Page 39 of Dragon Rivals of New York

“I’m n-n-not p-p-picking anyone,” I try to say. If I decide to mate, I can’t pick between them. I know that much. I’d rather forget them both than pit them against each other. It might not be kind, but it’s fair.

Neither of them acknowledges I said anything.

“I’m not just handing my mate over to you, Kyro,” Jethro says. “Why does it have to be one or the other of us?”

“Because it’s fair. It’s justice. You owe me!”

“I owe you? What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

“You stole my mate from me, so now the goddess is giving me yours.”

“How the hell did I steal your mate?!”

“You killed her!”

“You’re fucking holding her right now! She’s fine.”

I’m not sure I’m really fine. I feel cold and clammy and it’s hard to focus, but I’m definitely not dead.

“Not Sora. Nadia!”

“Who?”

“You can’t even fucking remember her,” Kyro growls. “How many people have you killed that you could forget that easily?” His voice cracks. Is he crying?

I want to comfort him, but I’m still shaking, eyes heavy, body weak.

“What the hell is going on in here?” A new voice. Feminine.

“Get out of here, Jasmine,” Kyro says.

“No. A guest reported you, Ky. Your girl is dropping and you’re fighting!”

The room goes eerily silent. Kyro pulls the blanket away from my face and looks at me. His eyes are glassy, and his face is red.

“Fuck,” he curses under his breath. “I’m sorry, Ara’ha.”

“Me too.” Jethro rubs my back.

“Get her some fruit juice,” Kyro says.

“And chocolate,” Jethro adds.

I guess they’re talking to Jasmine. Has Kyro ever tied Jasmine up the way he just tied me up? Did he like it better with her? She probably didn’t freak out like this afterwards. Heavy tears sting my eyes. But it’s not Jasmine I’m really wondering about. “W-who was N-Nadia?”

“We can talk about it later,” he says. “Right now, I just want to take care of you.”

“Here, drink.” Jethro holds a glass out, and Kyro helps me sit up and drink. The apple juice tastes even sweeter than normal. I can’t seem to drink it fast enough, suddenly realizing howthirsty I am.

“Slow down, lovely.” Jethro pulls away the glass and sets a piece of chocolate on my lips. I open and eat it. “That’s it, there’s our girl.”

“You did so well, Sora. You were perfect.”

“But why do I feel…” I can’t even explain what I’m feeling. The shivering is calming down now, but I’m still shaky, exhausted. Kind of like I felt after the woods, but ten times worse.

“It’s okay. This is on us.” Kyro lays down with me in his arms. Jethro puts another blanket over us, then drops on his side in front of me while Kyro spoons me from behind. Jasmine left at some point, though I’m not sure when, and the curtain’s been drawn over the window, blocking out our audience.

A crushing sense of vulnerability hits me. Even curled up with Jethro and Kyro, covered in blankets with the window closed, I feel exposed. I can’t believe I just did that. Talk about jumping into the deep end. It was everything I wanted and have secretly dreamed about, but it was intense. And on the heels of the vulnerability, I feel… ashamed. What would my parents think? My pastor? Shit, I’m probably going to hell now, aren’t I?

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