Page 57 of The Bones of the Cursed

Malakai and Kailu are wrapped around me like blankets, holding me just as tightly as they did the night before.

Malakai must have trimmed his hair before dinner last night, as it’s now slightly longer on top but short on both sides. He pulls off the messy hair look perfectly. Without thought, I run a finger over his eyebrows, relaxed in sleep. He usually looks so arrogant that I can’t help but admire his face when he is just him, no facade. I trail my fingers over his sharp cheekbones, tracing all the way down to his strong jawline.

He is too beautiful, his perfect face almost unreal.

Looking at Kailu, he seems younger. The rigid male now at rest. His serious face is free of the worries that plague him. I long to feel his lips under mine again. No matter how much he hurt me, I think I love him.

But I am drawn to Malakai. As I ran from the dining room last night, my body wanted to turn back. To runtohim, not away.

I slowly slip out of their arms, needing time to center myself before facing the world again. I run a bath and quickly clean the sweat from my body. When I look in the mirror, I actually cringe. My makeup is smeared from crying and my eyes are bloodshot and puffy. I wash my face and apply the lotion that smells of lavender sitting on the counter, hoping it helps me look a little better, and leave my hair down to dry.

Taking cautious steps from the bathroom, I notice they’re both awake, lost in a deep whispered conversation, their backs propped against pillows side by side. Malakai’s brow is pinched in concentration and Kailu’s movements are animated.

What in the world are they talking about?

In that moment, I want them both. To hell with a mating bond. Whatever Kailu and I have is just as strong.

I linger there in the doorway, knowing full well they both knew when I got out of bed and the instant I stepped out of the bathroom. It still takes a moment for them to look at me, and it makes my heart clench. They look just as exhausted as I feel, as if they too had awful nightmares that prevented a good night’ssleep.

I slowly approach the bed, unsure of what to do, but content to let my body take over for my overly tired mind. Climbing onto the mattress, I settle on my knees directly in front of them. I feel their gazes follow my movement.

I look into their eyes, one molten silver, the other a deep green.

All of the chaos quiets, as if they are the answer to the raging sea inside me. “I’m so scared,” I whisper. “Scared for my brother. Scared of whatever this prophecy could mean…”

Malakai gently takes my face in his hands. “We are going to figure this out.” He looks to Kailu. “Together.”

Before I can process the emotions swirling in his eyes, he takes my lips in a brutal kiss.

My body erupts into flames. His lips are soft but demanding, opening my mouth so his tongue can meet mine, and I kiss him right back. He somehow tastes of mint, as if he just chewed up a mint leaf to prepare for this moment. I drag my hands through his hair, delighting in its silk like I’ve been wanting to do, and am rewarded with a deep groan. I scratch my fingers along the nape of his neck, breaking away from his lips to catch a breath.

I turn worried eyes to Kailu, but instead of sadness all I see is desire. He tips toward me to claim my lips as his own.

What the hell is going on?

Kailu pulls back, as if he hears the unspoken question, and gives me a soft smile. “I think the three of us need to talk.”

My face must show my confusion because Malakai gives me that damned smirk of his. “You have strong feelings for Kailu, do you not?”

I swallow hard, feeling guilty for admitting to my mate that I have feelings for another. “Yes.”

Kailu squeezes my hand. “And you feel a pull towards Malakai?”

Exhaling, I glance at the molten silver eyes that I am drawn to. “Yes. My feelings for both of you are strong. I don’t know if Mal’s is because of the mating bond or not, but when I’m with him it feels right.”

Kailu’s breath is shaky. “And what about with me?” His eyes hold a cautious look, like he’s scared of my answer.

“You hurt me when you left. I thought you left because you were in love with someone else…”

He shakes his head vehemently. “I am not in love with Ayda. Once upon a time I was, but now there is only you. There has only been you from the moment we met.”

I cup his chin in my palm, forcing his eyes to meet mine. “But even then, my feelings for you never went away. Malakai gives me a sense of wildness, but you offer me stability. When I’m with you both, though…When you are both near me…” Malakai takes my hand, Kailu holding my other, easing the nerves. “When you are both near me, I feel a sense of calm. It’s like that when I’m with you individually, but together…It’s like any worry or fear is minuscule, as long as I have you both with me.”

Kailu smiles and glances at Malakai, who merely nods. “I don’t want to hope too hard,” Kailu says, “but I talked to a healer who said that, hypothetically, it’s possible for a mating bond to be blocked by something.”

I rear back. “Are you saying I could have two mates? Both of you?” It might seem selfish, but Gods, do I hope that’s true.

It’s Malakai who answers. “Yes, it’s been known to happen before. Usually only a very powerful being has multiple mates.”

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