It isn’t long before the four of us reach the top of the stairs and step out into the Forbidden forest.

“Lights be damned, that was fun!” Devin says. He looks at me, a wicked smile spreading across his face.

“Trust you to enjoy that, Devin, but we’re not out of the woods just yet,” Rhain says with a wry grin. His eyes meet mine. “You are quite the surprise. Do you know that?” He pulls me into his arms and kisses me thoroughly. I can’t help but melt into the kiss, my body responding even though we are still in danger. God, I’ve missed him.

“There’s no time for jokes, or that,” Ezra snarls, pulling me out of Rhain’s embrace. “Let’s move. I want Accacia out of this wood now.” He takes my hand and starts to run. I have no choice but to go with him. Devin and Rhain catch up quickly, running alongside us both.

He’s looking better. How did you manage it, Red?

Red?

Red rose, he says, his eyes flicking to my tattoo. It’s my new nickname for you, don’t you like it?

I don’t need to look at Devin to know he is smiling. I’m guessing that I have no choice in the matter?

None whatsoever. He chuckles. So, how did you manage to persuade him?

I’m about to respond when I am tackled to the ground by Rhain, the force of his weight pulling me out of Ezra’s arms. The air leaves my chest in a rush.

“GET DOWN!” I hear Ezra shout to Devin. I am covered by Rhain, Ezra next to me. We lie side by side upon the forest floor behind a fallen tree. Above us fae magic crashes into the trunks of the surrounding trees, bits of wood splintering overhead. A few bury themselves into my skin. Devin crawls towards us, his arm bleeding.

Are you hurt? I ask, reaching towards him. He glances at his arm.

Just a scratch, Red. I’ll be fine.

“How in Lights name are we to get out of this mess? The fae magic is strong. We can’t fight them from this distance without being cut down,” Rhain growls. He is heavy on top of me, the weight of him making it difficult for me to breathe, and not in a good way.

Devin pushes at him slightly. “Give Accacia some room, Rhain. She can’t breathe.”

“Shit, sorry,” Rhain says, moving off me slightly.

“Our only choice is to outrun them. I will create a distraction. You get Accacia out, you hear me,” Ezra says fiercely.

Rhain and Devin nod their heads. “Yes, brother,” they say in unison.

“Wait!” I say, grabbing hold of Ezra’s arm. “I did not save your damn life for you to be taken back to the city and sacrificed by that mad fae king. You get out, do you hear me?” Our eyes lock and without thinking a second more, I pull his head towards me and kiss him passionately. I hear Rhain’s low whistle and Devin’s chuckle at the shock on Ezra’s face when I let him go.

“I hear you.” A small smile lifts the corner of his lips, before his face deadpans once again. “Get her out. NOW!” Ezra roars, then jumps up, heading in the opposite direction to us.

A moment later, I am pulled to my feet and we are running through the forest, Rhain holding onto my hand, Devin flanking us. I feel as though I am flying and I’m pretty sure it has to do with the fact that between them, Rhain and Devin are practically carrying me. Behind us the sound of fae magic lessens as we head towards the forest’s perimeter. Fortunately for us, night has fallen as we exit the Forbidden forest.

* * *

“It has been too long,” I say, wearing the rug thin in Nostra’s cottage with my pacing. After his initial happiness at seeing me, Mr Tickle has moved to the armchair in the corner of the room, disturbed now by my growing anxiety.

Rhain is chewing on his nail, staring out of the window. Devin is in the opposite corner of the room, staring at me.

He will be back, Red.

An hour has passed. Where is he? I can’t help the fear I feel. After all that we’ve been through together these past couple of days, it seems so cruel that he might be taken from me now.

“Nostra has sent his magic into the wood. He is doing everything he can to help. Ezra will return,” Rhain says. Nostra left as soon as we arrived back at the cottage. He’d insisted that his magic would work better if he were nearer the edge of the forest and had rushed off, leaving us waiting behind.

Noticing my concern, Rhain reiterates his belief that Ezra will be okay. “He will return.”

