Page 73 of Blood of Two Crowns

My cheeks stained rose as I managed to finish my sentence.

“… For not allowing me to seduce you.”

A smirk curled his mouth as his hand slowly came up to tuck my hair behind my ear, and his thumb returned to stroking my cheek. “Of course… You’re mysoulbound.How could I ever do something I knew would wound you or betray your trust?”

My initial internal reactions to those words were a variety of words, all along the lines ofyou are not worthy.

And for the first time in my life, I paid them no heed. Yes, I had done horrible things, but I had also done selfless things and possessed a burning determination tocontinueto do selfless things.To be better. To do something good for the souls of Avernus and my people in Atratus.

The only way I could do that was by forgiving myself and letting go of my haunted past, which I could now recognize would otherwise hold me back like an anchor mooring a ship.

I had also begun to realize that one’s capacity to love was equal to the love they had for themselves. And I wanted to love mysoulbound.

All three of them.

Tension darkened Ataraxus’ features. “What will Nakoa and Malekai say?”

The question alone knocked the wind out of me.“Fuck…”

“That bad, huh?”

I shook my head, heaving a large sigh. “I mean… Nakoa is mysoulbound,so that would make yousoulboundtohim as well, right? And as for Malekai… We’ve claimed one another and bonded in the drakonati way. I’m not even sure what that means, to be honest, we didn’t get a chance to discuss it, but he is my chosen mate. He’s as much a part of my soul as Nakoa is…” My eyes flick back up to his nervously, “… and you, I imagine...”

“And how well do they get along?”

Oh gods…

I failed to hide my wince, inspiring a hoarse chuckle from Ataraxus. “Having more than onesoulboundisn’t a common thing where you’re from?”

“Unfortunately, no.”

He hums thoughtfully. “Malekai is your chosen mate… Have you ever wondered…”

My chest clenched in pain. “All the time…”

Ataraxus heaves a sigh. “And if he were to ever meet them…?”

“There’s nothing that could separate us. Of that, I’m sure. I would learn to love that person, if for no other reason than him. Just as the three of you will, I’m sure.”

Ataraxus pressed a kiss to my forehead. “Well, if it makes you feel any better, when a drakonati claims and bonds with another, the magic infusing their venom weaves itself into your magic, and thus your soul. It’s why it burns so much. It’s changing things on a physical and metaphysical level. So, for all intents and purposes, heisyoursoulbound…One of them,” he adds with a cool wink.

The fact that Malekai hid all of this from me creates a knot in my stomach that I can’t seem to bury away. Until the heat radiating from Ataraxus seemed to increase, and I caught a flicker of the beast inside of him.

“… But you should know now that even though there may be two other males with whom you share part of your soul, there will be parts of you that belong only to me.”

His eyes darkened in a way that told me there was something more beneath the surface than just the warmth and chivalry he exuded. I couldn’t help but feel guilty when arousal wove through me. Ataraxus’ nostrils flared as a uniquely smug, masculine grin curled a corner of his mouth. His thumb brushed my lower lip, tugging it down enough to graze my teeth and my fangs.

“There may be a pantheon of gods, but I will be the only one you worship...”

My fang nicked his finger, and he spread the blood across my lips. Without consciously meaning to, my tongue sought out his sustenance as I held his gaze. Arousal and hunger bloomed deep as the space between us pulled tight. Pre-cum leaked from the large, thick length pressing against my bare skin. His pupils blew wide, and it was clear there was something more he wanted to say…Do.

But he’s an observant male. Guilt fisted my heart, and his eyes tracked my throat dipping, my breath catching.

Ataraxus’ dark, sultry expression lifted like a cloud revealing the sun. “Don’t worry, Mareina. I will earn their respect. And yours. They’ll be eager to share you with me.”

I finally exhaled the breath I’d been holding.

“He looks a lot like you, by the way…”

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