Page 38 of Tempting Her Dragons

“Give us your pain.” Mave squeezes his fingers. “We can handle it.”

“You don’t want it,” I deny.

“Yes, we do,” King says firmly. I turn to one brother and then the other and burst into tears. They move closer, their bodies brushing my shoulders.

“She died. She left me. I loved her as a mother. She showed me how to be soft yet have the strength to do the hard things. She didn’t judge my feelings. I was able to be whatever I wanted to be with her. I loved Micah and my brothers, but it wasn’t the same. I was pissed. I am pissed. Why her? Why take her from a girl without a mom? She left me with men who knew nothing about raising a girl.” The rage flows through my body. “How could I live without her?”

“She loved you,” King says.

“She did. She would have done anything for me and did. We would dress up, and she would take me out for a meal. She told me we could still be tough and dress in a skirt. Wear the makeup. Be sexy, but still kick ass. She treated me as an equal.” I smile. “She had a temper. Sometimes, she would get so mad. She would yell about the men she saw abusing others. She made sure I knew how I should be treated.”

“I wish we could have met her,” Mav says.

“Maddy would have loved you. She could appreciate a well-put-together man. She wasn’t lacking in attention, but she couldn’t have cared less. When she dressed up, she would tell me to never dress for a man. Dress for yourself. Make yourself feel pretty. That’s all that matters.”

“How did she die?” King asks.

“Micah didn’t want to hurt me with the details. It’s so hard to kill a vampire; I had to know. At first, I let it go. She was still gone. It haunted Micah. Years later, I demanded he tell me, and after, I wished I hadn’t insisted.” I bunch the covers in myfists. “She met a man, a human man. He gained her trust, and she was killed because she did. She didn’t think he knew she was a vampire; he did. She was cuffed to a bed, and his friends burst through the door. They killed her just because. I don’t understand how people can be so cruel. Micah searched for her and found the men. He tortured them for hours. I felt horrible for him. With his abilities, he saw their memories. He barely slept for years, and I wasn’t there. I went to visit Bishop.” I’m not ready to explain the circumstances of my capture during my visit.

“You grieved for Micah,” Mav says.

“I was wrapped up in his pain and ignored mine,” I whisper. “I envy you.” I look at them. “I know it’s horrible what you went through, but I can’t help being envious of your mom. Yet, I’m thankful you found her.”

“It’s normal,” King says.

“I’m a shit person for thinking it,” I disagree.

“You aren’t,” Mav says. “We know how lucky we are.”

“Maddy had a purpose in your life. She was there for you when you needed a mother figure. I’m so fucking sorry she was taken from you,” King says, pulling my hip, and I roll toward him. “Grieve her. Be sad. Be pissed. With us, you can be whatever you need to be.”

“Shit,” I whisper, my emotions overflowing again. I bury my face in his neck and sob.

“We’re here,” Mav says, his heat at my back.

I cry. I cry more than I ever have. For so many years, I shoved everything deep inside. I had to keep it together for Micah, Bishop, and Laken. I couldn’t let them see the agony inside. I miss Maddy. She left a hole in my heart that has remained empty. Nothing could fill it. The guys tried. How could they when I told them I was fine? I keep a wall up. The only thing getting across is the fun Saphira.

Kingston and Maverick hold me close. They don’t expect me to be perfect. They’ve seen the other side, and they’re still here. My heart begins to heal, the hole filling a bit.

They aren’t a replacement for Maddy. They may take over my whole heart.

I’m on fire. I try to move, but King and Mav are wrapped around me. I stop trying and stare at King, who’s facing me. My eyes are puffy. I don’t remember falling asleep. They held me tight as I cried, giving me permission to let all my emotions finally be free.

I slowly lift my hand and trace King’s face. He’s so handsome. I love having his eyes on me, but it’s nice to really look at him without the distraction of his passionate stare. I’ve never been with two men. The moment in the living room was just a taste; I couldn’t help wanting more. Humans find it odd to be with multiple people at once. Growing up as a shifter, it was a fact of our lives. We know it is a possibility. What is wrong with having more than one person to love?

“Morning,” King rumbles, and I freeze with my finger on his jaw.

“Hey,” I say, pulling away, my hand landing between us.

“You don’t have to stop,” he says.

“I’m sorry,” I say automatically.

“Why? You can touch me whenever you want.” He trails his knuckles down my cheek.

“Did you sleep well?” I ask, ignoring the effect of his touch.

“The best I ever have.” He drops his hand over mine. “How do you feel?”

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