Page 54 of Dragon Awakened

But my focus returns to Storm, who's taking this better than Malik did, in that he has yet to actively threaten to kill-slash-imprison any of my other companions. That's not saying much, though.

His jaw tight, he curls and uncurls his fists. "How."

"It's a really, really long story."

"And one that would possibly be better told elsewhere," Jianyu interjects.

And yeah, he's probably got a point. The portal I opened landed us in the central green in the middle of Unity's little downtown. It's the middle of the night, so the area isn't crowded or anything, but this isn't exactly private, either.

As if to underscore the point, two dragons soar into the air overhead at just that moment. I have half a second to be alarmed before I recognize the shimmering white scales of Freya's dragon and the deep black ones of Jett's. They touch down not a dozen yards away, shifting back into their human forms. Freya's gaze is wary, but I smile at her in reassurance.

As soon as Freya's there, Amy, Grace, Rhiannon and the rest of our friends aren't far behind. I have to make round after round of introductions.

As Amy hugs me, she shoots a concerned glance my way, mouthing, "Is this the ex or the asshole?"

"The ex," I whisper back.

She winces, and a new wave of anxiety crests over me.

"Let me know if I need to..." She less than subtly mimes hitting him over the head with what I can only imagine is a shovel, and I manage a ghost of a laugh.

"You'll be first in line." I glance past her at my cousin, who's taking in all of this craziness with a surprising amount of calm. My heart, shredded as it is, swells just a little, having both of my best friends in the world in one place. "Come on. Let me introduce you to the person who'll be second in line to deck him if he steps out of line."

I lead Amy over to Brynn, and within seconds, Amy is throwing her arms around my cousin as if they've been friends forever. She promises to help Brynn and Jimmy get settled, and I rest a little easier, knowing Brynn's transition to the Air-Kingdom-exile life is off to as smooth of a start as a person could hope for.

I'm not sure I can say the same for Storm.

The weight of his gaze presses on me until I can't bear it anymore. I glance his way, and the hurt and confusion simmering in his eyes is a vise squeezing hard around my heart. Our connection, still new and unconsummated, tugs at the inside of my chest with force.

But there's more than a handful of feet separating us. There are years of history. Months of pain.

My three other mates. My destiny.

And the impossible hand of fate.

By some unspoken agreement, my mates and I all hold our tongues as we make our way back to the suite where we're staying. As much as I want to reach out for them and take comfort in their touch, I keep my arms crossed tightly over my chest. I can't lean into one of them until I can lean into all of them.

When we arrive, Storm eyes our quarters warily. The place is all but bare; we kept having to flee various kingdoms with only the clothes on our backs.

Our scent is strong on the air, though. I breathe in deeply. The first tendrils of Storm's rainwater and cedar scent enter into the mix, and the combination soothes a ragged part of my soul. As tense as the situation might be right now, his being here feels right.

He's the missing piece that I've been searching for.

Ironic, considering that once upon a time, he was basically my other half.

So much has changed since then, though. He shifts his weight, glancing between me and the three other men closed into this room with us.

"So, you all..." With unmistakable innuendo, he gestures among the four of us. He trails off, his expression pained, but there's a spark in our bond. A sizzling flicker of heat.

"That's right," Rafe says.

Storm looks to me. "And I..."

"Had better get used to it," Rafe interjects again.

"Rafe," I try.

"What?" Rafe says. "It's true."

---