Page 191 of Emylia

“Not unless she tells me to.”Sebastian’s voice was soft. Certain. “And even then… I’ll follow her until my dying breath.”

I smiled. Just a little.

“You?”

Maalikai’s voice dropped into a low growl, deep and deliberate. “Death will be the only thing that can take me from her.”

It wasn’t a promise. It was a claim.

“And if she chooses me?”Sebastian asked, voice flat but firm.

A wry chuckle slipped from Maalikai, its tendrils crawling up my spine.

“I doubt that. But if it comes to pass… I’m enough of a man to step aside. What about you?”

Sebastian didn’t flinch. “I’m her best friend. I’ll never have to step aside.” He paused, quieter now. “But if she chooses you—I can respect that.”

Maalikai raised an eyebrow. “And you’ll let her decideproperly? Experience everything she needs, before she chooses?”

“Of course. You?”

Maalikai's eyes gleamed. “I already have, haven’t I?”

Sebastian’s smirk was instant. “I promised her as many times as she needs until she knows with complete certainty. So your time of waiting? Not done yet.”

Maalikai’s gaze darkened. Something ancient stirred in his posture—possessive and volatile.

But he didn’t strike. Didn’t speak. Because it wasn’t a challenge anymore.

It was a deal.

An incredibly weird deal where they’d decided to share me.

Heat struck deep at my core at the thought of it. That I was still contemplating this.

But then the truth hit me.

The moment I’d shared with Maalikai on the sparring field would’ve ended verydifferently if Sebastian hadn’t interrupted us. There was no doubt in my mind—the tethers on my restraint were slipping. And as much as I didn’t want to even considerthe possibility of sleeping with both of them... at this point, it felt inevitable.

Just a matter of time.

Because Sebastian was right. I did owe both of them the truth. And more than that—I owed it to myself.

Not out of lust. Not out of guilt.

Not even out of loyalty.

Out of love.

This wasn’t about having both of them. This was about finally being brave enough to choose.

To find the one my heart truly belonged to.

* * *

ChapterForty-One

Despite the boys flexing their muscles and competing in every way possible, they’d both left me alone that night. To sleep by myself. To contemplate.

---