Page 56 of Clash of Sin and Secret

“I was private about it when I was the prince, and you were my bodyguard. We both know Bran would never have approved and my father wouldn’t have either. They would’ve cited it as a conflict of interest.”

“And he did.” Huntley shrugs and lets off a long sigh. “That was what my video message from Bran was about. He didn’t choose Scotland over me because of anything she did. He chose her because he knew about the two of us.”

What? How?I thought we’d been so discreet. Then again, there wasn’t a thing that went on in this compound that Bran wasn’t aware of.

Until Benoit’s treachery, that is.

Beneath my fingertips, I sense the tension coiling in my Viking’s muscles. That he lost his destiny because of our relationship hurts. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s not your fault. Bran was right—we crossed the line. He was also wrong because my feelings for you don’t distract me from my duty to protect you—they intensify it.”

But it still hurts to cause his disappointment. I press my forehead to his chest, absorbing the weight of our actions, the gravity of how they affected his future. “I never meant for you to lose your destiny because of me.”

He tilts my chin up, forcing me to meet his gaze. “Youare my destiny, Zane. You always have been. This is where we are now and I’m coming to grips with it. I’ve guarded you the past decade without squire powers, and I’ll continue to guard you for centuries more if the fates are kind to us.”

He doesn’t sound broken or despondent about the unexpected loss of a destiny he envisioned for so long. Hesounds like he’s accepted Scottie being my squire and is pivoting toward a new future.

A future that includes both me and Scottie.

And Tucker, too.

“Holding Scottie in my arms after the energy pulse took her from us…”

“After she died…” Huntley corrects, his hand sliding over the rise of my hip.

His touch is a warm comfort, but nothing can ease the icy horror of that moment. I hate to even think about what might have happened.

I swallow. “Losing her again crushed me. I know I won’t survive her walking away from us. I also know I lost the right to have her all to myself.”

He arches a brow. “And you’re okay with that?”

“I’m working on it. Hearing her ask about all four of us sharing a bed was humbling.” The thought stirs up a mix of desire and frustration. “I didn’t realize you loved her like that. I knew you cared for her, but I didn’t know you loved her.”

“I’m not surprised. Growing up, you two saw nothing but each other. It was a tough situation to be in as the third wheel.”

“I’m sorry about that.”

Huntley’s piercing blue eyes study my face. “It was a long time ago, Z. We’re way past that now.”

Are we? I sure hope so.

“But if we’re talking about adding in not only Scottie but also Tucker, we better understand our expectations. Tucker laid out his thoughts with me and I respect the hell out of him for it.”

“He what? Why is this the first I’m hearing about this?” Huntley’s phone buzzes, vibrating against the surface of the bedside table.

“Leave it.”

He scoffs. “I can’t. You know I can’t.”

The intrusion breaks the fragile moment between us as Huntley reaches for the bedside table. When he rolls back, his brow furrows as he checks the screen.

“We’re invited to come back to Donor Watch. Larkin and Wylder convinced the Queen to give us a second chance.”

I blink. “That’s the last thing I expected.”

Huntley grins. “Let’s try not to piss off the Queen of Shedim and her dark angel family this time around, shall we?”

I roll my eyes and roll off the bed to get dressed. “I’ll do my best.”

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