This is Sweden. We’re in Sweden. Evan hopped in circles around Baptiste, acting more like a fox than a wolf, and making him laugh.

“You said you like it here, and I have a cabin here, so surprise.” They walked through the woods, heading toward Baptiste’s cabin by the river. He could’ve zapped them inside the building, but he didn’t know if Eirik had set the perimeter alarms. Not to mention, this was such a beautiful place. Baptiste had decided that reconnecting with the earth and taking back his Druid origins would be the best thing for his soul. Each day he spent plugged into nature, his powers grew stronger. He’d let Eirik’s death weaken him. For way too long, he’d wasted his magic on minor spells for humans.

Evan ran ahead, pawing at the dirt. A large silver wolf pounced from between the trees, sliding to a stop in front of Evan. He transformed, becoming a large, nude male with silver hair. “What are you doing here, Evan? You were told to leave.”

Before Evan could respond, Baptiste threw off the magic shielding him, revealing himself. “What are you doing admonishing my guard?” Bleidd’s appearance gave Baptiste an outlet for his rage.

Bleidd immediately gave a short bow. “Baptiste. I didn’t see you.”

Damn, he really is gorgeous, isn’t he? I don’t think I can be blamed for my stupidity.

Baptiste bit the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing at Evan’s words brushing his mind. He had to keep a straight face. “You didn’t see me, because I didn’t want to be seen. I brought Evan to the cabin to enjoy some fresh air and to bask in the upcoming full moon.”

“I didn’t know you were coming,” Bleidd said, sounding thoughtful.

Baptiste was really sick of men thinking they had any right to know his whereabouts at all times. “That’s because I don’t need your permission nor am I required to inform you of anything. I have Evan to watch after me. Which reminds me, don’t ever speak to him like that again. As my personal guard, he ranks way higher than you on the food chain. I’m sure you know the punishment for disrespecting the guardian of a god’s mate.” Baptiste prayed Bleidd knew, and also hoped that it was bad, because he honestly had no clue what the punishment was. Damn, maybe Evan had a point about him being too brave. Ugh. He was so fucking angry at everyone. If Bleidd wanted to fight, Baptiste was ready to throw down with the wolf.

Bleidd dipped his chin, accepting the reprimand as his due. “I apologize. It won’t happen again.”

Is it petty of me how happy I feel right now? Kiss me and then put me out. Fucker. I should bite his dick off. I would too if it wasn’t so pretty.

Bleidd’s gaze slid Evan’s way, and he covered himself with his hands. “You do realize I can hear you, right?”

Evan went still—like he thought if he didn’t as much as blink, then no one would be able to see him. Actually, no. No, I did not know that.

Baptiste bit his cheek harder, tasting blood. He moved to Evan’s side and rubbed the wolf’s head, showing his complete support. “If you’ll excuse us,” Baptiste said, stepping around Bleidd, as if he didn’t matter. They took two steps away, and Baptiste cloaked himself in magic once more. Evan looked back. Baptiste ran his hand down the wolf’s neck. “Don’t look back, gorgeous. Never let another man’s fear steal your happiness. He would be lucky to have you.”

Evan whimpered. That ass, though.

“All six feet five inches of it,” Baptiste said, chuckling. “Seriously, you’re too good for someone too weak to claim you.”

I love you. As Evan made the claim, he leaned his weight against Baptiste’s legs.

For the first time in a long time, Baptiste thought he might survive with nothing more than the love of his friends. “I love you too. Come on. It’s getting dark. I’ll hang out at the cabin and you can go play in the moonlight.”

Baptiste smiled as Evan raced ahead, as if overjoyed at the idea. He’d made the right choice coming here.

* * *

Jonathan sat on his hands and stared at the two men sitting across from him. “I’m sorry. You want me to do what?”

Eirik looked serious. “We’ve caused three years of suffering to our mate. You need to take us into custody.”

