Page 37 of The Erion Triad

“Gods. She’s in such pain and yet her first thought is of the other human females,” Juliran said.

“As well as being our mate, she is a rare gem,” Zaen said.

The muscle ticked at Kyel’s temple as they all stared at her cradled in Juliran’s arms. “I don’t know what we did to deserve the gods’ honor, but we are truly blessed, brothers.” An explosion made them all crouch over her, protecting her from the debris that fell from the ceiling. “Come, we need to get to our shuttle.”

As one, they pounded down the corridor and the scene washed away. Back in the bedroom, all three of them stood staring at her.

“Of course, I would be concerned for the others. Anyone would. We’d been caged for weeks with only ourselves for company. Terrible situations build close friendships,” she said.

“You were in terrible pain, Lucie. I’ve seen hardened soldiers mindless in similar situations, yet your first thought was for others,” Juliran said.

She shook her head. She thought she’d shown them who she was, and yet they still didn’t understand.

“She doesn’t believe us,” Zaen said.

“Then we will show her more,” Kyel said.

A garden unfolded around them. She was there, walking down one of the pathways in the palace’s garden. She loved this part of the garden. It was secluded, the pathways filled with exotic flowers. They’d told her the flowers used to glow at night, infused with the Erion crystal’s energy, but they hadn’t for ten long years. Not since the crystal had been stolen.

They were disappointed, but she thought they were still lovely. After all, flowers on Earth didn’t glow. They reminded her of home in a way. They were imbued with perfume and she’d always walked slower than everyone else to smell them.

This day, Juliran, Kyel, Zaen, and Kira had walked on ahead and she’d fallen behind inhaling the scent of the flowers. Kira saw her and trotted back down the pathway.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I guess I got side-tracked,” Lucie said.

“That’s okay. I’m afraid we’re too fast for you.” Kira smiled.

“You’re a lot taller than me. You have longer legs,” Lucie said.

“But the best things come in petite packages,” Kira said. She touched the flower Lucie had been admiring. “These are my favorites as well. They also grow in blue, but the pink ones like this one are rarer. Geralt, our gardener, is talented.”

“We say when you have a talent for gardening that you have a green thumb,” Lucie said.

Kira laughed, the sound melodious. “But grass is blue!”

“It’s green where I’m from,” Lucie said.

“That’s strange, but it would also be beautiful to see… Lucie, I’m so sad you can’t get back home. If only we knew where your planet was, my brothers would take you there.”

A strange expression stole over her face, seen from the perspective of her men, she guessed. At first, it was longing and then it turned into something pensive, then became harsh. She seemed as though she thought of something bad, and then it morphed into something more terrified. Only she knew the run of thoughts in that moment.

She’d thought of Earth, of going home, but then she’d thought of Grant and the way he had used her. How hard she had to work, hours upon hours, while he’d lied to her.

She’d known what he was doing all along. That he used her as his work horse. While he partied and slept around, she was the one who paid the bills and the rent and kept herself tied down, never to pursue her dream of one day becoming a performer. Singing was the only time she had any peace. The only time where she was free. Grant had known that and dangled it in front of her, the golden carrot in the form of his contacts in the music industry that he’d never once mentioned her to them about.

It was only when she’d come home from work early one day and caught him in bed with some stranger that she’d grabbed the keys to her little red car and driven and driven and driven to the middle of nowhere. She’d been abducted and tortured, but then her men had rescued her and despite everything that had happened, they were the bright spot. When they’d told her they were her mates, she’d been astounded, and when she got over the shock, the first strains of hope had woven into her heart.

Then she’d heard the voice in her head that told her she didn’t deserve them. That when they found out who she really was, they wouldn’t want her. That nobody else had wanted her and they wouldn’t be any different. And she’d listened to that voice because deep down inside, where it really counted, she knew it was right.

“Lucie? What’s wrong?” Kira said.

She shook herself and smiled, but the strain on her face was evident even though she thought she’d hidden it. “Nothing important. I’ll show you something we do on Earth.”

Lucie picked the flower Kira had admired and put it behind her head.

Kira laughed. “You wear flowers like this?”

“If I find something similar, I’ll show you how to make a daisy chain,” Lucie said.

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