Claire

I feel myself pulling out of the comforting darkness despite my protests. I would be happy to float in the quiet stillness forever. My eyes were heavy, so I left them closed as I took in my surroundings. I was warm and comfortable, sparks licking my body making me relax further. There was an incredible smell surrounding me as well. If this is the afterlife, I can’t complain.

I tried to open my eyes again, but they are dry and scratchy. I blinked a few times, taking in the darkness. I look around as my eyes focus until they land on something.

Rowan.

And he’s staring straight at me.

I gasp and pull away from what I realize is a sleeping Bennett. I can’t stop the sob that pours from me as I try to stand. Rowan’s hand circles my wrist and I try to pull away from him, but his hold stays firm.

“Relax, Claire. Just be quiet. Don’t wake Bennett, please.” He whispers and a strangled cry leaves me, but I try to muffle it with the back of my hand. Surely both of them awake at one time is worse than one of them.

Rowan rounds the bed towards me, and my body shakes with fear as I try to shuffle away from him. He sighs and bends down to scoop me up into his arms. He kisses my forehead gently, nearly stunning me into compliance.

“It’s ok, little one. I won’t hurt you.” He murmurs in my ear as he carries me out into the living room, closing the bedroom door quietly behind him.

He sits on the couch with me in his lap and wraps his arms around me, tucking his face into my neck. I sit still as a statue, not understanding where this affection is coming from.

“Why didn’t you just let me die?” I croak out, a soft sniffle following my words as I try to stem my tears. Rowan sighs heavily before tightening his grip around me.

“I’m sorry, Claire. I shouldn’t have hurt you. I was angry and handled it wrong. I don’t want you to die.” He says quietly. I can’t help but scoff.

I really need to get that under control. My sass will be the death of me.

“You mean Bennett will be pissed at you if you kill me.” I correct him and he shakes his head.

“No. I realize I haven’t handled this situation correctly. We are meant to take care of you and protect you. We have done a shitty job and I apologize for that.” He says gravely, his eyes sad. I take a few breaths and try to comprehend what he’s saying to me.

“Can I ask you something?” I inquire and Rowan nods his head.

“Why me? Why pick me as your mate? Because I smell good?” I ask and he chuckles, the low sound making me shiver. He must mistake it as me being cold since his body warms up the next moment. As much as I hate him, I can’t help but lean into the warmth and relax against his shoulder.

“You aren’t our mate because you smell good. You smell good because you’re our mate.” He says and I look at him confused.

“Can I ask you something?” He asks, parroting my words. I nod and he reaches up to tuck some hair behind my ear.

“Before Bennett and I, had you ever been with someone before? Kissed? Fucked?” He asks and I shake my head as my face flames in a blush. He chuckles, running his thumb along my flaming cheek.

“That’s because even if your mind didn’t know it, your soul knew you had fated mates.” He says and my brows furrow in confusion.

“My soul? What do you mean?” I ask.

“You hold a piece of our souls, just like we hold a piece of yours. That is why we are mates. We didn’t just pick you, you were built for us, and we for you.” He says and my mouth drops in surprise.

“You have pieces of my soul?” I shout and Rowan nods. “Well give them back!” I demand and he roars out laughter, tilting his head back as his chest heaves.

“Oh, my little demon. You are going to be a handful.” He says with an affectionate smile, leaning in to nuzzle into my neck.

“Well, obviously not because I am so much weaker than you both. You keep hurting me.” I say quietly and Rowan sighs again.

“I know, little one. We will work on that. Until you’re marked.” He says and I perk up at his words.

“Marked? What does that mean?” I ask.

“When you’re ready, Bennett and I will both mark you. We bite you and sink our venom into your body. It will change you, make you stronger and immortal.” He says, running his hand gently along my leg. I try to focus on the movement so it can soothe me, but it doesn’t help much, and I start to hyperventilate. Rowan rubs his hand up and down my back until I catch my breath and I look up at him.

“Why are you being so nice to me?” I ask curiously and he sighs.

“Because you’re mine, Claire. I want you to be happy.” I snort and roll my eyes making Rowan narrow his eyes at me. Before I can blink, his hands are around my waist, tickling my ribs and making me squeal. I laugh as I try to push his hands from me, but he keeps up his teasing.