The man’s words hadn’t changed since the last time he’d spoken them, but Jonathan was having a hard time accepting them. He’d spent the last two-and-a-half weeks enjoying the peace and quiet. No one had stopped by unannounced or otherwise. He’d gotten a chance to practice his flying moves, because he totally intended to pull some freaky and kinky moves out for Niall, Cin, and his anniversary. Fuck hanging from a ceiling fan. He could fly.

Now, here Eirik and Kallus sat, suggesting something that was doomed to land him across Niall’s lap with the man’s palm stinging his… “I’m in,” Jonathan said, shifting to his feet. “Come on. I’ll have to put you in a different room this time, since you broke all my old wards and cracked my walls while you were at it,” Jonathan said, tossing an admonishing look over his shoulder.

Kallus was too busy eyeing each room as they passed to notice, but Eirik grimaced. “I’ll pay for the damages.”

Jonathan shook his head and looked away. “Don’t worry over it. Faolan’s an expert at fixing walls. You should’ve seen our living room after the…” Jonathan snapped his teeth together. No need to tell that story. “Anyhow, we’ve got it covered.”

I need help drawing wards that’ll hold a demon, god, and Druid.

Jonathan put the call out, hoping at least one of the guys could help him. Otherwise, he’d be at it all night. To his surprise, everyone appeared to do their part. Eirik even gave some suggestions on how to make their traps as solid as possible.

Once he had Kallus and Eirik on lockdown, he stood back to eye their work. “Now all we have to do is hope Baptiste comes for you. You might be here a while.”

Kallus’ mouth fell open. “Do you mean you were being serious about not knowing where he is?”

Jonathan spent a moment wondering if the request to lock them down and all the work he’d put into it had been an attempt to get him to come clean about where Baptiste was hiding. “I’m not a liar. He didn’t tell me where he was going.”

Eirik massaged Kallus’ shoulders and pulled him back against his chest. “Don’t worry, sexy. Bleidd contacted me earlier. He spotted Baptiste at the cabin and he’s been keeping watch to ensure he doesn’t get away.”

Kallus shot an irritated glance over his shoulder. “You’ve known this all day and didn’t say anything?”

Not an ounce of guilt marred Eirik’s features. “If I’d said anything, you would’ve wanted to head straight there. The moment Baptiste set eyes on us, he’d disappear again, and we’d be right back where we started. This is better.”

Jonathan nodded his agreement. “I’ll send word to Bleidd to deliver a message for me. This is our best shot at luring him out.” Every word Jonathan spoke felt like complete bullshit. There was a big part of him that expected Baptiste wouldn’t take the bait. Eirik and Kallus seemed positive Baptiste would come if they were in need. He didn’t share their faith. Jonathan loved his mates. That was the only true reason he was going along with this plan. He hoped—if the shoe was on the other foot—they’d go just as far for him to win back his loves. There was no time like the present to get this shit show on the road. All Jonathan could hope was that Baptiste wouldn’t hate him after this.

* * *

Baptiste tilted his head back and stared at the moon. He wondered what it looked like where Eirik and Kallus were. For not the first time, he wondered what would happen if he could possess Kallus the way the man had done to him. He missed the way his men looked at him. Evan’s story about the night Eirik died, and his claims of Baptiste’s mates not being strong enough to live without him, ate at Baptiste. Eirik had pretended to be someone else to stay close to him. Kallus had invaded his mind, tormenting him. In their own ways, the pair had been incapable of staying away. In truth, he wasn’t so sure he would be able to do it forever either.

His feet were cold. It was such a ridiculous thing to be undermining him, but he missed having someone warming his feet. He longed for nights of doing nothing while Eirik massaged his temples. Baptiste would curl up in his lap and listen to stories of Eirik’s life. As the guardian of the door between worlds, he’d seen and done so much. All those stories had been stolen from him between Eirik and Celeste’s blocking his mind. He wasn’t sure if he had them back yet. Baptiste wanted to ask, but there was no one there. The silence inside his mind was deafening.

