Episode Thirty-Four Still Want to Go Through With This?

T hallose

It's been a long, surprising day for all of us. I didn't wake up this morning contemplating being a mated male before the day was over. And I certainly didn't imagine I'd have two males for mates.

It's not too much of a stretch to see my two new male mates kissing. With so few females on the planet, there are few males who haven't dallied with other males. I have many times, although I've yearned for a female mate.

As the only male or female of my kind, I knew if I ever found a mate, it wouldn't be one of my own kind. I never dreamed of a human, though. If I had, it wouldn't have been a dream, it would have been a nightmare.

Dhar looks surprised at Azael's offer, but not appalled. The only one of us who is shocked is the female.

"Really, Azael?" she asks, her brows rising.

"Is it so surprising, Nadira, that all mates should care for each other in this way?"

She's quiet for a long time, her gaze darting between her two mates. "That's punishable by death Up Above," she whispers, then tucks her head to his chest. "Whatever will make everyone happy. I just want that."

The three of them hug each other tighter. If I wasn't supposed to be part of this unholy matebond, I would find their fumbling attempts at happiness amusing. For the hundredth time today, I wonder what I'm getting myself into.

Their hug uncoils and instead of a tight circle, they form a line, all looking at me sitting on a stump, my back to the wall.

"You've had all day to think about this, Thallose. You've flown here, possessions in hand. Is this still what you want?" Azael asks.

"Are we still planning on attacking the Tower? Killing the males ?" I put emphasis on that last word, so the female can rest assured I heard and agree to her conditions.

"Yes," they each say with a serious nod.

"If the cost of that is to be mated, my answer is yes." I look the two males in the eyes, skipping over the redhead's face.

"Mayhap we need to discuss the conditions." It's the orc. He has the gall to snarl, flashing a tusk at me. "You will respect this female. You will treat her as a proper mate. You will never say another harsh word to her. Ever ."

The oaf takes a step toward me, balls his fist, and his emerald eyes tell me he'd be happy to hurt me if I break his rules.

"I agree to that."

"Nadira?" Azael asks. "Do you still want to mate a male who sits on the sidelines during a mated hug?"

She nods. "Besides, he's not mated yet."

"Now's the time to fix that," the monk says. "Dhar and I will be at the firepit below. When you two are done, open the door. We'll be up shortly after with food. Hopefully, to celebrate." His eyes narrow in a veiled threat.

The two males leave, monk in front, orc behind. Before he shuts the door, the orc leans in and lances me with a gaze so full of threat a blind male could see it. Wordlessly, he shuts the door behind him.

For the first time since I left the rendezvous, I look at Nadira. Human. My hate for her species is a visceral thing. It's like barbed wire wound around my heart. It tightens every time I think about the last day I saw my parents and younger sister. My parents were murdered and my sister was stolen by the female's kind.

I shake my head, trying to force those pictures, those thoughts out of my head. It will make it impossible to get a hard-on. I'll need one of those to finish this ordeal.