Page 42 of Revenge is a Witch

I stare at them, speechless. I never expected them to be this... accepting. “But... what about jealousy?”

Sebastian scoffs lightly, waving off the concern. “I told you last night, it’s not like that with mates. We’re not wired for jealousy when it comes to the bond. We might not like each other, but we won’t resent you for being with both of us.”

Derek gives me a reassuring smile. “As long as you’re happy, Z, that’s what matters.”

I’m stunned. The weight of the situation starts to lift, but not entirely. "I just… I don’t want this to be complicated."

Sebastian chuckles darkly. “Oh, sweetheart, it’s already complicated. But that’s part of the fun, isn’t it?”

I can’t help but smile a little at that. Complicated or not, maybe this could work. I close my eyes and rub my temples, feeling the weight of the entire situation press down on me like a boulder. Everything's been spiraling for the past few days, and it’s like I'm just trying to keep up. The silence in the room only amplifies my racing thoughts, and before I know it, I let out a long, exhausted sigh.

"Alright," I mutter, my voice softer than I intend. Then, louder, more desperate, "Alright! You win. Both of you. I... I don’t know how this whole mate thing is supposed to work, or how I’m supposed to handleanyof this... but I care about both of you. Okay?" My hands drop from my temples, and I open my eyes, looking between the two of them. "I care aboutbothof you."

Their faces stay still, watching me, waiting for the flood they clearly see coming. So, of course, I don’t disappoint. The words spill out faster than I can stop them.

"I’ve been trying to wrap my head around it, but it’s insane! You’re both...different. Like, literally different species that don’t even like each other most of the time! That’s a thing, right?" I gesture wildly between them. "And yet, somehow, you’re both here. And you’re getting along and talking like this isn’t completely nuts! And then there's me, thinking every time you walk into the room together there’s gonna be some sort ofhigh noon showdown, and I can’t deal with the tension of waiting for one of you to make a move that’s gonna push the other one too far."

Derek and Sebastian exchange a glance, but I barrel on, completely ignoring it.

"And at the same time," I continue, voice rising, "it’s kind of... invigorating? Like, this whole ridiculous idea that I could have both of you? I don’t know what that means for me—maybe I’m losing it—but the way you two keep showing up and I keep expecting one of you to throw a punch or something, it’s driving meinsane! And the flirting? The touching?The kissing?"

I feel my cheeks heat up as I remember how they’ve each had their moments with me—very heated moments—and I groan, feeling the weight of it all tumble out.

"I can’t take another night or morning of you two just... just playing with me! Toying with me while I’m over here trying not to lose my damn mind because, yes—yes—I wantbothof you!" The words come out in a rush, like a dam bursting, and once they’re out, there’s no going back. "There, I said it! Iwantboth of you. I don’t know how the hell we’re supposed to make that work, but... but I can’t stand the idea of picking one of you and hurting the other. And frankly, I don’t think Ishouldhave to choose because why the hell can’t I just have both of you?"

I stop, breathless, my heart racing as I wait for them to react. It’s like a weight has been lifted off my chest, but at the same time, I feel like I’ve just thrown myself into the deep end of the ocean without knowing how to swim.What the hell have I just admitted?

Sebastian’s lips curl into a slow, dangerous smile, his eyes glinting with that usual cocky gleam. "Well, that’s the most honest thing I’ve heard all week."

Derek, on the other hand, looks at me with this strange combination of relief and warmth. "Zaria..." His voice is low, almost tender. "You’re not crazy. You’re just... you."

"Yeah," I mutter, "and apparently ‘me’ is someone who’s okay with two guys vying for her attention at the same time. I mean... what the hell, right?"

Sebastian chuckles, stepping closer. "Who says we’re vying? I think we’ve already established that we’re not fighting over you."

"Exactly," Derek adds, crossing his arms as he leans back against the desk. "We’re not interested in making you choose. We’re interested in you being happy."

I look between them, my heart still racing, but there’s a strange sense of calm settling over me now. "So... you’re really okay with this? With me wanting... both of you?"

Sebastian’s smirk only deepens. "More than okay, sweetheart. You’re more than enough to handle the two of us. The real question is... are you okay with it?"

Derek tilts his head, his eyes locking onto mine with that steady gaze that always manages to calm me down. "You don’t have to figure everything out right now, Z. We’ll take it one step at a time, but... yeah, we’re fine with sharing."

I let out a shaky laugh, finally feeling like I can breathe again. "You two are seriously the most ridiculous people I’ve ever met."

Sebastian raises an eyebrow, amusement dancing in his eyes. "And yet, here you are, wanting both of us."

I roll my eyes, but a smile tugs at my lips despite everything. "Yeah, well, you’re both annoying as hell. But I guess you’re my annoying idiots."

Derek grins. "We’ll take that."

“I’m fine with you taking your time, Zaria,” Sebastian says, his voice softer than usual, “but when you’re ready, you need to tell us. You need to be sure.”

I blink, confusion crossing my face. “Tell you... what exactly?”

Sebastian straightens up, glancing briefly at Derek before he looks back at me. “When you’re ready to make it official. For vampires, it’s the first time blood is drawn from a fated mate. That’s when you get marked with our symbol, and from that moment on... you’re mine.”

Derek clears his throat, nodding as he adds, “It’s the same for wolves. One bite, and you’re marked as ours. But, given the... unique situation here, it has to happen at the same time.”

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