Evan appeared from between the trees. At the edge of the porch, he transformed from wolf to man. He wrapped a blanket Baptiste had left for him around his waist and sat down on the steps. Baptiste kept himself hidden from everything and everyone but Evan for fear Eirik had the wolves on the lookout for him. No one could see him or hear him but Evan.

“Did you have fun?”

Evan turned sideways at Baptiste’s question and leaned his back against the railing. Even though he faced Baptiste, his gaze stayed locked on the nearby trees. “I don’t know that ‘fun’ would be the word I’d use. Mostly, I just walked around, enjoying the silence. Everyone here knows Bleidd banished me, so you know. It’s awkward.”

Baptiste wished he knew how to make things better. Caring about someone who didn’t care back was like dying while still alive. “I’d hoped Bleidd learning you are my guard would ease your way with the local wolves.”

Evan shrugged. “It might. I steered clear of the other wolves.”

There was nothing Baptiste could think to say to ease Evan. He too was socially inept. Baptiste didn’t know how to fit in or how to guide anyone else. “You’re incredibly brave to come here and be the lone wolf.” Evan’s gaze slid his way, as if hanging on Baptiste’s every word, so Baptiste didn’t stop. “They need each other. You need no one. They’ll never know your depth of strength. You should be proud.”

Evan didn’t respond. His gaze shot to the tree line. He moved to his feet, sending Baptiste on alert. Bleidd stepped into view, wearing nothing, as usual.

“Jeez. This guy again,” Baptiste bitched.

Evan held his silence.

“I need to speak with Baptiste,” Bleidd said as he moved to a step below Evan, making them the same height.

“He’s not accepting visitors tonight,” Evan said, keeping his voice hard against Bleidd.

Bleidd glanced around as if searching for any sign Baptiste might be near. His gaze moved back to Evan. His tone softened. “Listen, about earlier, I was just surprised to see you.”

Evan looked away and focused on some point over Bleidd’s shoulder. “I’m sure.”

Baptiste couldn’t stop watching the scene play out. Evan’s hurt was plain to see for anyone paying attention. Bleidd was more than interested. He couldn’t stop eyeing every inch of Evan.

“I’m a leader here.”

“Yep,” Evan said, making Baptiste proud with his disinterested tone. “I’m aware.”

“It’s my duty to keep the pack strong.”

Evan rocked back on his heels. “So you’ve said.”

Bleidd didn’t let up. “I have great, great, great grandchildren older than you.”

“That’s nice,” Evan said, looking away.

Bleidd shifted closer, nosing at Evan’s neck.

Evan flattened his palm against Bleidd’s chest and pushed. “I’m not accepting visitors tonight either.”

“You smell different,” Bleidd said, not budging. “Like the city.”

“What do you want, Bleidd?” Evan asked, letting his hand slip away from Bleidd’s chest in such a way he got an extra feel.

“I saw that,” Baptiste said with a chuckle.

Bleidd took a step back. “I have a message for Baptiste from the Americas king.”

Baptiste tossed off his magic, revealing his presence. “What’s the message?”

Bleidd’s gaze moved to where Baptiste sat in a nearby chair. He didn’t look surprised to see him. “Eirik and Kallus have been taken into custody. Your presence is requested.”

“What?” Evan said, sounding every bit as confused as Baptiste felt.

“I’m not sure that’s actually legal, to be honest. Since Eirik is a god, I wouldn’t think Jonathan has any authority over him. I mean, Celeste—”

“Has authorized their detainment,” Bleidd said, cutting him off.

“What?” Evan repeated, obviously every bit as lost as Baptiste.

Eirik was the guardian of the door between worlds. It wasn’t as if he could be detained, right? Baptiste shook his head. “I’ll go,” Baptiste said. He might be confused and angry, but his mates needed him.

