I wrinkle my nose in distaste. “Thea works, thank you very much.”
It was the name I chose for myself, the name I earned. Winnifred died centuries ago, when she was abused and broken and left for dead. I don’t want to remember that life. Maybe, in time, I’ll find a way to regain my lost memories. It’ll be nice to see how I fell in love with the guys the first time around.
But that’s then. This is now.
A new story.
A new beginning.
Emotions I can’t quite articulate clog my throat, making it hard to breathe. I reach forward instinctively, not even caring which guy I’m holding on to. I need them all.
Over their shoulders, Athena stands gracefully and nods in my direction.
“Thank you,” she whispers, and I know her gratitude extends far beyond stopping Aphrodite and Ares.
I may not have been able to give her back her lovers, but I freed them. That’s the next best thing.
I nod, and for a moment, we stare at each other in silent solidarity. Then she smiles weakly and slides out the door, shutting it gently behind her.
Leaving me alone with my guys.
I hug them all to me—even Rafe, who I suspect would rather stab his eye out than engage in group cuddles. But I need to feel them against me. Their hearts pounding in tandem to mine. Their heat enveloping me.
They're alive. I’m alive. We’re alive.
Even my pain is dissipating. I can’t help but wonder if Hades had a part to play in that. I almost feel…normal.
“Is this real?” I ask no one in particular, belatedly aware of hands caressing my back, hair, and face.
“It better fucking be real,” Krystian snaps. “Or so help me god—errr gods—I’ll burn the world down.”
“You’re ours, Thea. Now and forever,” Everett says solemnly.
“You were ours then, and you’re ours now,” Zaid agrees.
Rafe simply says, “Ours.”
Their possessive ownership of me sends heat careening down my back.
I…want them.
Need them.
I defied death to get this chance with them. Not even a second chance but a third one. I’ll be damned if I waste even a single moment of our time together.
I reach for Zaid first since he’s closest to me and claim his lips with mine. It’s a ravenous kiss saying everything that I don’t dare say out loud. I put all of my feelings and emotions into it, refusing to hold back. Not now. Not ever again.
Zaid deepens the kiss, his hands tangling in my hair and tugging gently. Someone else moves behind me and slides their tongue across my throat.
Krystian.
A needy, desperate sound escapes me. I instinctively arch my neck, granting the elf better access. His lips skate across my skin, and goose bumps flutter on both of my arms.
I reach for Everett to the right of me and tug on the waistband of his pants, urging him closer.
He chuckles, the sound low and spine-tingling. “Greedy little thing, aren’t you?”
He hasn’t even begun to see greedy.
