Page 14

Dove

When I awoke, I found myself entombed between Seven and Enko. Seven’s Shadow leaked out around him slightly, keeping us cool from Enko’s fiery warmth on my other side.

The beds remained close together, and it was only a matter of time before the sleeping situation caused a rift between my Fated males. Particularly Kairos, who had been forced to sleep in Seven’s bed two nights in a row.

I shuffled out from between them, causing several groans and pushing the deadweight of arms off me and scurried into the bathroom. I was in such a rush, I didn’t even bother to close the door, which had no lock anyway.

After peeing, I moved in front of the mirror and I lifted the loose t-shirt of one of my Fated mates—Enko’s, based on the smell of cinnamon fire and the fact that its hem landed at my shins. My back was still wrapped with white bandages, but there was no blood leaking through. It was healing finally, as slowly as that may be. A year of torment, gone in a week.

“Morning, little fox,”

the massive man said as he stumbled into the bathroom and moved toward the toilet with half drooped eyes.

“Seriously, Enko?”

I said as I scampered out the door, letting the t-shirt fall back down my back.

He talked through his yawn, “Sorry.”

“Hurry up, Enko. I need to take a shower,”

Seven said from outside the door as I passed by him.

“I thought you just roll around in the Shadow to get the dirt off,”

Kairos joked from his dresser, putting on a pair of gray gym shorts. He had already combed his hair back into perfection since he had awoken minutes before. “And you’re sleeping in your own bed tonight.”

“I need the bathroom to change when you three are done,”

I told them as I took out a pair of black leggings and a black t-shirt. None of my clothes had the softness of theirs, nor the lovely delicious smells.

“Little fox, we’ve seen you naked, you are not hogging the bathroom every morning to get changed anymore.”

I scowled. Apparently our times together in the morning had reached peak annoyance with each other. I started the pot of the coffee and hurriedly changed before tossing my clothes in the hamper that Kairos’ magical tiny elves managed to get cleaned twice a week. Except right now, it was overflowing.

“Don’t forget your pain medicine, Dove,”

Kairos said as he tossed the orange bottle in my direction and it clattered on the floor as my sleepy hand missed the throw.

I felt the gentle tug of the Archfox coming closer. A knock came at the door and my Fated males glanced at me.

“It’s Rhys,”

I said as he opened the door.

I poured coffee into my thermal cup and the four of us were now bumping shoulders in the tiny kitchenette. They passed the creamer between them and I kept mine black. Like the color of my soul, the dark thought permeated through the guys and while Seven had a laugh, the other two glanced over dismissively, too tired for my antics.

Rhys’ stern gaze fell to me. “You’re supposed to be working on shielding thoughts, Dove. I shouldn’t be hearing even a word from your mind by now.”

“Not a good time, brother. The lack of space in this dorm makes for late mornings.”

“Not my top concern, brother,”

Rhys told Seven.

“Maybe it would be if you had to sleep in here with us. And tell your brother to start sleeping in his own bed again,”

Kairos reprimanded.

The Archfox looked at the three beds that were still squished together. “What do you expect me to do about it?”

Seven—the most grumpy of our number in the mornings—scoffed. “You’d think the most powerful kitsune in the world would have some sway on a larger dormitory for his Fated.”

“There are no larger dormitories,”

Rhys responded. “If you’d like, Dove, I can get a second dorm just for you.”

Seven groaned, “And leave me stuck in this sausage fest?”

The Archfox raised an eyebrow and I stifled my laughter.

“She wants to be around all of us and there’s no room in this dorm,”

Kairos said sternly to the Archfox. “Including you.”

Rhys raised his eyebrows. “And how exactly can that be remedied?”

“Oh, I don’t know, the gigantic mansion that is provided to you for being Archfox maybe?”

“That residence is for me only—”

“And your Fated,”

Seven reminded.

Rhys shrugged in a way that made me wonder if he even wanted me there before finally responding, “Very well. I suppose we can’t hide it forever.”

The morning reveille began to play and the Archfox grumbled. “We’ll continue this later. Get to class.”

He raised his eyebrows at all of us as though we were under his complete command. “And keep your mouths and minds shut until then.”