Evan wrapped his blanket tighter around his waist. “I’ll go with you and watch your back.”

Baptiste shook his head. “Stay. Enjoy the night. This won’t take long. An hour, at most.”

He could see the worry in Evan’s eyes—like he expected Baptiste to abandon him the way everyone did. “Okay.”

As if Evan was still in wolf form, Baptiste stroked the man’s hair. “Don’t worry. I’ll be back soon.”

Evan nodded, and Baptiste disappeared. He landed on Jonathan’s porch and rang the bell. He was tempted to zap inside, stamping all over their rules of propriety. For heaven’s sake, they’d taken his mates into custody. Fuck manners. The door opened, and Dougal stared out. His jaw was set in a hard line.

“Baptiste, come in. Jonathan is waiting for you.”

The ominous feel of the house had Baptiste on edge and doubled his confusion. He’d thought they’d found a modicum of friendship. “What’s going on? Bleidd said my mates were detained.”

Dougal tossed a glance over his shoulder as he led Baptiste down the hall. “Aye, earlier today. Jonathan will explain everything.”

“That makes no sense. Eirik is a god.”

“Aye, I know.”

Jonathan came into view. He looked more powerful than usual tonight, standing outside the same guest bedroom where Baptiste had his last argument with is mates. No friendship marred the man’s features. He was the Nephilim—the grandson of Goddess Celeste tonight.

“Baptiste,” Jonathan said, dipping his chin.

Lire and Faolan appeared behind him before he could respond. He felt trapped in the narrow hallway with Jonathan and Dougal blocking one way and Faolan and Lire blocking the other, especially when he felt a wave of weariness overcome him. He wasn’t tired. It was more of a draining of power. Symbols on the walls glowed orange, making him realize the king had him trapped, draining his magic.

“What the fuck?” Baptiste growled. His rage grew.

Jonathan opened the door beside him and waved Baptiste inside. “I’ve recaptured Kallus from his earlier escape, and Eirik has been brought in for interfering with king’s business.”

Baptiste strolled inside and found his mates pacing the floor, trapped behind a wall of invisible magic. The level of Baptiste’s fury at seeing his mates caged like animals was enough to bring down the house. His powers were dampened. He couldn’t fight. Not to mention, this was Jonathan. He was a reasonable man.

“Let them go. You said it was my place to judge them. Let them go. That’s what I want.”

For a moment, Jonathan looked sad. “I’m sorry, Baptiste. That was the case before, but now you’re equally guilty of abandonment. All three of you will stay until you’ve come to a mutual agreement.”

“What?” His brain wouldn’t work.

“Hopefully, you won’t be here long,” Jonathan said with a sad smile. “I don’t like this either,” he added. “You’re a good man, and I’d like to think we’re friends, but I’m a king first.”

He turned, as if ready to leave. Horror overcame Baptiste. He scrambled after Jonathan. “Wait. Hold up. Evan will think I abandoned him. Don’t do that to me. Everyone else has already left him.” Jonathan turned at his plea.

“Told you I smelled the dog,” Kallus said behind him.

Baptiste ignored him and didn’t let up. “Please? I left him in Sweden at our cabin. I promised him I’d be right back. If I don’t show, he’ll be heartbroken. Evan is so young and sweet. He won’t understand. He doesn’t deserve that level of cruelty of being dropped like a stray.” He had to make Jonathan understand. “I can’t do that to him. I can’t do what was done to me.”

“But you did,” Jonathan pointed out. His voice was soft, as if expected to spook Baptiste, or hoped to soothe his panic even as he admonished him. “You walked away from your mates with every intention of not coming back.”

A swift denial raced to Baptiste’s lips. It didn’t fall, but realization struck. He was furious with the men standing at his back. But, in his heart, he never intended to stay gone. He’d only wanted them to taste what he had. Baptiste had needed them to understand the hopelessness. They had to feel what he’d felt, or he’d never forgive them. He’d never look at them the same.

