Page 137 of Theirs to Crave

I groaned, dropping my face back onto my warm, purring pillow. “Hush,” I muttered. “Sleep now.”

My pillow shook, his arms snuggling me close.

Exhaustion slipped over me, pulling me gently but relentlessly downward.

“Thank the spirits you’re safe, myLelesha,” Zaf whispered just before my awareness flickered and faded completely. “Thank the spirits.”

???

I jerked, trying in vain to catch a glimpse of the nameless, faceless monster that pursued me. I could hear it, hissing in the darkness. Could feel it getting closer, so close—too close—but I could see nothing.

“Kshh, Lelesha. Zharouk seh. Rai set ek’ka.”

It took my mind a second to claw itself free of the nightmare and translate Litha’s comforting murmur. “Shh, Little Star. You’re safe. It’s only us.”

I let out a shaky sigh and opened my eyes. I still lay on Zaf’s chest—which was now decorated by a drool spot. Awesome. Litha’s arm curled over me from the left, and Revik’s big hand cupped a hip from my right.

They were back.

“Is it done?”

Revik’s fingers tightened. “Yes,” he growled. “He is dead.”

I didn’t have to ask if he’d been the one to do it. I cupped his jaw, wishing I had a tail to pet him with.

“Everyone in the village knows of his dishonor.” Litha said with grim satisfaction. “The poison wore off by the time our people returned from the funeral, and under Saytireka’s questioning, he admitted everything. What he had planned, and why.” She rubbed her cheek against Zaf’s. “Saytireka denounced him. Sentenced him to a silent funeral.”

“In front of all?” Zaf’s eyes were wide, a desperate, flinching hope flickering in them.

“And commanded that your sister put it in the records,” Litha confirmed. “She denounced herself also, for her part in seeding the hate that festered in his heart.”

Zaf looked straight up, blinking rapidly, his eyes shimmering under a veil of tears.

I kissed his chest. I didn’t know what a silent funeral meant, culturally. And I didn’t know what consequences there would befor Saytireka. But it meant something to Zaf, and both Litha and Revik were content. It was enough for now.

I pushed up into a sitting position, kneeling and waiting until my three rose—their movements unsure—to join me.

“I need to thank you.” I held up a hand to stall their immediate refusals. “No, I do. Please let me finish.” It made my stomach cramp, but I met each of their eyes in turn. “When Arvel took me—even before—I didn’t doubt you’d protect me. That you’d do whatever you had to, to take care of me.”

Revik purred, and my lips curved.

“I never questioned it. Because it’s what you do, who you are. I see how much you love me every day—see how much you love each other, your family, your people, your home. It’s in everything you do. It’s who you are. I’m so thankful to have found you. So thankful you chose me.” All three of them were purring, edging closer to me on the bed. I laughed, a breathy, watery sound.

“I’ve been planning how to tell you this. I need you to know it’s not the near-death experience talking.”

They were all but vibrating now, three sets of glowing yellow eyes locked on me with unwavering intensity.

“I love you. I love you so much. I love how you care for each other, and for me. I love that I never feel less-than when I’m with you. I lovewho I amwhen I’m with you. I never want to be parted from any of you again.”

I swiped the tears from my cheeks, and the bad thoughts with them. They wouldn’t sully this moment.

“I want to be your mate. I want to wear your braids, to wear your names in my flesh. Please say you’ll be mine.”

Arms enfolded me. I buzzed from the strength of their purrs.

“Yes,Lelesha,” Litha whispered. Her fur brushed across my cheek, velvet soft, then her lips pressed against mine. “I am already yours. I have been since that first night, when you found peace in my arms.Zhai vailah, Estrayuh.”

“I love you too,” I murmured between kisses. “Te amo, Litha.”

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