Page 54 of Room for Three
He felt like he was home.
Chapter
Sixteen
Jamie woke to warmth on both sides and the unfamiliar sensation of contentment threading through his chest. For a moment, he simply lay still, taking inventory of the situation he'd found himself in.
Corin pressed against his right side, one arm flung across Jamie's torso, amber hair spilling across his face, his breathing deep and even.
Azelon lay to his left, blue skin luminescent in the soft light of morning. In sleep, his tail had curved around Jamie's ankle possessively.
The intimacy of the moment almost overwhelmed Jamie.
Closing his eyes, he tried to sort through the tangle of emotions in his chest. The ones that had nothing to do with magical bonds and everything to do with the reality of his situation. Last night had been incredible—more than incredible—but in the clear light of morning, he couldn't ignore the questions piling up in his mind.
The most pressing one concerned his brother.
Where was Daniel?
Jamie should have been looking for him. Instead, he had been… distracted.Spectacularlydistracted. What kind of person got magically bonded to two men while his brother was lost in another world?
Not the kind of person Jamie was. Jamie was supposed to be responsible. Reliable. The one who took care of everyone else while they chased their dreams and adventures. The kind of person who built a quiet, stable life around his bookstore because it was safe and predictable and hurt no one.
Recently, nothing had been predictable.
Jamie's chest tightened as his thoughts spiraled. Even if they found Daniel, even if they figured out how to defeat the Barrier Keeper who'd brought them here—what then? Could he really stay in this world? Build a life with Corin and Azelon in a magical bookstore in the middle of nowhere?
The store itself was remarkable, but it was hardly a viable business model. Who would even find them out here? How would they survive?
And what about his life back home? His apartment, his regular customers, the book clubs that met in his store every Thursday? Mrs. Chen who brought him soup when he was sick, the barista at the coffee shop next door who knew his order by heart?
All of it felt distant now, like memories from someone else's life.
Movement beside him made Jamie still. Azelon's breathing had changed, no longer the deep rhythm of sleep. The Tideborn's eyes opened and locked on him.
"You're awake," Azelon said softly.
"Did I wake you?"
"No." Azelon shifted slightly, turning toward him. "Your emotions did."
Jamie grimaced. "I'm still getting used to this bond thing."
"As am I." Azelon's gaze searched Jamie's face. "What's troubling you?"
The question was gentle, but Jamie sensed the concern beneath it.
"My brother," Jamie said, because it was the easiest truth to start with.
Azelon nodded. "You're concerned about the time we've lost."
"Among other things." Jamie glanced at Corin, still sleeping peacefully. "What are we doing, Azelon? Really?"
"I'm not sure I understand."
Jamie turned back to him, meeting those intense eyes. "Last night was... it was amazing. But what happens now? Do we just pretend we can build a life together? Do we ignore the fact that I don't belong in this world?"
Azelon went very still. "You regret what happened between us."