Jonathan patted his shoulder. “Don’t worry about Evan. I’ll fetch him in an hour, if you haven’t come to terms by then.”

Relief washed over Baptiste. Evan would come and know his importance. When the door closed, leaving Baptiste with nothing else to focus upon, he took a breath. Even to his ears, the life-giving oxygen passing his lips sounded ragged. He turned and tried eyeing everything except his mates. The wooden bedframe was still cracked from Niall and his abuse. Kallus sat on the edge of the bed. Baptiste’s gaze skirted over him and landed on the cherry wood dresser. It had a mirror hanging over it. Eirik stood, leaning against the piece. Fuck. There was no safe place to look. No one said anything, making the situation twice as awkward.

“Come here,” Kallus said.

Baptiste’s gaze automatically shot his way. The hard set to Kallus’ jaw said he wouldn’t tolerate disobedience. The hurt in his eyes said it would break him if Baptiste refused. The combination had Baptiste’s feet moving in his direction. He stopped just out of Kallus’ reach. Kallus held his hand out to Baptiste. Baptiste looked between his beautiful blue eyes and the outstretched hand. He was temptation’s bitch.

“Please?”

Baptiste reached out and stroked the tips of Kallus’ fingers. They were so hot. Baptiste wanted more. His palm slid across Kallus’s. A sharp breath escaped Kallus, forcing Baptiste’s eyes up. Kallus stared at their hands, looking like he expected the worst while praying for the best. There was so much desperation in his eyes. His fingers closed around Baptiste’s hand. He tugged, pulling Baptiste closer until Baptiste stood between his knees. Kallus touched his lips to the back of Baptiste’s hand and held it there. Baptiste couldn’t look away. Kallus swallowed so hard Baptiste heard it happen. He felt the man’s lips shape into a smile before falling again against his skin.

“So many times over the years, I’ve just wanted to hold your hand.”

The backs of Baptiste’s eyes stung at Kallus’ confession. A drop of water so hot it scalded his skin landed on Baptiste’s hand before rolling away. It took Baptiste a moment to realize it was a tear. Baptiste found himself shuffling closer. He wasn’t the type to intentionally hurt anyone. It made him sick to think of his mates hurting. Baptiste’s heart hurt, and he was exhausted.

“You could’ve been holding my hand for three years now, if you hadn’t walked away.”

Kallus shook his head and brushed his lips across the back of Baptiste’s hand. “I’m the reason Mammon knew how to bind you to that chair.” Baptiste stared at the top of Kallus’ head and tried working through the man’s words. Thankfully, Kallus didn’t force him to question the confession. His gaze met Baptiste’s gaze and Baptiste couldn’t look away from the pain in Kallus’ eyes. “While being tortured, I tried giving him enough to make the pain stop, while not giving him enough to harm either of you.” Kallus visibly swallowed. “He has ways… I don’t know how to fix that betrayal. You could’ve died because of me. Eirik did die because of me. I don’t deserve to hold your hand.”

Baptiste cupped Kallus’ jaw. “Everything that’s happened, happened because of Mammon and no one else. I’m a man too. I get that we act and don’t talk things out.” Baptiste pushed his words through a rapidly swelling throat. “I understand you don’t want to tell me about the three days with Mammon when I couldn’t find you, but if you’d spent five minutes with me, you would’ve known how I feel about things.” Baptiste moved closer, and Kallus wrapped his arms around his waist, holding on. He held Kallus’ jaw, ensuring the man couldn’t look away. “You would’ve known, I just wanted you to come home. I had to go to bed every night and wake up every morning, knowing the last time I saw you, you were half alive.”

“I didn’t—”

“Shhh,” Baptiste said, trying to have his say for once. “It doesn’t matter why you chose to stay away, you still chose to stay away. Celeste gave me this,” he said, pulling the necklace out from inside his shirt and showing it to Kallus. “It’s so I can touch you, and that’s all I wanted—to hold you and see for myself you were okay. To kiss away any lingering pain.”

