Page 53 of Gifted Destiny

The influence of time is an important factor, however. I wish we had more time, both individually and together. She has just been thrust into a new world and a new role. Adding new relationships to that can be overwhelming.

If we had more time, I would insist on actual dates. We could enjoy extensive foreplay and intimacy – so much that penetration seemed like just another thing we did together. It would be playful, comfortable, and natural ….

We don’t have the luxury of procrastination. My farsight abilities have become more insistent with the ebb of my wild magic, and I fear we’ll need to act sooner than we realize. The possible futures portraying me in a prison cell have dwindled, but this outcome will escalate Addington’s anger. The only other fragment of clarity I’ve been presented is to trust in the detective we spoke with on the phone.

When Garrett emerges, the three of us are waiting. Although the shifter’s demeanor conveys a slight swagger, I see the signs of shame. Knowing him like I do, this emotion isn’t because of the sex but what instigated it.

“You apologized properly?” My words are clipped because he deserves every bit of anger and censure. Avery’s eyes glimmer crimson, and Kodi crosses his arms over his chest, intentionally hovering several inches above Garrett. I know my brother hates this because few people are taller than he is.

I see the flinch before he manages to hide it. “I did. I begged for forgiveness, and our benevolent mate honored me by accepting it.” The library indicates this as the truth, and his wordiness is further proof of his remorse. My shoulders relax.

“Lucky for you that she’s so benevolent,” Kodi grunts. “Now, show us.”

“Show you what?” Garrett maintains a blank expression as he flips through the logbook on the desk. Most of the items are useless because Sage, Zosia, and the goblins are adept without tools, but they are a great distraction.

Kodi rolls his eyes. The ghost hadn’t needed a boost from me to get fully dressed, which means he should be able to achieve solidity without my magic. “You know what we want to see. I showed mine and Avery showed his.”

I don’t need magic to interpret Kodi’s emotions when my brother whips off his shirt. Although Garrett wears form-fitting clothes, they don’t reveal the tight cut of his muscles. Without the layer of fabric, he resembles a Greek sculpture. The ghost’s uncertainty regarding his after-death manhood makes him regret taunting my brother. I’ve seen Garrett shirtless so often that it no longer fazes me.

Since Kodi is sulking, I look for the mark. It’s relatively small, considering the large canvas, but my brother has always disliked external body modifications like ink and piercings. I echo Kodi’seye-roll when I realize Garrett could have shown us the feather without removing his shirt.

“Did she tell you what it means?” I ask after I describe the tattoo to Avery.

“Zosia said it’s Egyptian – the symbol of the Goddess Ma’at. It stands for justice, order, and truth.” Although Garrett tries to maintain a casual tone, his chest puffs with pride. The meaning is perfect, but I’m afraid it will further inflate my brother’s hero complex.

“What does the bond feel like?” My tone is shy but eager, and my brother’s expression warms with understanding. It’s been the two of us against a cruel, uncaring world for as long as I can remember. I’d always hoped we’d find this particular future but feared we’d always be alone.

Garrett shrugs his shirt back on and turns his full attention toward me. Yesterday, Avery might have turned away and let us have the illusion of privacy. Although he doesn’t hover like Kodi, he no longer pretends. Kodi has never indulged in the subterfuge. He overhears every conversation and gives zero fucks about propriety. I actually adore this.

“It feels a bit uncomfortable at first,” my brother admits. “You know those cultures where the husband moves in with the in-laws after getting married? Pretend that the family starts treating their new son like they’ve known him for years.” Garrett pauses and waits for my nod to see if I’m following along. I’m not personally acquainted with cultures like this, but it provides a straightforward narrative.

“Good. Now, pretend that all of your new relatives are books and goblins, your wife’s family is super powerful, and she has other husbands. One is a nosy, annoying-as-fuck ghost, one is a prim, proper, and deadly vampire, and one is an alpha shifter who is occasionally an asshole. That’s your scenario. In mine, my wife still has to sleep with my brother ….” His gaze turnspensive, and I finally lose control of the laughter I’ve been trying to restrain.

Avery’s lips twitch and Kodi snorts, muttering thatoccasional assholeshould actually befrequent asshole.

Garrett’s description, while hilarious, isn’t an exaggeration of the truth. When we were younger, we swore that we wouldn’t let a woman come between us after watching several dramatic movies. Since we arrived here, I’ve worried he’d regret this promise. A traditionalist might think Zosia is separating us, but she’s doing the opposite. We don’t have to worry about our wives hating each other.

We whirl around when Zosia flings the door open and emerges on her crutches. Her cheeks are rosy with color, damp strands of hair escape her messy bun, and her eyes sparkle with energy, magic, and satisfaction.

My heart thumps against my ribs as I behold her beauty. Although she’s appeared in my visions a million times, nothing could prepare me for how brightly she shines in person. She isn’t perfect in form or feature, but her strength and resiliency draw me to her.

All four of us turn to stare, even the sightless vampire. Although her flush deepens, she doesn’t falter like she might have a week ago.

“Good morning,” she says when we just stare like love-struck morons. She crutches toward the circulation desk, her movements strong and steady.

“What? Do I have something on my face?”

“Beauty,” Kodi drawls with a wide, cheesy smile.

“Fates save me,” Garrett groans. He waits until she sits down before taking her crutches and placing them within arm’s reach. Then, he leans over and kisses the top of her head. It’s freaking adorable. “The ghost might sound corny, but he’s not lying. There’s nothing wrong with your face or you.”

When he steps away, Avery crouches in front of Zosia’s chair. “Oui.Your aura is especially blinding this morning,mon trésor,” the vampire croons. “Your energy and stamina appear much improved. How do you feel?”

“Great. I should be tired, but I feel energized instead.”

“The bonds are giving you strength,” Avery murmurs as he presses his lips to hers. I’m amazed that he finds them without fail every time he kisses her.

I observe these interactions without moving. Warmth spreads through my chest every time Zosia accepts a compliment without denying it. She doesn’t have a feather on her neck, but I think I see golden ink near the nape of her neck.

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