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But instead of being upset, Ellis gave us a smug little grin. “I didn’t mean for you to stop. I just couldn’t see you very wellat that angle, especially without my glasses.” He wiggled his eyebrows.

I huffed. “How are you feeling?”

“Tired.” His smirk dropped. He pushed some of the pillows behind himself. “Come sit on the bed with me.”

I patted Rory’s stomach and pushed him lightly away. Then I toed off my shoes and crawled onto the bed.

Rory picked up my shoes and put them in the closet before draping my cargo shorts neatly on a hanger.

I leaned over to put my mouth next to Ellis’ ear. “He’s nesting.”

Ellis sucked in a breath, and he turned his head to look in my eyes. “Yeah? For both of us?”

I nodded and kissed the edge of his mouth gently. “I’m sorry I didn’t understand before.”

He leaned his head on my shoulder and watched Rory take his own shoes off. “There was a lot going on. I didn’t understand it myself.” He picked up my hand. “Do you... would you be willing to try again with the bond? One day?”

I smiled against his hair, even though he really needed a shower. “I want to. Rory, come over here.”

He shut the closet door and walked over to the other side of the bed. His expression was tentative, and his eyes flicked back and forth between me and Ellis.

“Come cuddle. The room looks great. You did a good job for us.”

Ellis nodded. “Yes, Rory. It’s perfect. I feel so relaxed and at home. But you should be on the bed with us. And I’ll be able to see you better over here.”

He hesitated at the side of the bed. “You two are going to bond again?”

Ellis opened his mouth, but I shushed him. “Get over here. Right there, on Ellis’ other side. He needs you.”

Rory looked wary but climbed onto the bed, arranging himself so he was plastered against Ellis.

I threw my arm across Ellis’ stomach, and Rory did the same, so the three of us were cuddled close. I silently thanked Clementine and Levi for the excellent air conditioning.

“That’s the stuff.” Ellis sighed dreamily. “I can’t wait until we do this naked.”

Rory choked with laughter, and I grinned. “Rory. When you look right here....” I lifted my arm and pointed at Ellis’ torso. Ellis gasped and grabbed my and Rory’s forearms. “What do you see?”

Because what I saw was solid, strong connections between the three of us. Between me and Ellis, between Rory and Ellis, and between Rory and me. Equal in all ways.

CAL’S CAMPAIGN COMPENDIUM

CONNECTIONS

Connections are magical tethers between magic carriers and other magic carriers, Wonders and other Wonders, or between magic carriers and Wonders. Most Wonders can perceive connections between people starting from birth, but magic carriers do not develop that ability until their late twenties to early thirties.

Types:

Friend and family connections: Occur spontaneously without conscious intent by the parties involved. Non-permanent. If the relationship fades, the connection will too.

District Monitor connections: Intentional, non-permanent connections between DMs and Wonders. Only active within the DM’s District, but Wonders can connect to multiple DMs if they travel.