Page 3 of Their Fated Magic

“A gentleman’s agreement?” I repeat, not adding on that he’d need to be a gentleman to make that work, because that wouldn’t do anyone any good.

He nods, a small smile playing on his lips. “Yes.”

As he runs through the plan, all of us draw closer, intrigued. It’s not perfect, but it might be our only solution right now. And with everything going on, a temporary solution is better than no solution.

After we agree, shaking hands all around, Garrick takes off to arrange everything.

I’m feeling good, hopeful for the first time in a while, when Drogo turns to us with a smile. “You know what this means?”

I stare in confusion. “No, what?”

Did I miss something?

There’s something unreadable in his face. “We’ve just been given more time to come up with a solution. We still have a chance of getting out of this."

My stomach drops. “But… I thought we agreed? Consummating the marriage is necessary.”

Drogo glances at Arlys. “Remember, the best thing that can happen is that we dissolve this whole mess and go on to find our true mate. Right? The one we can feel through our connection. The one we share emotions with. The person we can’t live without. We deserve that. Don’t we?” When no one responds, he presses on. “Imagine not being tied to the witches or bears. Imagine not having to sit around and wait for them to betray us. Our people will be safer. It’ll be better for everyone.”

Arlys hesitates, but then nods. “Right. So, we’re back to the original agreement. No one touches her.” And his tone betrays him, because he sounds nearly as disappointed as I feel.

Which is really damn disappointed.

THREE

Tara

My room’s different. I pause in the doorway and take it all in. Two beds are now side by side, taking up most of one side of the large room. The beds have been made, sitting there neatly, as if they’d always been there. Which is weird.

What’s more, all four men are in the room, in various stages of undress. Like this is their daily routine, getting ready for bed in my room together. Has everyone lost their minds?

“What’s going on?” I ask, my gaze running over them. Garrick’s shirtless, and my eyes stay on his chest for a little too long before I look away at something–anything else. They land on Prince Drogo’s bare back, muscles rippling as he moves. Beside him, Prince Rinan is in nothing but his boxers, beaming back at me like the gorgeous man he is.

Finally, Prince Alrys takes a step closer to me, wearing pants that are riding dangerously low. “Are you alright? We heard you’d gone to the tower, but we wanted to give you a little time to yourself.”

For some reason, I think I would have preferred it if they checked on me. “I’m fine.”

His green eyes seem to be searching for meaning in my face. “Are you?”

I fold my arms over my chest.

He sighs, running his hands through his long, black hair. “We all owe you a massive apology. We shouldn’t have spoken about you like you were a prize instead of a person.”

All of the men, even Prince Drogo, have the decency to look ashamed. Which is new for them. But still doesn’t make what they did okay.

I stare at them, and apologies are murmured all around. There’s an uncomfortable tension in the air that I don’t like, and I realize that I have no idea what they can say to make me forgive them. It’s all just so fresh and so painful.

Prince Arlys clears his throat. “We also had a discussion about what to do moving forward. A discussion I hope you’ll approve of.” When I don’t respond, he continues. “We came to an agreement that it’s not right for any of us to stake a claim to have sex with you until you’re ready. And we know you aren’t ready for that right now, not after how we have acted. But,” he looks around at the three other men, “none of us trust the others alone with you, so we’re all sleeping together from this point forward.”

I see Prince’s Rinan’s expression shift. “Unless–”

“Not unless,” Drogo grumbles. “We came to an agreement. A better agreement than what we thought we were forced to agree to. This gives everyone exactly what they want, while sticking to the original plan.”

Garrick looks annoyed. “I would’ve preferred–”

“We know what you would’ve preferred,” Prince Rinan says grumpily, then shoots Drogo an angry look. “But we came to another cock-blocking agreement.” And his last words sound frustrated as hell.

Prince Arlys sighs, running his hand through his long, dark hair. “So, that’s the plan. We’re all sleeping together from now on. Without sex.”

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