Page 20 of Sunken Empire

My cheeks must be as cherry red as the little firebomb candies, and I can't seem to bring myself to look in Zanthus and Zale's direction.

The latter doesn't give me much of a choice as he says my name in that same tone Zephyr just used. "Things work different here, damselfish. Even before the wars when numbers were even with men and women, it came as no surprise to find multiple mer in one relationship. Back then it was more of convenience and what each could bring to their own school, or family as humans call it."

"How's ours any different? If I weren't the only woman here, you might each have your own," I tell them, pushing against Zephyr's chest. I shouldn't be trying to claim these mer princes as my own when they don't have any options to choose from. There's definitely much better out there than my eccentric self.

With his hands still at my hips, he refuses to let me budge an inch as Zanthus speaks, "There could be three times as many females here, and we'd still choose you, Eurybia. Nothing has ever called to me like you did on the back of that ship."

"Besides," Zales starts as I force my gaze back to him from Zanthus, "you've got something inside that calls to each of us."

He runs a palm across his chest, drawing my attention there and I instantly know what he's talking about. That golden string I'd glimpsed momentarily between Zephyr and myself.

"Do we all have the strings?" I ask absentmindedly flicking my eyes back down to see if it's visible again.

Zeph looks up in shock, and my head turns to the others. One of Zanthus' eyebrows is pulled up in surprise, and Zale's mouth hangs open.

"What? Is that not normal?" I ask worriedly.

"You saw a fate bond?" Zale replies, ignoring my question.

I shrug. "I don't know what that is."

After I explain what I saw between Zeph and me, Zale metaphorically rocks back on his heels as Zephyr locks his arms completely around my ass and presses his face into my belly.

Without thought, I push my fingers through the strands of sandy blonde hair on his crown.

"Is that the only one you've seen?" Zale questions quietly.

At my nod, Zanthus grunts and gets up from the table to storm out the door.

"What's his problem?" I ask defensively since I feel like that was my fault.

"He's just jealous," Zeph murmurs against my stomach, his warm breath breaching the microscopic holes and teasing my bare skin.

Zale rests his forearms on the table as he studies my face. "I was going to wait until we knew for sure, but I think you may be our mate."

I let my expression show the confusion resting inside of me right now.

"We're fated to be together," he tries again.

Zephyr's shoulder shakes slightly underneath my palms before he twists his head to face his brother without lifting it from my stomach. "Humans don't believe in stuff like that, brother."

Zale doesn't acknowledge his retort. He simply watches the gears move in my mind and lets me catch up on this new train of information.

It doesn't take me long before I'm asking, "That thread means Zeph is my mate?"

I can feel the mer's lips turn up at my use of the name his brothers use while Zale nods.

"If I'm not mistaken, you'll have at least two more of those to myself and Zanthus. It's possible they may not make themselves known until after we unlock your magic. And now Zanthus' fit makes sense.

"He's worried he won't have one, isn't he?" I murmur.

Zale nods, but I know deep down his brother is fretting for nothing. Even if they didn't feel the pull, I can. Magic or no. These three mer princes are mine. I'd been determined to help them lift this curse, but it felt nothing like breaking out of the barrier and popping back in. I think he's right about awakening my magic. Just the touch I've felt so far woke up whatever's inside of me. As angry as I was about the thought of them abandoning me, once everything came to light there's been a slight pressure from somewhere deep in my chest that's been reaching for them.

Locking Zephyr's cheeks between my palms, I press a soft, less demanding kiss against his lips before telling them, "I'll be back."

"Go careful with him, damselfish. Out of any of us, he thinks he deserves the least," Zale pleads.

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