I swallowed hard and decided to break the ice. “You two are very good with your swords. You practice every day?”
“Anytime we have a chance,” Ronen answered. “How do you fare, sweet thing?”
“I fare well. Ashanie showed me around. I met with the other women too. They are very nice.”
“Have you made friends?”
“I think I have.”
“Do you like Aesterneum?”
I took a few seconds reflecting on my answer. “Aesterneum is paradise.” It was. The place was what a sanctuary should be. I felt content just being here. I watched Ronen and Callarn. My heart wept for their beauty. Then, I couldn’t hold back my curiosity that had been nagging me since they kidnapped me. “Why do you agree to share a woman? Shouldn’t you want a mate for yourself?”
Ronen and Callarn traded gazes. They smiled.
“Callarn and I are bond brothers,” Ronen answered.
“I don’t understand.”
“See, we have the same mother but are sired from different fathers.”
“Oh, half-brothers.”
Ronen nodded. “Since we share blood, we are also bound spiritually. We want the same thing. Same food. Same clothing. Same woman. When Callarn is in trouble, I can feel him too. If he’s in pain, so am I. Our bond is strong, stronger than twins.”
I found the whole thing interesting. “Will you introduce me to your parents? I can’t wait to meet them.”
Ronen’s face darkened. “I’m sorry, sweet thing. My mother died years ago when she was in labor. She and my baby brother didn’t survive.”
“Oh, I’m so sorry.”
“My father and Callarn’s grieved. They died soon after.”
I was astounded.
“Once bound, one cannot survive without another,” Callarn explained.
“My mother and our fathers were great parents. We’re longing for a family,” Ronen added. “Therefore, we need a mate. We wish to become whole. Body and soul.”
Callarn studied me. “Will you accept our claim, Elyra?”
I couldn’t answer. Though I was starting to like them, I couldn’t accept becoming their mate. Erodan wanted me dead. And there were the vicious hunters ready to slay whoever dared harbor my person. I couldn’t bring their wrath to these good people.
I slowly shook my head. “I cannot. I am sorry.”
I could feel the weight of their disappointment as I grabbed the bucket and headed to the cookery.
*
Someone knocked on my door when I was about go to sleep.
“Elyra, may I have a word with you?”
It was Callarn.
I opened the door and peered from the crack. My heart fluttered at the sight of him. I suppressed the urge to leap in his arms. “What do you want?” I kept my tone cold.
“We need to talk. May I come in?”
“What do we need to discuss?”
“Let me in, Elyra.”
Half-heartedly, I stepped aside and let him shimmy past me.
“What do you want? It is late,” I said.
“You and I need to have a conversation.”
“Very well, then.”
We sat on the edge of the bed.
“I know you are afraid. You shouldn’t be. You are safe with us.”
“You don’t know what I’ve been through. Those hunters…”
“I’ve seen enough of their lot. I have fought their kin several times.”
“Then you know how cunning they are.”
“I know. But we aren’t common folk. We are born and bred as warriors. We can protect you, Elyra. All Ronen and I ask is a chance; a chance to prove us worthy of you.”
“I…I don’t know.”
“Trust me, Elyra. Nothing will ever hurt you. We won’t allow it.”
I looked at him with dread. War brewed inside my head. I was tired of running. I was tired of being afraid. I needed someone to lay my head upon and make me feel safe. Ronen and Callarn presented me with an offer I couldn’t deny.
Callarn caressed my cheek, leaning forward to kiss me. I avoided him. He caught both my hands and kissed me anyway. I squirmed and tried to shove him, but in the end, I was melting in his arms. He kept kissing me, mastering me with every stroke of his tongue. I moaned. Callarn pushed me on my back. He grabbed my arms and pushed them above my head. His body pressed hard against mine. Using his knee, he parted my thighs wide. I gasped when I felt his hard erection bulge under his leather breeches.
He broke the kiss. “I want you so bad, sweetling. Do you not feel the same way?”
I wanted to tell myself I didn’t, but I would be lying. I wanted him. I wanted them both.
“Accept our claim.”
“I cannot stay. I must leave as soon as your lord gives me permission.”