Page 160 of Wicked Magik

We ascended the mountain where Alicia had formed her bond with both Sylvaine and Thackery. Their triad had barely lasted six years when Thackery and Alicia vanished, leaving Sylvaine alone with his grief.

Once we reached the cliff side, Thackery and I shifted into our more physical form. Where frost clung to his pale skin like a second nature, shadows pooled beneath mine. He embodied winter's season while Oryx and I wore night like a cloak. Without a glance back, he squared his shoulders and strode into the cave, leaving us to follow.

We understood what needed to be done: escort Vesper to her childhood nursery deep within the cave and remain there with her while Thackery and Sylvaine settled their long-overdue confrontation.

I couldn’t imagine how Vesper was feeling. Did she know that Sylvaine was her father, part of the triad? Does Sylvaine think that Thackery is dead? What about her mother?

My pulse quickens as we cross the threshold, but Oryx's tail coils around my wrist—a silent promise of protection. The cave's entrance showers us with snowflakes, drawing an irritated rumble from deep in Oryx's chest.

We enter to find Vesper positioned behind Sylvain, her face tilted upward with furrowed brows as she studies the towering figure before her. I probe her thoughts but encounter only silence. No trace of fear radiates from her presence.

I hear nothing from her.

“Is she shocked?”Oryx asked me.

“Wouldn’t you be? She has two fathers.”

Thackery stared down at Sylvaine, the tension so thick you could cut it with a sword. “Sylvaine.” Thackeray’s voice came out much more tender than I thought it would be.

Oryx’s hooves echoed in the cave, his anticipation growing to get his hands on our pet.

Sylvaine took a tentative step forward. “Is it really you?” His lip wobbled. “Is it truly?”

Thackery lunged across the space between them, his arms outstretched toward Sylvaine. In the same moment, Oryx sprang sideways, dropping to all fours with predatory grace. Vesper's lips curved upward in anticipation just before Oryx pounced, pinning her beneath him and pressing his muzzle against the hollow of her throat.

“Hi big guy,” she cooed.

“Mine.” He ground his hips into her and she gasped, shaking her head. “That’s my dad, right there. Is that my other dad? That’s Thackery?”

I walked toward her and kneeled. “It is, but I think they would like their own reunion.” We all glanced over to see long passionate kisses being shared.

And groping.

“Thackery was George.” Oryx said suddenly.

Vesper scrunched up her face in confusion. “What?”

Oryx's reply was cut short by the sound of shattering pottery. Across the cave, Thackery had upended the table in his haste, backing Sylvain against the rough stone wall. Their hands moved frantically between them, fumbling with laces and belts, desperate for contact after their long separation.

"Time for us to make our exit with our little pet," I murmured, exchanging a knowing glance with Oryx, whose rumbling purr vibrated through the cave air.

Chapter 52

Vesper

Oryx hoisted me over his shoulder, my body dangled helplessly against his back. As he turned, I caught a glimpse of my two fathers tearing frantically at each other's clothing, their reunion taking a passionate turn.

I blinked back the tears at the reunion but my emotions were everywhere.

I have two fathers. Two parents that never existed in my life before and now I am being dragged away by my two lovers.

Where should my attention go exactly?

Oryx stomped down the long hallway with Veylor at his side. I watched, mesmerized, as Veylor yanked at Oryx's cape, thesound of leather straps tearing from fabric sent heat rushing through me. It reminded me of those viral videos where a guy slowly unbuckles a belt, except this is real and happening right before my eyes.

At the hallway's end, we arrived at the room I'd escaped from earlier. Veylor kicked the door open with unnecessary force, showing off, clearly, and scanned the space with hungry eyes. A smile spread across his face as he exchanged a knowing nod with Oryx, who unceremoniously dumped me onto the mattress like a sack of potatoes.

I squealed and sat up straight, crossing my arms over my chest.