He is trying to be optimistic, but he can’t fool me. I know he is as worried as I am.

“This is my fault…” I say, my voice wobbling.

No, Red, it is not. Devin gets up, strides over and pulls me into his arms. You are not to blame for anything, just like Ezra was not to blame for Thalia and Roseanna’s death. Guilt is ugly, and it can tear you apart. You saw first-hand what it did to Ezra. Do not let it do that to you too. Queen Adrielle is the only person to blame.

I nod my head, curling my hands around Devin’s top, breathing him in. I’ve missed him being inside my head. It is comforting to have his arms wrapped around me and a part of his soul floating within my consciousness. It makes me feel as though I belong, and that is something I haven’t felt for a very long time.

Behind me Rhain approaches and Devin releases me a little from his hold so I am caught between the two of them.

“You’ve given him a reason to return, Cia. He will be back.” Rhain pulls my back against his chest and presses a kiss against my neck. His hands splay against my stomach. Devin’s hands drop away, but he remains staring at me. Our eyes lock as Rhain’s kisses stray along my bare skin. A low groan erupts from Devin’s throat, but still he remains where he is.

“What are you doing, Rhain?” I ask, my voice low, full of the growing desire I feel.

“Distracting you,” he murmurs into my hair.

I laugh softly, it is certainly doing that. Devin starts to back away. “Where are you going?” I whisper. He stops, his eyes flicking from my mouth to my heavy-lidded eyes.

You and Rhain need a moment alone. I will go and see how Nostra is doing. Maybe there is something I can do to help.

“Don’t go. I need you here too.” I am shocked by my own words. Was it wrong that I wanted them both? Being with them all has ignited a desire within me that has nothing to do with the Claiming or the Binding or even the Joining. I almost lost them both to the depths of the Forbidden forest. Ezra may well be lost for good. Rhain is right, I need their comfort, the distraction.

I am a distraction now? Devin asks, tipping his head to the side. He isn’t joking, there is none of the usual mirth that comes with most things he says.

You know it’s more than that.

Do I?

I hold my hands out to Devin. I want to show them both how much they mean to me. I want them to understand just how much I care about them.

“Lights damn it, Devin. Stop staring at Cia and get over here,” Rhain snaps.

Devin’s mouth lifts at the corner. “Brother, I am a patient man. The time isn’t right,” he says.

My heart sinks a little. Despite his words that seem to promise more, I can’t help but feel disappointed, rejected. Devin’s eyes rest on mine. He steps forward and pulls me back into his arms. Rhain’s hands drop away as Devin looks down at me. His words filter into my consciousness.

Do not for one minute think I don’t want you, long for you, Red. I could make love to you now with Rhain here, and it would be beautiful, but it isn’t what I want for us. Not the first time, at least.

I cock my eyebrow. Not the first time, eh?

The tips of Devin’s teeth lower and I can’t help but smile. This teeth baring seems to be a real sign of the vampires’ desire, or at least the three vampires I have come to know so well. He smiles back at me, a laugh escaping.

Yes. I swear to you, Red, the first time we come together it will be just me and you. My brothers will have to damn well stay away.

Brothers?

Rhain and Ezra, of course.

Ezra? I laugh.

He can tell himself all he wants that there is nothing he feels for you, but I’ve known that man for more than a thousand years. He might be able to lie to himself, but he is easier to read than he thinks.

“Do you know how strange it is to stand here watching you two conversing, having no idea what you’re saying?”

Devin presses a sweet kiss against my mouth, then releases me from his hold. “I am going to wait with Nostra. I trust you to take care of Red for me,” he says to Rhain with a wink.

“Red?” Rhain frowns.

“That’s right. Cia, to you, Red to me.” With that Devin opens the front door and leaves me wondering whether what he said about Ezra could be true, and hoping that Devin will keep his promise to me. I don’t get much time to think about it as Rhain lifts me up under my arms and lays me on Nostra’s kitchen table.

“Now, where were we?” he asks, a sexy smile curling his lips.