Page 45 of The Erion Triad

“It is us who are lucky to have found you,” Kyel said.

“Never doubt the fates for getting it right,” Zaen said.

She let their love wash through her and in return she opened her heart and let love flow from her soul. Gratefulness. Devotion. A love so vast and great it was immeasurable.

“See how lucky we are to have you?” Juliran said.

Zaen stroked her back. “Now, do you understand, Lucie?”

She did. How could she not? There was no place for lies or deceit. There was only pure truth. A wave of love pulsed through her. She gathered her mates around her and laid her cheek on Kyel’s chest. Zaen pressed on one side and Juliran the other. She was caged in protection and love. A deep, contented sigh rippled through her.

She was home. At last.

Kyel’s knuckle beneath her chin tilted her head back and she looked up.

His gaze was filled his regret. “We need to get back, Lucie.”

“Okay.” She could sleep now, safe in their arms and between their bodies.

“We can’t go back to your old bedroom on Earth. That isn’t real. We have to return to our real bodies,” Kyel said.

“Oh. Okay.” She guessed it was time to face reality. Her real body was weakened, tired, and abused.

“We can’t stay here,” Zaen said.

“Although you have freed us from your mind, the entity might still be using the power of the crystal and your body to manifest into our Homeworld,” Kyel said.

She would have to get used to this mate sync. They really did know everything she felt—which meant they would know the trepidation that coursed through her. She’d taken the crystal. She’d endangered everyone.

“You are not at fault, Lucie. You did it to protect us,” Juliran said.

“If that isn’t the actions of a true, brave mate, then we don’t know what is,” Zaen said.

Truth washed through her. They didn’t blame her, although there was a simmering anger at the entity that had tortured her for so long. Anger and an edge of desperation.

Everything was in danger and the longer they stayed here, the more dangerous it would be for everyone in their Homeland—Kira. Their parents.

She wasn’t going to let that happen.

There was no time to lose. She would live up to what her mates thought of her. It was time to stand up for herself and start fighting for what she cared about. She wasn’t going to let anything, or anyone take away her dreams anymore.

She straightened her shoulders. “What do I have to do?”

Kyel ran the pad of his thumb over her bottom lip. “Let the power of the crystal take us all back. Follow the blues and greens of the power of our Homeland. But, Lucie… be prepared…”

“We will be right by your side,” Zaen said.

“We will protect you.” Juliran slid his fingers into the hair at the nape of her neck.

“And I will protect you right back,” Lucie said.

Kyel chuckled. “Spoken like a true mate.”

She looked into his eyes, drawing from his strength, from Zaen’s unwavering certainty, and Juliran’s trust. She could do this.

She must.

She closed her eyes and let the glittering lights of the Erion crystal wash through her and guide her back to the heaviness in her body.

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