Page 68 of Woven Souls

I half expect Kwil to usher me back inside, insisting that I stay out of sight and safe in the confines of the house. Instead, he walks down the three steps and looks around him before turning to look back at me. When he offers me his hand, I just stare at it.

“Come here,” he beckons with a smile.

“But my curse—”

His smile grows. “Didn’t I tell you that you would be safe in my arms? I won’t let anything happen to you while we spend a little time out here under the stars.”

My heart flutters as I take his hand. He helps me to my feet, and I join him by his side. At once, Kwil pulls me into his chest. Heat burns in my cheeks as he places his other hand on my lower back. Keeping my other hand firmly in his, he begins to sway, bringing me with him.

An uncomfortable giggle bubbles past my lips.

“What are we doing?”

“What’s it look like we’re doing?” Kwil lowers his mouth to my ear. “I’m dancing with my mate.”

I press my face into the crook of his neck, enjoying the soft vibrations shaking Kwil’s body.

Here in Kwil’s embrace I feel safe. But I’ve always felt that way around him. Even when he first stepped out of the shadows behind my house where he’d been lurking to ask me for help, I’d felt safe in his presence.

Who knew it was because we’re mates?

My smile grows a tiny bit bigger as my body relaxes in his arms.

When the next song starts up, Kwil twirls me around before pulling me back into his chest. By the end of the second song, I’m outright grinning. Kwil pulls us to a stop and stares down at me. His blue eyes catch the light of the rope lights hanging from the neighbor’s porch, causing them to twinkle.

“After I joined the Brotherhood, I thought my days of dancing with beautiful women were over,” he says softly.

My right brow pops up in surprise. “You did a lot of dancing before?”

His face twists in a fake outrage. “Any Fae worth his salt attended the annual balls to show off the season’s latest dance moves. I was by far the most skilled dancer in all of Everlast.”

The bright smile that follows his words melts my heart.

“And what about you? Did you dance a lot before we bulldozed our way into your life?”

“You mean besides in my kitchen?” I chuckle. “I never danced like this, but if you count the occasional night out at a club, then probably a handful of times a year.”

This time it’s Kwil who’s brow raises. “Oh? And who did you bring with you? Please, tell me it was just a few girlfriends.”

I snort. “It was mostly by myself, maybe with a date here or there. It’s hard to make friends with humans when you get caught talking to yourself a lot. They don’t like hanging with someone who draws in spirits. And our world… Well, you know how people feel about necromancy.”

Kwil frowns at this. “Besides spirits, you must’ve been alone a lot.”

I shrug. “It doesn’t matter now, does it? Looks like I have four handsome, albeit high maintenance, men to keep me company.” For now. Who knows when the fifth will show up?

He laughs at me. “High maintenance?”

“Did I stutter?”

“Maybe a few of us can be a bit… much.” His amusement fades as he stares down at me. “You okay with all of this?”

“I’m not sure if I have a choice not to be okay with it.” I step back, out of his reach to look up at him.

“Yes, you do.” Kwil scowls. “If you don’t want anything with them, all you need to do is say the word, and they’ll back off. They would respect your decision if you decided not to pursue things any further.”

He’s right. I could say no and call my moments with Viktor, then with Theo, respectively, one and done. Maybe a small part of me considers this the best option. But it’s just for a moment. I’ve seen the change and growth in both men. They’re different now, and the men I’m seeing are men that I could grow to care about.

“I’m okay with this Kwil.” I meet his gaze confidently. “What about you?”