Page 16 of Starlight Summons
“Then it’s a deal. We start next week. You have a lot to learn, and there are going to be some frightening parts, though. Are you sure you want to relive some of the terror that you’ve already been through? Because some of those demons make the serial killer that attacked you look like a nanny. I mean it.”
I thought about what she said. “I don’t want to be afraid for the rest of my life. Maybe I can’t undo all the damage that he did, but I can be prepared in case he comes back. Because that’s likely to happen. It’s his MO. Train me. I put myself in your hands.”
We toasted with our mugs of hot cocoa. And all the while, I realized how much I was looking forward to the future. To doing something that really mattered in this world.
After Grams left, Faron, Bran, and I sat in the living room together. Fancypants was playing with the cats, and all felt right with the world. We were on the floor, curled around the fireplace, enjoying the twinkle of the tree and the lights encircling the room with the glitter garland.
I leaned back, resting my head on the arm of the sofa. “At least we found out what happened to Lucretia,” I said. “I’m glad we could at least give you that closure.”
Faron nodded, still staring at the floor. The tension in the air was thick. It felt like we were breathing water. Bran was sitting next to me, his arm draped over my shoulder. He suddenly sat straight, and moved his arm to wrap around my waist.
“We need to talk about this,” Bran said.
“About what?” I asked.
“About us. About you. About Faron. You know this was meant to be,” he said.
“What are you saying?” Faron asked, looking up.
“Elphyra and I were meant to be. But so were you and Elphyra. I know you want to kiss her,” he said. “I know she loves me, and I know that you two are still pulled toward each other.”
I caught my breath, barely able to speak. “What are you saying? Are you…” I trailed off, unable to finish my sentence. My body crackled. I felt on fire from Bran’s touch, and from Faron’s gaze. I wanted them both, and I wanted them now. But I was afraid to disturb the delicate balance we had managed to weave throughout the past year.
“I’ll admit it,” Faron said, his voice husky. “I want you, Elphyra. But I won’t intrude. Not unless I’m welcome.”
“You’re not an intruder,” Bran said. “You’ve become my brother. And if I’m going to willingly share my wife with anyone, it would be you.”
Bran leaned down and kissed my neck. I gasped, and at that moment Faron leaned forward, his lips gently pressing against mine.
I slid my legs open, as Bran placed one hand on my thigh, under my dress.
Faron settled between my legs, sitting on the floor sideways so that he could kiss me.
And it was right. It was all so right. As they began to touch me, I moaned, and that was all it took. For the first time in my life, I had everything I needed right at my fingertips.
As they slowly undressed me, gently removing each piece of my clothing, I knew that I could never be content with just one man. It took two to make my perfect man, and I would try to be the perfect woman for both of them.
Between the magic that Bran held in his fingers, and the passion that Faron embodied, we made the perfect thruple, and we had everything we needed right there.
