Page 121 of Gift from the Tree

Damn Gaster keeps some important shit to himself sometimes. I’ve never heard of a Nexus being able to communicate like that with each other before. Fuck, that’s a powerful ability.

“No other Nexus has been able to do that. Why would we?” Caspian, the master of doubt, asks.

“Well, I don’t know if we would be able to. It’s just a possibility. The other Nexus referred to their member who had a Mind Transference gift as incredibly strong. And they had a true Primary. So, we have similarities.” Willow shrugs. Well, I don’t know anyone with mind abilities as strong as Tillman, so to me it makes perfect sense.

I can’t wait to whisper sweet nothings to everyone.

Caspian hums, probably running through the other possibilities of what could happen to our gifts if we bond. I’m not sure what could really change with mine. I’m a thirty-foot fire-breathing dragon. I started out half that size and over the years have grown, but I haven’t grown larger than thirty feet in two years, so I think I’m capped.

“I’m sure I can find the answer easy enough, but how can someone decide to just be a Primary?” Willow asks, causing all of us to growl. Her eyes widen a fraction, clarifying quickly, “I don’t mean me. I mean those who don’t have a true Primary bond with a Nexus. How do they just decide to become a Primary.”

“As you know, the true Primary bond is rare. It used to not be a couple millennia ago, when almost everyone would be blessed with a true Primary Nexus. A true Primary is equal in strength to her members but also made perfectly for each of them, keeping the whole group balanced. So when less and less bonds showed up yearly, people decided compatibility could be determined on a power scale. As long as the Primary was equal in strength or close enough, then they could forge a bond,” Corentin explains all diplomatically and shit. He should’ve just said if they were a powerful enough match, they’d cast an enchantment, have a fucking orgy, then bam, done.

“That’s why that crazy bitch keeps threatening me. She wants to be your Primary. I’ll kill her.” Willow’s tone is deadly, shocking the other three, but I find her possessive side so fucking sexy. I laugh as she shakes her head out a little bit and mumbles a “Sorry, hormones.”

“Who’s threatening you?” Corentin steps closer to her.

“That crazy fucking girlfriend of yours.” She squints her eyes, sending him a dirty look. He looks around at us for help, which makes me laugh harder. He’s so out of his depth with her, I fucking love it. She’s going to put him in his stuck-up little place.

“Gia,” I supply helpfully.

“Who?” he asks me like he has no fucking idea who I’m talking about.

“Gima, Draken. Her stupid name is Gima.” Willow grins at me, happy I don’t know the girl’s proper name. Tillman and Caspian throw their heads back laughing at Corentin, who’s standing there pinching the bridge of his nose with one hand, the other on his hip.

“You have nothing to worry about with her. It was a one-time thing, and she’s not taking the hints apparently. I’ll take care of it,” he swears to her, trying to calm the possessive storm brewing in Willow’s eyes right now. Damn, I know it’s the Primary hormones, but I hope she stays possessive over us. My dick is rock-hard right now.

“Once she realizes we have our true Primary, she’ll move on. Probably to Ry and his guys.” I try to help even though I’d rather instigate.

“She better stay the fuck away from them too,” Willow says just as angrily.

Tillman growls low in his chest. “Why would you care if she went after Ry’s Nexus?”

“He didn’t tell you?” she asks, looking at Tillman, then at Caspian, then back at Tillman.

“Tell me what?” he grunts at Caspian.

“Not Caspian, Ry. Ry didn’t tell you?” She pauses before spitting it out. “Oakly is Ry, Nikoli, San, and Jamie’s true Primary.”

“What?” The three of us shout at the same time. Glancing over at Caspian, he wears a shit-eating grin, amused that he knew and we didn’t.

“How did he know and we didn’t?” I ask, jealous that he knows things I don’t.

“They all came to spend time with Oakly when I left. Caspian met them to transport to the lake house together.” She throws an apologetic look at Caspian for throwing him under the bus, but I can tell she’s trying to be as open and honest with us as she can. This is what she expects from us.

“You all can be as mad as you want, but the little Primary is the one who asked me to come get her. I just followed the instructions she gave me,” he nonchalantly comments without even looking at the rest of us.

“That makes sense why he was pissed and looking for her after the mission and wouldn’t tell us why.” Corentin pieces together. “Did something happen?” He directs that to Willow.

“Yes, but I’m not telling you without Oakly’s okay. It’s her and her Nexus’ issues. I’m only privy to it because of best friend privileges.”

“I’m his best friend,” Tillman argues.

“Then ask him. You could invite them over for dinner before we get off break.” Willow shrugs, leaving the decision completely in Tillman’s hands.

I lace my fingers behind my head and lean back in the lounge chair. Watching Willow and my brothers talk in small conversations, coexisting peacefully, I can’t help but be filled with hope. No one’s fighting, Caspian’s here with us—even if he’s in his own world, he’s out here—Willow hasn’t cried at all since letting Corentin and Tillman get things out in the open, and she’s held down all her breakfast.

I’d never want to rush her feelings or hope she just let us off the hook, but I can’t help but be thankful we’re on break and all at home. I slept outside her door on the floor last night just to be closer to her. For almost a month, we spent nearly every night in one another’s beds. Some nights were spent with her moaning my name and others with her just cuddled in my arms. I miss that. I need that.

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