Page 52 of Tempting Shadowed Hearts
The climb onto the bed is challenging, not only because I’m holding her but also because this bed was made for Adrestia and her height. Still, I manage to make it on without having to put Roxi down. I settle myself in the center and lean up against the headboard. Roxi readjusts herself until she’s found a comfortable spot and falls asleep in my arms.
I stare down at her while she sleeps for far longer than I realize, but I’m brought back to reality when the bedroom door flies open. My arms tighten around Roxi, and I prepare to fly us to safety. Somehow. Rich amber eyes lock with mine, and every thought of running leaves my body. I relax back into the bed, a breath of relief leaving me.
Adrestia climbs onto the bed before me, taking my face in her hands. She kisses me roughly and desperately, like she never thought she’d get to do it again. Avyanna rushes up beside her and shoves her out of the way so she can claim my mouth in an intense, possessive kiss, which leaves me breathless. When her mouth leaves mine, she brushes a gentle, yet affectionate kiss on Roxi’s brow while Adrestia rolls her eyes.
My eyes fill with tears as I let out a breathy laugh. “There’s no need to fight over us. While I may be the smallest of us, I will kick both of your asses. Roxi needs rest. And food at some point. She never got to eat her breakfast.”
Avyanna looks to Adrestia before glancing back at Roxi and me. “You’re right. But I won’t ever stop trying to show all three of you how much you mean to me. In such a short time, you three have shown me what life is all about. You’ve all made me realize what I’ve been missing in my life. When I’m with you, I finally feel like I belong—like I’m not the outsider everyone else makes me out to be. Adrestia gave me a taste of that long ago, but Ithink we were meant to separate so we could all find each other. I’ve always believed everything happens for a reason; you three have solidified that belief and made it a reality for me.”
Adrestia grabs Avyanna by the nape of the neck and swings the hunter to face her. “I fucking love you. Even after everything my family put you through to separate us, you’ve still chosen me in the end. I hate that it had to happen that way…” she says, trailing off to look at Roxi and me. “But you’re right. If my family hadn’t intervened, we wouldn’t have found these two. Even if we had, I don’t think things would’ve turned out this way. We were too lost in each other back then to allow them to enter our lives like they needed to.”
Roxi shifts in my lap and brings her hand up to cup my cheek, wiping away a tear that escaped its containment. I open my mouth to apologize because I hadn’t even realized she’d woken up, but she stops me with a mesmerizing smile. She looks so peaceful. Content.
I smile back at her. “Sounds like you’re stuck with us. Because I wouldn’t trade the way you all make me feel for anything in this entire world or the next. I’ve never once thought about settling down until I met you all. I’ll do anything as long as it means I get to be with you three forever.”