“Whatbothersme about this is that neither of you have treated her with respect until after she was stabbed.” Kwil’s voice deepens, and his eyes begin to glow ever so slightly. “I wouldn’t care to share my mate with the brothers I started out with as a Ghost. Now, I’m not so sure.”
Viktor crosses his arms over his chest. “Luckily, it’s not up to you then.”
Kwil stands abruptly as he glares at the white-haired Fae.
“Tell me I’m wrong not to be concerned,” Kwil challenges both Viktor and Theo. “Viktor, I’ve talked to about this already, but Theo…” Kwil shakes his head.
My heart races as my face burns with outrage. I don’t realize my hands have turned to fists until my nails bite into my palms. Kwil’s not wrong, and I can see it when the other two realize this, too.
“Things have changed—”
“Changed? Since when, Theo?” Kwil demands. “Since Death walked into the househours agoand told us to shape up and watch over his daughter?”
“Since the moment I laid eyes on her!” Theo hisses softly with a deep scowl. “I’ve been changing ever since she strolled into her damn house the night we arrived!” He stops talking to take a deep breath. Once his body relaxes, Theo continues, “She’s been turning me inside out since the very beginning. I’ve just been too stubborn to see or appreciate it.”
Viktor grunts. I’m not sure what that means, but the look on his face softens, and he drops his arms from his chest.
“Glad to hear I’m not the only one she’s fixing,” he grumbles after a moment.
Kwil’s anger seems to seep out of him as he studies the two of them. When he turns to me, I can’t help but scowl.
“That’s it? We just let them have their way with her?” I demand.
Everyone in the room frowns.
“I believe them, Jonah, so what else is there to say?” Kwil shrugs. “If they have feelings for her, and it was meant to be—”
My mouth falls open. I can’t believe the words coming out of his mouth.
“I have something I need to say,” I glare at him before looking at the others.
My heart twists as I stare at Theo and Viktor, who watch me closely. I struggle to find the words to express the feelings I have for the woman who’s preparing us a decent meal in the other room. My throat works hard to swallow the overwhelming emotions that surge forward.
“I’ve lived my life with nothing to my name, no value to my life, or purpose to guide me. You’d think that would be the worst of what I’ve gone through, but then I lost even that when I touched that stupid book.” I pause to catch my breath. “Theo, you were a prince. Kwil and Viktor, you were probably some hoity-toity assholes who probably could get anyone or anything you ever wanted. Hell, you probably don’t even realize how incredible Willow is given where you come from. But you know what? Willow is the best thing that’s ever happened to me. And to you, too, whether you realize that or not. I’m going to do everything in my power to make her just as happy as I am.”
My tongue feels heavy, and my hands shake at my side. My cheeks are burning as I stare at everyone.
“Do not hurt her,” I manage to croak out as a knot wedges itself in my throat. “She has a heart made of gold and given the type of person she is, she’ll love you and not even know it. If you can’t reciprocate that type of affection, then don’t get any more involved. It’s not fair to her.”
With a sharp nod and a shaky breath, I finish.
No one says anything. I don’t usually put my heart on my sleeve, but for Willow, I’ll do it. But it’s strange being this open and honest with three men who are the very opposite of that.
It’s Theo who finally breaks the heavy silence.
“Well said, Jonah.” He bows his head. “And I don’t disagree.”
We both turn to look at Viktor, whose expression resembles someone sucking on a lemon. Iknewit. There’s no possible way that Viktor somehow managed to do a complete turnaround in the week we’ve been gone. It has to be purely physical—
“I agree as well. Which is why I will pursue Willow in the hopes of gaining her affections with the purest of intentions,” he declares solemnly.
I blink in surprise. The heat behind my passionate declaration begins to ease. Does Viktor actually… care? Judging by the way his expression smooths out and his body relaxes, I can almost believe it.
I turn to Kwil. “She may have solely been yours at one point, but she’s mine now, too. You can call the shots in bed. I don’t care. But I want to make sure that everyone knows that in this life, and our future afterlife, anything dealing with Willow isn’t a game, a fling, or a conquest. I’m holding you to that, too.”
Kwil nods, a small smile spreading across his face. “Of course.”
“Good, then we’re all on the same page.” Now there is just one more person who needs to be involved in this conversation.