows is haunting. Shock. Anticipation. Fear.
There’s no going back now.