Page 27 of Fractured Constellations
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
“PROVIDER” BY SLEEP TOKEN
LUNA
Just as Blade finishes pulling the socks on me, the door opens, Chase and Thorn walking in. Thorn is carrying a bowl, the smell of creamy Nutella porridge wafting over to me and making my tummy growl.
“I added some ground flaxseed,” he says, Blade helping me into the bed as Thorn walks around and gets in on the other side. “Early research suggests it can help reduce tumor size and cancer cells.”
“I didn’t know that,” I reply, my eyes stinging at the fact that Thorn must have looked it up for me. It didn’t occur to me to look anything like that up before. I was so young and, well, just focused on surviving, and Mom was so busy trying to make ends meet that neither of us looked beyond the treatment I received. “Thank you for…well…everything.”
“Well, get used to it, and I have other adjustments and supplements that will help,” he replies as I settle back intothe multitude of cushions that Blade has put at my back. “I’ve ordered some organic ginger tea and crystallized ginger for your nausea. I’m making a natural herbal tea blend to help you sleep, and I’ve some CBD oil which helps with anxiety and nausea.” My mouth opens, but no words come out. He’s done all that…for me? Thorn takes the spoon in his hand, dipping it into the bowl and bringing it back out with porridge on it, then brings it to his lips, testing the temperature before turning to me with a cheeky smile. “Just right.”
I huff a laugh, realizing that he’s not going to give me the spoon when he just stares at me expectantly. So—and only because I’m tired—I open my mouth and he slides the spoon inside. The rich, creamy, nutty flavor bursts on my tongue, the chocolate taste making me moan.
“That’s so damn amazing,” I tell him, and his smile gets wider.
“Good. Now eat up, then sleep,” he commands, and I roll my eyes, earning three growls.
“You’re becoming as bad as Papa Bear,” I grumble, and Thorn’s lips twitch.
“Papa Bear?” His gaze darts behind me just as the bed dips. “Ah, fitting.”
“I don’t mind being called Daddy,” Blade rumbles in my ear, and I get a full-body shiver from the low, sexy tone.
“No more riling her up, she needs rest,” Chase chides from the bottom of the bed, and I turn to find him standing there, hands on his hips with a firm look on his face.
“Maybe you should be called Daddy,” I tell him with an arched brow, taking another mouthful of porridge that Thorn feeds me, which may ruin the sassy attempt somewhat.
“I prefer sir,” he says casually, though there is a heat in his eyes that I’m quickly becoming addicted to.
I swallow another mouthful of porridge that Thorn feeds me, looking around to change the subject before my greedy pussy gets ahead of us and demands more of my stepbrothers’ cocks.
“Why can’t I just smoke weed like you guys do?” I ask, and they freeze.
“How do you know we smoke?” Thorn questions at the same time Chase hisses.
“Abso—fucking—lutely not, Star.” I slightly flinch at the anger in his tone. His cheeks flush immediately, and he kneels on the end of the bed. “Sorry, it’s just that tobacco is bad for your lungs. We’ll get you some edibles, as long as they’re not too sugary, and Thorn has ordered the oil, but no smoking.”
“But you do,” I argue back, huffing and turning my head away from the next spoonful of porridge Thorn tries to feed me. I cross my arms over my chest, though the effect is ruined by being in bed with two of them now cuddled up to me.
“That’s different, Goldie,” Thorn says, trying to push the porridge at me again.
“I’m done,” I tell him sullenly, and I know I’m being childish and that Chase is right, but it still stings as it’s another reminder that I can’t be normal. Suddenly, tears sting my eyes, the back of my jaw working as I try to hold it in.
“Hey, Goldie, don’t do that, please,” Thorn begs, setting the bowl down on the bedside table and scooting closer.
“Do what?” I manage to get out, past the lump in my throat.
“Hide your feelings from us. You don’t need to bottle it all up, pretty stepsis,” he says, his hand cupping my cheek. “Tell us why you’re so upset, please?”
“I just want to be normal.” The first tear drips down my cheek, scalding a path across my skin. “I don’t want to do this again.”
As if my words opened the floodgates, I uncross my arms and throw them around Thorn, the sobs wracking my body as I cry atthe injustice of it all. His arms band around me, holding me close as he says soothing things in my ear and lets me cry all over him.
Warmth at my back tells me Blade is still there, and a hand strokes up and down my legs over the covers, showing me that Chase is here too. They don’t try to stop me, don’t try to offer platitudes, just hold me and let me get it all out.
“ARTISTRY” BY JACOB LEE