While holding his gaze, Kallus slowly unbuttoned his shirt until the material hung open. “I’m okay. See? No scars or anything.”

Baptiste dropped his gaze to Kallus’ chest. His mouth watered, and each breath came a little harder than the last. He pushed the material aside and trailed his fingers along his mate’s perfect skin. Demons ran hotter than the average human since they were more energy than solid, leaving them free to possess others. Baptiste had only ever felt Kallus with protective material between them. It was hard to hold on to his anger while finally touching his mate. His throat swelled to the point he couldn’t speak.

“I’ve never thought of you as weak,” Kallus said, bringing Baptiste’s gaze back to his. No one could see his face and call him a liar.

“Me either,” Eirik said, making Baptiste jump when his hands unexpectedly landed on Baptiste’s shoulders. Baptiste didn’t pull away, even as Eirik’s body molded against his back and his arms crossed Baptiste’s chest. “I’m the one who’s weak. No matter what happens to whatever body I’m in, the gods won’t let me die. As long as there is a heaven or a world and a path between them, I will exist. Until I loved you both, I never realized how much that could be a curse. If anything happened to either of you, I’d be trapped—never ceasing to exist with nothing to live for. I saw that horrible fate play out for me when I rushed into that house and saw the two of you bound. You’re the strong one,” Eirik added. “I’ve always known you could live without me, blood mated or not.”

Everything Evan had said was true. Eirik hadn’t meant to make Baptiste feel weak or unimportant. That didn’t mean all was forgiven, but damn, he needed a break from the constant pain and anger he’d felt for the past three years. He wasn’t over this. That would take time. Baptiste was still furious, but those emotions were dulled with Kallus and Eirik touching him. They were his biggest weakness. There wasn’t much he wouldn’t do for them, even if it meant swallowing his pain.

The door flew open and Jonathan poked his head inside. “Is everything worked out?” He looked so damn happy and hopeful, Baptiste almost hated to squash his optimism.

Baptiste pushed Kallus’ shirt over his shoulders and down his arms. “No,” Baptiste said, holding Kallus’ gaze. “We’re nowhere near coming to terms.”

“Okie dokie,” Jonathan chirped, slamming the door closed.

The distinct sound of a bolt being thrown filled the room. Then, everything was silent. Only Eirik’s breaths brushing his ear broke through the quiet. “Has Eirik checked the rest of your body for scars or lingering injuries yet?” Baptiste asked, as he peeled away Kallus’ shirt.

Kallus shook his head. “We’ve been busy searching for you.”

“We should check now. Don’t you think?” Eirik asked.

“Demons don’t scar, Little Mouse,” Kallus said as he sprang, covering Baptiste’s mouth with his.

For half a second, Baptiste froze at the unexpected move. His body didn’t care what Baptiste thought about the situation. It knew its mate. The moment Kallus’ tongue touched the corner of his mouth, Baptiste opened for him. His entire body lit as their tongues met. It was the first time they’d ever been able to kiss like this. He’d always tried hard not to envy Eirik for his freedom with Kallus’ body. Now everything was his. Eirik’s lips skimmed Baptiste’s nape. His short fingernails skimmed Baptiste’s sides as he dragged Baptiste’s shirt up. Baptiste pulled away from Kallus only long enough for Eirik to pull the material over his head and toss it aside. Then he was back, savoring Kallus’s kiss.

Eirik tore at Baptiste’s clothes. Baptiste let it happen. He no longer cared about anything beyond the need to connect with the other pieces of his soul. Baptiste went for the button of Kallus’ pants. Kallus fell back across the mattress and let Baptiste have his way. For a moment, with Eirik’s mouth caressing every new inch of Baptiste’s skin he bared, Baptiste had to stop and breathe through the lust.

