Someone sidled up next to me, and I glanced toward them. Don watched Kal and Seth, obviously reading my jealousy. I practically dared him to call me out on it, crossing my arms and cocking an eyebrow, and while his lips quirked, he didn’t remark.
“If you would like to learn to fight,” he eventually said, “I’ll teach you.”
“I bet you’re the best because of the mind-reading thing.”
“It can be helpful, but it’s not perfect.”
“You beat everyone, don’t you?” I asked, imagining him pummeling Kal.
“I would never hurt my younger brother, even for you, Little Warrior,” he said as he faced me, leaning against the wall. His long purple hair was tied in a messy knot, and I had to say I dug it. I liked dudes with long hair. Sue me. He smiled again. “I cannot beat Kalvoxrencol. I haven’t been able to in years.”
“Really?”
“Yes. He’s the best fighter. No one who has tried has beaten him. When we fight, his brain shuts off and it’s all instinct. Something he taught himself, to beat me. Creative soul he might be, but Kalvoxrencol forged himself into a weapon.”
“Why?” I asked before I could stop myself.
“He has troubles as anyone does.” He pushed away from the wall and left me to stew.
Ass, I thought at his back.
His tail twitched, and he flashed me the barest grin.
As people paired off, I sat against the wall. Caleb joined me and stared unabashedly at his husband with basically hearts in his eyes. Teddy also came, but he was a little less obvious in his ogling, simply following Mindy’s movements with a bland expression. Teddy tried to talk to me, and I managed a few words here and there, but I couldn’t tear my eyes from Seth.
He wasn’t anyone’s equal here—they all beat him time and time again—but he would get back up and square off. Against taller and stronger foes, Seth could hold his own. It was amazing, and my heart warmed as I watched him fight and laugh. No one would ever hurt him again, or if they did, they wouldn’t come away unscathed.
Kal, though. God, he was fury on two legs. The dude moved faster than anyone. He knocked everyone who challenged him to the floor. His only weakness was when Seth was in a bout, he couldn’t fight. He stared and growled at Seth’s opponents, then fussed over Seth afterward.
I watched as Kal straightened Seth’s clothes and tutted over him. Kal was a mother hen. Who would’ve guessed? I lingered on his long fingers and claws before running my eyes over his form, then looking back at Seth, who blushed profusely but didn’t move away from his husband. Seth wasn’t going to leave Kal, especially with their baby on the way.
But perhaps we could be together still?
Polyamory had never been something that was for me. I was too possessive. I would even say I was unhealthy in how possessive I was, but I could share Seth, couldn’t I? I would rather have part of him, then none of him. If Seth was the hinge, I could bear it. But what if they wanted an equal relationship?
My gaze returned to Kal. Could I let him fuck me if it meant having Seth?
A slam went through the room, and I jolted, pulse spiking.
Don landed on the mat with a low groan. Caleb was half up, whereas Fyn, Mindy, and Kal rushed toward their fallen brother, Seth two steps behind them.
Don was holding his stomach, and the other drakcol said, “I thought he saw the kick.”
“It was my mistake,” Don said with a pained grimace.
Fury ripped through me. I wanted to rip the other drakcol with golden scales apart. I took a step toward Don to comfort him, but Caleb rested his hand on my arm, stopping me. I yanked away, heart pounding, and fear slid like ice through my veins.
Don growled, and I looked at him. He was staring at Caleb, snarling, but he quickly averted his gaze.
Caleb appeared nonplussed. “Don doesn’t usually get knocked down, except when he and Kal fight. Weird.”
Teddy grunted. His usual reply. My Teddy wasn’t much of a talker, at least that hadn’t changed.
Don waved off his brothers and walked toward the door, leaving without even sparing a glance toward me.
Chapter 11
Utter distraction.