“Stop, Rowan!” I shout through my giggles and he pulls his hands away from me. I look up at him and he has a genuine smile on his face that takes my breath away.

“That smile is much prettier than your normal sullen look.” Rowan says and I smack him playfully.

“So what else will happen to me when you mark me?” I ask quietly, suddenly nervous again.

“You will get stronger physically, so werewolves can’t hurt you and vampires can’t feed from you. You’ll be immune to dragon fire; your mind will be fortified against the fae so they can’t use their powers to manipulate you and you will be shielded so witches will be unable to harm you with magic.” He explains as my eyes go wide.

“That’s crazy.” I murmur and he chuckles a little. His body warms again, and I rest my head in the crook of his shoulder, suddenly very sleepy. I let out a loud yawn and feel Rowan’s chest rumble under me. I look up at him, worried he’s pissed, but he’s just watching me with a small smile.

“We should get some food into you. You haven’t eaten much lately.” He says, his eyes skimming my thin waist.

“I’m too tired to eat.” I whine, resting my head back on his shoulder. He chuckles again and stands before resting me back onto the couch.

“I know, but you need food to finish healing.” He says and without his heat I start to shiver in the cold.

“I’m cold, Rowan. Come back.” I plead, holding my arms out for him. He grabs a blanket and tucks me, and I feel the temperature in the room rise.

“I’ll be right back.” He says, pecking a kiss to my cheek. I smile at the tingles that spread through my body from where his lips touched my skin.

I get a warm, fuzzy feeling in my belly as I let my hopes rise that what Rowan said was true. That they would try and be more careful with me, treat me better. As much as it makes me angry, I can’t deny the way my body reacts to both of these terrifying creatures. It wants them, yearns for them, comes alive at even a glance. It frustrates me to no end, but I have to learn to accept it. Fighting them will only make them angry, and neither of them are pleasant when they are angry.

Rowan comes back a few minutes later with a heaping plateful of meat and a glass of water. I can’t stop my groan of annoyance when I see it and Rowan looks at me confused.

“What’s the matter?” He asks, sitting next to me.

“All you two ever eat is meat.” I complain.

“Well, yeah. That’s what we need to survive.” He explains.

“Well, I’m human. I need fruits and vegetables. Do I have to suck your dick again to get an apple?” I ask incredulously and Rowan laughs again.

“I’m sorry, little demon.” He says with a sharp tone. “We didn’t realize you had different nutritional needs. We can go to the store tomorrow and get whatever food you want.” He says and my eyes widen with excitement.

“Really? We? Meaning I get to go too?” I ask excitedly and Rowan nods while smiling.

“Yes. That would make the most sense since you’re the one that requires different foods.” He says and I nod, taking a few bites of the meat. It makes me even sleepier, and I can’t finish it all, but Rowan manages to eat the rest in only a few bites.

I lean back against the couch and close my eyes, but Rowan soon lifts me and carries me towards the bedroom.

“I do have one more question, Claire.” He says and I peek my eyes open at him.

“What’s that?” I ask, my voice taking on a dreamy tone.

“What you did in the shower. You didn’t feel… pressured or forced to do that, did you?” He asks and my eyes fling open.

“No. I didn’t. It’s just, when you got back you seemed nicer. I thought maybe you had missed me. Decided you wanted me. But then you called me…” I trail off, not wanting to say it. Rowan’s mouth falls until he’s frowning.

“Human. I called you ‘human’. That’s what set you off.” He says and I nod, taking my pointer fingers to each side of his mouth and lifting them until he’s smiling. He looks at me, confused by my antics, and I smile at him.

“I don’t like it when you frown.” I say and he chuckles again, pecking a kiss to my forehead.

I expect him to lay me in the middle of the bed, but he sets me on the edge, and he slips into the middle, tugging me into his side. I don’t protest because I’m sleepy and he’s so warm. I lay my head down on his chest and feel Bennett moving around on the other side. Soon one of his large arms wraps around Rowan, his hand resting on my back while Rowan’s arms cocoon me.

This sleeping arrangement I could get used to.