After receiving bedding, a nice warm meal, and wood for a fire, Ezekiel sat on his makeshift bed reviewing the notes in his book, ruminating on what he had learned so far. He noted that he was weakened since arriving at the mountain, which was to be expected. Honestly, he couldn’t believe that they had survived this long since the stories always spoke of the magic being too rich and moved quickly.

He figured Andreas would be fine, considering he was a creature of the mountain. It just made sense that he would live longer than humans. But him and Edric, though… they should have definitely been dead by now.

Musing over the idea as he watched Sophia sleep, he realized it had to be her keeping them alive. Her powerful magic must have had some part in keeping them alive, but he had no idea how much longer that would last, whether it affected her to spend her magic on them, and if there was any reversing the effects.

He used his magic to reach out to her, gently checking that she was okay and not feeling any ill-effects of the mountain magic, but her power hummed in response, stronger than ever. Interesting. This would definitely be something to note in his journals. As encouraging as it was to sense Sophia’s strength after being here in the mountain for this long, he knew that he didn’t want to test it further and put her or any of the other men at risk.

One thing was for certain—they needed to get out of the mountain, and fast. Before it was too late. Besides, there was a creature stalking Andreas. A monster that lived for the hunt and never stopped hunting once it caught the scent of its prey. The last thing this group needed was a vexsnare arriving at their camp with innocent people present. He had no doubts that was the creature that Andreas saw in the distance. The look on his face had betrayed that much. If only he knew of a way to remove that curse from his newfound brother. They would have one less thing to worry about here in the mountain.

Tryce, the dick that he was, was a force to reckon with, for sure. But that didn’t mean Ezekiel didn’t have a few tricks up his sleeve that given enough time and preparation, he could use to take him down. Winston along with him.

He watched Sophia sleep for a time and chuckled at the way she snuggled with the sword she stole from the thugs. Damn, he adored his warrior woman. She was stubborn to a frustrating fault, feisty, and full of fire, but she was his. She gave him a family again. Someone to love and cherish beyond himself. He switched his gaze to Andreas and Edric. They were trying to catch some sleep themselves while he had first watch. They were his family too. His brothers. He smiled to himself, appreciating them for all that they did. Each and every single one of them.

He finally had the family he longed for, men he would fight and die for. Things he thought he would never have. And he would be forever grateful to Sophia. Never did he give a moment’s thought over whether or not he would die for her, because he would do it in a heartbeat if it ever came to that.

Because of the bond he shared with her and the other two men, sharing her was a small price to pay. Especially when those men were as good-hearted as they come. Especially when those men were Edric and Andreas.