“Sister-kin, I would very much like to know this story.” That was Zed, and his eyes blazed with the same lust for our female that I was sure shined in my own gaze.
“Mindy, no—” Violet was begging. And blushing. If my mate loved sweet desserts, I could find some very creative ways to feed all four of us. Use my tongue to taste her…everywhere…as we explored this odd craving.
Now I had to discover her secrets.
Goran tugged gently on Mindy’s hair and she turned shining eyes up to look at him. They were so in tune that one small shake of Goran’s head and Mindy sighed. “Please?”
“No. It is not your secret to share.”
“But—”
“Since spanking is not an option—” His humor filled gaze darted to Violet before settling onto his mate’s face with a look of complete devotion. I knew the feeling. “Do you wish me to retrieve the stimspheres, gara?”
I had no idea what a stimsphere was, but Mindy’s eyes widened and she quickly shook her head. “No, Master.”
Goran gently stroked Mindy’s hair. “Good girl.”
Violet pulled her feet toward her body and sat up. “Perhaps we should talk, just us girls, before we leave.”
Mindy bounced with excitement. “Please, Master. May we go and speak together in private? I’d like to spend time with her, like it used to be, without four bossy men.”
I bit my lip to stifle a smile. Mindy was an imp and the way Goran’s mouth tipped up at the corner, he would not stifle her too much. He loved her as she was.
He held out his hand to help her rise. “Of course, gara.”
Side by side, the twins were truly identical. But I would know Violet anywhere. She was mine. She was marked with my seed, my love embedded in her heart.
The ladies locked their arms together, joined at the elbow, smiling…until they realized their time together would be spent saying good-bye.
Violet’s tears ripped me in half and I glanced from Zed to Calder, a question in my eyes. Both of them nodded and I cleared my throat to get Violet’s attention before they could exit the room.
“Violet, love, the three kings and Queen Leah had a message for you.”
Violet spun on her heel, dragging her giggling sister with her. “For me?”
“Yes, love. For you, because the decision will be yours.”
“What decision?”
With one more look at Calder, who was the most attached to our home world, I was relieved when he nodded, a look of anticipation in his eyes as he tore his gaze from mine and back to Violet. Zed hadn’t moved, his gaze locked on our mate, not wanting to miss one moment of what he knew was to come.
“I have spoken with High Councilor Tark as well as King Drogan. If it is your wish, your mates will be transferred to the command of the High Councilor and we will live out our days here, on Trion, with your sister and her mate.”
“What?” Violet paled, her knees going weak as Mindy struggled to keep her upright.
“You’ve upset her.” Zed was on his feet, pulling Violet into his arms as Mindy stepped back to give them room. She was nervous and unsure, her hand wrapped around her own throat in obvious upset until Goran came to her side. One touch of her mate and she calmed, leaning into him. Content. Safe.
Happy.
Violet was not so easy to read.
She was sobbing. Hard, gut-wrenching sobs that Zed was helpless to stop. She sobbed like her heart had been ripped from her body, as if our words had destroyed her very soul.
Calder was on his knees before her and I joined my family, wrapping my arms around both Violet and Zed, connecting us, as Calder wrapped his arms around her thighs. We surrounded her. Comforted her. She was ours. “Violet, love. Don’t. Please don’t. We will leave at once. We will return to Viken as we planned. The choice is yours. We do not need to remain here. Please don’t. You are breaking my heart.”
Leaning in the two inches that separated our mouths, she kissed me. “No. I love you. I love you all, but I don’t want to live on Viken. I want to live here, with Mindy, and with you. I don’t want to be torn in half. I want our children to laugh and play together, to grow up together. I can’t believe…”
She was sobbing again, and Mindy joined her, jumping up and down, her hands clasped in front of her lips as tears streaked her cheeks. “Violet. Oh, my god. You can stay?” She turned to Goran, a look of disbelief on her face. “She can really stay?”