“Look what I found,” Eirik said, sounding triumphant. “Someone uses this room,” he added as he tossed a bottle of lube on the bed next to Kallus.

Baptiste snatched it up. “Good.” His gaze met Kallus’s. The man looked half crazed with desire. “I’ll need this.”

“Goddamn,” Kallus breathed, sounding every bit as turned on as he appeared.

Baptiste took his time, stripping Kallus bare and oiling the man’s asshole. Eirik reached past him, snagged Kallus’ legs, and hauled the man to the edge of the bed.

His hot breath brushed Baptiste’s ear as he urged Kallus’ legs higher. “Fuck him, Little Mouse. He’s been waiting for too long, and I’m out of patience.” The growled confession nearly buckled Baptiste’s knees. Kallus held his stare as Baptiste pushed his way inside. The way the demon bit his lip before gasping, as if in heaven, almost had Baptiste coming. Then, Eirik took control, fingering Baptiste’s asshole before impaling him with his cock. Baptiste saw stars. Kallus was twice as hot as any other man would be on his dick. Baptiste needed a moment to center himself but Eirik didn’t let him have it. Eirik set their pace. The entire bed rocked, scraping across the hardwood floor as Eirik slammed inside Baptiste, pushing Baptiste deeper inside Kallus.

Baptiste kissed any body part he could reach, losing himself to the moment. It was hot as hell, watching Kallus struggle for air and tug at his cock—like he was crazed from the havoc Baptiste wreaked on his body. Sexy images filled Baptiste’s head. He wanted his men’s cocks in his mouth. Baptiste craved the sensation of having them fill his ass at the same time. Eirik’s fangs pierced his skin without warning. Baptiste cried out. Eirik’s grip tightened on Baptiste’s throat. An orgasm slammed into him, stealing his every thought. Nothing but the pleasure existed. The ecstasy of Eirik’s cock stretching him wide while pops of electricity danced on his dick, forcing him to fill Kallus’ ass with cum, was the only thing he knew. He couldn’t stop writhing and reaching for more. Scalding hot cum coated his stomach as Kallus’ orgasm joined his. Still, even with Kallus’ cries bouncing from the walls, Baptiste couldn’t stop fucking him.

“You are both mine,” Eirik growled as he came.

The claim had Baptiste crying out. There was a tug in his chest, letting him know the declaration had been more than just words. Eirik, the god and protector of the gateway, had just demanded recognition of his mates. It had been an open claim in his new form. Nothing could undo those words. Kallus and he belonged to Eirik. They were a god’s mates.

Even after they collapsed into a sweaty, cum-soaked mess, and the cool air dried their skin, Baptiste waited for the regret to rush in. It didn’t come. He held tighter to his men, tugging them closer until he could barely breathe. Goddess help him, he loved them more than he loved himself. His eyes burned with unshed tears. There was nothing he wouldn’t endure as long as they lived and loved him in return.

Eirik’s lips brushed his cheek, as if he felt Baptiste’s pain. “Stop thinking, Little Mouse. I love you. If anyone ever comes for us again, I won’t make the same mistakes. Nothing breaks this,” he said, tightening his hold on them both.

Kallus pressed his forehead to Baptiste’s and nodded while holding his gaze. “Never again. I can’t ever be separated from either of you again. I can’t,” he repeated, sounding every bit as broken as Baptiste had felt for the past three years. Baptiste knew then, the suffering hadn’t been his alone. He’d wanted to prove he was strong, but—really—all he’d done was prove to himself he was weak. Without these men, he was incomplete. He could exist without them. That he knew, but he couldn’t live without them, and that wasn’t at all the same.

For a long time, they held each other. Even though Baptiste knew he wouldn’t sleep, he closed his eyes and held tight. Although he was a Druid and believed in the elements above all else, he still prayed to Odin. He begged the Norse god to keep their union safe from ever dealing with anything like this again. In that bed, while holding his mates, he believed his prayers were heard.