“The Goddess opened a wormhole for us,” Bound rumbled, looking grave. “If she hadn’t, we never would have gotten to you in time.”
“That’s amazing…” Lexi shook her head. “I had no idea your Goddess was so involved in her people’s lives.”
“She is, though,” Gaze said seriously. “I truly believe she sent you to save us back on Yonnie Six.”
“And she sent you to save me just now,” Lexi said softly.
“I’m just sorry we had to pull your house apart to do it,” Bound added. “But there didn’t seem to be any other way to get you outta there.”
Lexi shook her head.
“Don’t worry about it. If it was either the house or my life, I pick my life.” She shook her head. “I nearly died tonight.”
“But you didn’t. You’re safe, here with us,” Gaze told her, smiling.
“And you can always go back and live in that fancy-ass tower your Great Aunt left you,” Bound pointed out.
Lexi shook her head again.
“I’m afraid not. I sold Trindall Tower and gave the proceeds to charity. In fact, I pretty much gave it all away. I didn’t think I’d need it—I like living a simple life—not like the way they live on Yonnie Six.”
“I always thought you seemed out of place there,” Gaze said thoughtfully. “I think it’s admirable that you gave your wealth away instead of letting it change you.”
“So…you don’t care that I’m poor now? Well, not completely poor, I do still own my bakery,” Lexi said. Though to be honest, the bakery didn’t seem nearly as important to her as it once had.
“Hell no, Angel,” Bound rumbled. “Hope you didn’t think we wanted you for your money.”
“Bound is right—we wanted you for you,” Gaze said earnestly.
“Exactly,” Bound said firmly. He sighed. “Though it does mean that the three of us are basically homeless now.”
“What?” Lexi looked at them in surprise. “Did you two lose your home as well?”
“I’m afraid so,” Gaze said, shaking his head. “Our GrandSire kicked us out.”
“He heard us talkin’ about you—about how we both care for you,” Bound added as he gave Lexi a meaningful look. He shrugged. “He never could stand it when we acted like Twin Kindred instead of Blood Kindred, which is how he raised us.”
“You got kicked out because of me?” Lexi exclaimed. “Oh Gaze…Bound…I’m so sorry!”
“Don’t be,” Gaze said. “He’s a judgmental old male—we should have moved out of his domicile a long time ago. But on Tranq Prime, families stay together.”
“Well, maybe the three of us should form our own family now,” Bound suggested. “Two males and one female—the way the Goddess intended.”
“Bound…” Gaze frowned at his brother warningly. “We’ve been down this road before. Don’t pressure Alexa—she just lost her home.” He looked at Lexi. “I want you to know, there’s no obligation here. We don’t want you to feel like you have to stay with us just because—”
“Because you saved my life?” Lexi finished for him.
“Exactly.” Bound nodded earnestly. “In fact, if anything the score is even now. Since you saved our lives back on Yonnie Six, I mean. But you should know, Angel, that we never stopped missing you…never stopped thinkin’ about you,” he added in a low voice.
“I never stopped thinking of you two, either,” Lexi admitted softly. Leaning back, she snuggled between the two big, male bodies, enjoying the feeling of the twins on either side of her. “I didn’t want to admit it, even to myself, but my life has felt so…so empty since the three of us parted ways.”
“We feel the same way,” Gaze murmured. “We’ve missed you so much, my Lady.”
“I’ve missed you too. Hug me again,” Lexi said simply and sighed happily as she was once again surrounded in a warm, three-way hug.
When the three of them finally pulled apart, she looked down at her soot-stained robe and gown and made a face.
“Ugh—I’m a mess. Are there any kind of bathing facilities in this ship?”
“Well, nothing as grand as what you had back at Trindall Tower, but we do have a nice big rain-shower,” Gaze told her.
“The water falls straight down from above—it’s like being caught in a nice warm rainstorm,” Bound explained.
Lexi eyed the two of them speculatively.
“It sounds perfect but how big did you say it was? Big enough for three?”
“As a matter of fact,” Bound said, grinning. “It exactly big enough for three.”
Lexi smiled.
“Then maybe the two of you can help me get cleaned up.”
FORTY-ONE
The water, as promised, rained straight down from above into the large, circular shower stall located at the back of the ship, across from the bedchamber. It was constructed of blue frosted glass that made everything seem as though it was happening underwater and there were several tubes of cleansers that were suctioned to its rounded walls. Lexi stepped into it naked and the two big Kindred followed her. They were naked as well and she couldn’t help thinking of the baths the three of them had taken together on Yonnie six.