“I’m saying goodnight,” I told my mates as I walked over towards my brothers, all of them looking up in surprise.
“Sol—” one of the twins, Alois, I believe, started as the other knocked him in the ribs. I was smiling already as he corrected himself. “Maya.”
“I just wanted to say goodnight,” I offered. “I know this is probably a bit odd—”
“We are glad you’re back,” Dusan offered, his tone warmer than before.
“Even if it’s with them.” Gavriel’s eyes narrowed behind me before flashing a smile. I nearly shook my head at that.
“I am leaving tomorrow,” I admitted. “I told Mom I would be back, but I’m not sure when.”
“We are helping with the coven,” Fintan explained and then offered a small smile. “So you won’t be able to ditch us as easily.”
“Really? Maybe afterwards you guys can come visit our house.” I liked that idea. Maybe I could convince my mom and dads of the same.
“I’m down.” Faolan nodded.
“Maya,” Ledger called, appearing behind me. “You ready to go, firefly?”
“Yep, I just wanted to find Eleven and say goodbye.”
I could feel my brothers tense, and I offered them a curious look. “I don’t mean to be blunt, but you guys know that it’s super obvious that there is something going on between all of you, right?”
Ledger beamed as Dusan legitimately chuckled, the others offering various looks of frustration and agreement.
“Good,” Dusan replied. “She’s the only one who hasn’t accepted that, so maybe being obvious will work in our favor.”
“Do you guys know where she is?” I asked softly.
Fintan narrowed his eyes over my shoulder before smiling. “Other side of the room.” I turned and immediately saw her talking to Rhysand. Before Ledger could stop me, I was flitting across the dance floor, avoiding other couples and finding myself nearing Eleven and my brother. Their words became clear to me the closer I got.
“I’m not doing this,” Eleven hissed out. “You’re being an ass, Rhy. I’m over it. It’s like this every single time. You know it’s not possible. None of this is possible—”
“Goddamn it, Eleven,” he growled, running a hand over his face. “You have to be the most stubborn woman on the planet. We can help you.”
Her face flashed dark. “One, I don’t need help. I have been dealing with this my entire life and a hell of a lot more. Two, even if I did, I wouldn’t ask some stuck up princes. I get it. Really, you aren’t entertained enough with the stupid fucking suicide missions you send yourselves on, so you think this is the solution. There is no goddamn fix.”
My brows rose at their back and forth as Rhysand threw up his hands and seemed to mutter something under his breath. I stepped closer and cleared my voice. “Eleven?”
Her head snapped towards me, her rich, dark hair having come out of her ponytail, now hanging around her shoulders. “Princess Maya.”
“I just wanted to say goodnight, and thank you for everything. Also, goodnight to you, Rhysand, as well.”
“Night, Maya,” he offered with an awkward smile that didn’t seem natural to him at all. I offered a friendly one in return as Eleven stepped away from him and looked directly at me.
“If you ever need anything, let me know.” Her words seemed filled with significance, and she reached forward and grabbed my hand, emotion seeming to fill her gaze. “I mean it, Maya. Just let me know.”
I offered a smile and nodded before she let go of my hand and offered Rhysand one more look before darting away. I looked at my rather terrifying brother and spoke honestly. “What exactly is going on between all of you?”
What? I was curious!
His eyes filled with pain as he attempted to explain, but he somehow confused me more. “Eleven is punishing herself for a lifestyle that she was forced into, something that was never and will never be her fault. So instead of moving past it, she has mentally forbidden herself from any form of happiness. Ever. That, and she is bound to the God realm through a pledge that she made under duress, in my opinion.”
I blinked at his bluntness. “Wow.”
“Yeah,” he grunted. “We will figure it out. Hopefully.”
“Can I make a tiny observation?” I went up on my toes and rocked back, hoping I wasn’t overstepping my bounds.
“Sure.” He offered me a speculative glance.
“I don’t think she liked being called stubborn,” I pointed out softly.
His laugh was authentic as he ran a hand over his face. “You’re not wrong.”
“Wrong about what?” Marco’s voice ran across my ears as I looked up and found him behind me.
“I’ll explain later,” I promised.
Rhysand spoke quietly. “Marco, I don’t have to tell you to take care of our sister.”
Marco let out a low growl. “No one needs to tell me to take care of my mate.”
I offered him a small smile as my brother grunted. “Good. I’ll see both of you on Earth realm in a few short days.” I watched him walk away as I leaned back against Marco and offered him a cocked brow.
“What?” His lips pressed up.
“You’re so growly,” I teased.
“I don’t like other men questioning if I can take care of you,” he mumbled before scoping me up. “Besides, it sounds like they have their own mate problems to handle.”
“You think Eleven is their mate?” I blinked, feeling stupid for not thinking of that.
“Oh, I don’t think that’s in question,” Marco confirmed and then sighed. “I almost feel bad for them. I have no idea how anyone fights a mating bond, but considering she’s not a shifter, it may be easier for her.”
I nodded, not fully understanding it either, while leaning my head against his chest. I closed my eyes only momentarily, breathing in his scent, but before I knew it, the world around us faded and I found myself thankful that I had never bothered denying this bond between us. Finding my mates was one of the best things that had ever happened to me.
17
Croy
“I need to get the hell out of this realm,” I admitted to Henry, rubbing my temples. “It’s messing with my wolf so fucking bad.”
“Yeah, I’m ready to go home. I hate this place,” he muttered. “Thank fuck mine and Marco’s families are out of the realm right now. I couldn’t stand running into them. It’s enough that the twins had to see their father from a distance as it is.”
I offered a small nod of agreement, watching the way the Dreki sun was beginning to rise in the early dawn sky, painting the Fire Lands pink and orange. There were gold streaks throughout the landscape, brightening the morning and casting rays across the balcony. My eyes moved down to the gold mark Maya had left on me, a rope of flames that encircled my entire wrist and was streaked with hints of blue. It felt like a brand, because it was a brand, and I couldn’t begin to describe home much I fucking loved that.
I was possessive over Maya—that wasn’t in question in the least—but I had never expected her to feel the same way over me. To mark me. To stand up for me to her parents or to anyone at all. I’d been around long enough to know most dragons didn’t like wolf shifters, so I had been unsurprised by any of their reactions. But to hear Maya stand up for me? It left me with a sensation I was still growing used to. One of affection mixed with devotion and possession that I felt over my little phoenix.