Page 4 of Chaos Tempted

“What are you saying?” Jaden’s saddened violet eyes cut my heart to pieces. “You don’t want to be around us at all?”

I turn away from his gaze, afraid I will lose my conviction. “You three are the most eligible bachelors in the kingdom. If I thought elves hated me and I was under attack before, they will truly hate me if I claimanyof you. I’m sure I will have instant death curses placed on me if I mate bondallthreeof you, as you’re suggesting I do.”

“I won’t be influenced by outside pressure,” Eldrin says with irritation at the thought.

Jaden sighs. “Wyn, I understand your concern, but we aren’t all that eligible or sought after.”

“Speak for yourself,” Prince Eldrin jokes.

“This is serious,” I say through tears that are ready to bubble over. “I don’t want any of you to suffer because of a mate bond with me. If I stay here with you, I will likely be killed. Then you’ll be in agony because of the magic of the bond.”

“We would be in agony with or without a bond if we lost you,” Oakes argues. “I’m more concerned withyoursafety.”

“Don’t encourage her fears,” Eldrin grumbles.

“He doesn’t need to.” My voice becomes more resolute. “We have all suffered because I am a human in the Elven realm and with your interest in me.”

Eldrin clasps my forearm firmly but gently to hold my attention. “How about we meet with Mage Neven and see what counsel she might give us? I was under the impression from our previous conversations that she believed youbelongedwith us… here.”

“Alright, I suppose it won’t hurt to have some guidance from a mage.” I shrug. “I’ll wait to hear what the seer has to say. But you did say the decision for my future was ultimately up to me.”

I hate that my first real choice I get to make in my entire life might be to walk away from my potential mates in order to keep them safe from me.

“I did.” Eldrin squeezes my hand. “And I meant it. But that doesn’t mean I will give up so easily on convincing you to be my mate. On the contrary, my Elven stubbornness will be at its most annoying from now on.”

I smile despite my misgivings.

3

THREATS

JADEN

After breakfast, Eldrin kisses the top of Wyn’s head and departs to meet with a delegation from a neighboring kingdom. While Oakes shows Wyn out of the dining room, Eldrin pulls me aside and says quietly, “I want one of us with Wyn at all times.”

“I was about to suggest the same,” I whisper back. “She’s correct to be concerned about her safety.”

“Wyn is safestwithus,” Eldrin says as we both watch her petite form walk down the hall with the larger than average elf, Oakes.

“Should we tell her what Mage Neven prophesied?”

“Not yet. Wyn already realizes she’s a target for both realms.” Eldrin finally looks back at me. “If the mage finds it necessary to reveal that Wyn’s blood ismeantto start the war, then so be it. I’m worried Wyn would do something drastic to prevent a war and inadvertently cause one.”

“Like leaving us?” I raise a questioning eyebrow.

“Exactly.” Eldrin presses his lips thin, wrangling his emotions. “And my heart would break.”

I nod to the prince in a quick goodbye. “I will keep her safe today.”

As I walk down the hallway, I’m taken in by her beauty once again when I catch up with Wyn. She’s smiling up at Oakes. My heart pounds with all the love I have for her. I know it’s absurd to feel so much when we have only known each other for such a short time. But what a time it has been. If tragedy and trauma make friends of strangers, then our experiences have shown me her true nature. And I’m in awe of her resilience and spirit.

“Jaden?” Wyn looks at me. “So, you are mykeepertoday?”

The words sting for a moment until I sense she’s teasing me. I quickly realize that she’s no longer hurt by her assumption that I only wished to be her keeper.

When I asked to be her mate, I hadn’t thought she would even consider me as a possibility. Now Wyn is consideringallof us, even though she protests it’s a dangerous idea. Will I be lucky enough to be chosen?

“Or maybe you’re my keeper?” I chuckle. “What would you like to do today, love?”

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