Page 29 of Gathered Sparkle

When we finally pull apart, her eyes are still closed, her lips parted slightly, while her breath mingles with mine.

“Well…” her eyelashes flutter open, and she looks up at me, a small, dazed smile tugging at her lips, “… that’s one way to make a point.”

Resting my forehead against hers, I let out a breathless chuckle, my thumb still brushing her jaw. “Sorry it took so long.”

Sylus steps in behind her, his hands sliding around her waist in a possessive hold, pulling her against his chest so she’s sandwiched between us.

I lift my gaze, locking eyes with him over her head. “You planning to fight me for her?”

I don’t want to fight him, not really, not after she said she wouldn’t want us to anyway. But if it meant keeping her—I’d fight.

“Can you share?” Sylus arches a brow.

I let out a dry laugh. “I’m a fuckingtwin, Sy.”

“Right.” He pulls her even closer to him. “But can you sharewith me?”

I glance down at Glitter, her eyes filled with curiosity as if she’s waiting for my answer just as much as Sylus is. She fits so perfectly between us, and something inside me eases, some last remnant of hesitation or fear melting away.

My gaze shifts back to Sylus. “Yeah.” I nod. “I guess I can.”

“Then I’m not gonna fight you.” Sylus’s answering grin spans from ear to ear. “You’d lose anyway. I’d be more worried ifshewanted to fight me on it.”

“Can you stop that shit already?” I chuckle, my thumb still stroking her jaw. “But yeah, I bet she’d kick your ass.”

“Guys, I’m still bleeding.” Glitter lets out an exasperated sigh, her eyes flicking between us. “Can we do something about that, please? My head is all woozy already.”

What the fuck?

“You’re bleeding?” My heart drops into my stomach, and I immediately take a step back, my eyes scanning her for any sign of injury.

“Yep.” She glances down at her upper arm, where there’s what looks like a bullet graze. The wound itself seems as if it’sstopped actively bleeding, though it must’ve bled a lot earlier, judging by her uniform. It’s stained with blood, the discoloration is only hard to notice thanks to the deep red fabric.

How could I have missed that?

“Why didn’t you say something?”

She gives me a look. “You have to listen when I speak, Koen.”

“All of me listens when you speak,” I murmur and take her hand, my thumb brushing over her knuckles. “Go sit down, and I’ll get Alaric to look at you.”

“Alaric can do that?” she asks, a small furrow forming between her brows.

Sylus grins. “He’s our own little nurse.”

“He’s not…” I glare at him, “… but he can clean and stitch that wound. Trust me, he knows what he’s doing.”

Glitter’s expression flickers with uncertainty, her lips pressing together for a moment. “Okay…”

“We could take you to a hospital if you want.” I offer her the option. She’s been through enough, and if she doesn’t want some half-assed patch job, I get it. “It’s your call.”

“I don’t think that’s the best idea,” Sylus interrupts, his tone laced with amusement. “Considering Sparkle here is kind of on the run from the police.”

I freeze, my eyes snapping to hers. “What?”

“Well…” Glitter starts, glancing between us, her smile awkward as she lifts her shoulders in a small shrug—only for her face to twist in pain from the movement. She winces, then presses out, “More like on the run from Ezra… after I punched him in the face.”

Both Sylus and I gape at her, stunned.

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