(Mintaka)

Amaia remains agitated once the three of them are gone. It will be wrong to say I wasn’t.

"Who is my donor?" She asks, her gaze wavers from the dripping blood and finds me. "I know it’s one of you, but who?"

"Someone who cares." I pat her hand and she defeatedly sighs.

The drip ends and TJ comes to remove it.

"How are you feeling?" He asks, feeling my forehead with the back of his hand.

"I am good."

Larissa brings her a glass of juice.

"Drink, it will restore your energy and help build blood." Sitting up she thanks Larissa and begins to drink.

The emotions burn in my chest as I feel my brothers. I wonder what’s going on. The truths Amaia has spoken have all of us jolted and now we wait for their return.

Amaia finishes the juice and my brothers return. Both appear content with whatever has gone down between them and Ezran or Rigel.

Alnilam goes on to sit beside Amaia while Alnitak comes to hug me tight. He speaks emotionally.

"Our brother is alive. Ezran is our brother. He is Rigel."

My body goes stiff from the revelation. The overwhelming emotions carve through me as we separate and I stare at Alnitak in total disbelief.

"Where is he?" I question Alnitak, trying for my voice not tremble.

It means Amaia was right. She knew and figured it out before any of us.

Her amused voice reaches me and both of us glance in the direction of our beautiful mate.

"Oh my God! Alnilam are you truly smiling?" My eyes waver to my older brother and it’s true. He indeed is smiling.

"You were right, Amaia. You reconnected us with our brother. I don’t have words to thank you." His hands reach for her, tenderly holding her face.

They stare at each other with a soft, quiet affection that transcends words.

"There is nothing to thank me for. You needed the truth and Rigel deserves to be with his family. He has been through enough."

I take a step closer to them and without thinking hug them both. My right arm goes around Alnilam’s shoulders and left around Amaia’s. Alnilam’s warm eyes find me and I can sense the happiness oozing off him. I don’t even know the last time I saw Alnilam this happy.

Alnitak doesn’t want to be left behind. He pounces on us in a collective group hug.

"I love you guys."

Amaia giggles and Alnilam has to slightly scold him. "Don’t crush her."

Once we are done showing our affections, we separate and Alnilam tells us everything about Rigel in detail.

The mindlink between Alnilam and me opens and he says.

"Rigel is leaving tonight. He wants to mate with Amaia before going but his curse prevents him from doing so. Also, his bloodlust has been heightened regarding Amaia so he can’t face her without trying to tear her throat apart. We will need to be there. All four of us will handle him and make this work. Amaia needs to heal and become stronger, maybe unlock the rest of her powers and strengthen her wings. We think mating will do that."

I understand that they don’t wish to tell all of this to Amaia, that’s why Alnitak has used the mindlink.

"Where will Rigel be going?" I ask, concerned.

"We don’t know. But until we can break the curse from him, he can’t stay here with Amaia."

Alnitak’s words give me a lot to think about.

"So, Headmaster Fallon is compromised. He can be involved with Rigel’s abductor," Amaia furthers, suddenly seeming frustrated.

"Yes, we are not sure but it’s a possibility." Alnilam leans back in the chair, watching her.

"When can I go and see Rigel? He is safe, right?" She is getting agitated again.

"He is with Saiph. Don’t worry, we will take you to him. Tonight." Amaia visibly relaxes at Alnitak’s words and he clears his throat, making her turn to watch him with curiosity.

"We were just discussing and wondering." 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

"What?" Amaia asks, placing her hand on her bandaged one. Thankfully, there are no wounds on her neck.

"You haven’t been intimate with Rigel, right? He said it’s because of the curse." Alnitak continues to speak.

A pain descends in her eyes and she nods her head.

"I had figured that much out."

"So we were thinking. Alnilam too." Alnitak elbows our older brother and he raises his hands in defence and shakes his head.

"Keep me out of it. This is your plan."

"Come now. You said you will think about it and be there." Alnitak scrunches his brows together.

"Yeah! You need to speak to Amaia first. Is she even comfortable with this?" All of our gazes fix on Amaia as she confusedly watches us.

"What’s going on?"

"We all want to help Rigel be intimate with you. Like all five of us will be present to hold him away from you because of his feral bloodlust and at the same time let him do it."

Embarrassment makes her cheeks go crimson and a shyness descends in her eyes that flickers to our older brother. They are the only ones who haven’t seen each other naked and his being her professor is not going to make this any easier.

"....umm how will that work? Has he agreed on this?" Amaia asks in a faltering, timid voice. Her hands nervously fidget in her lap.

Even my heart is racing at the thought. It shouldn’t, but somehow it excites me. Is it the ever-developing bond between the six of us or is it the prophecy which binds us together?

I don’t know the reason but I want to do this.

"We have a plan if you are willing to trust us. But it’s totally your decision. No obligation and no one is going to force you into doing anything you are not comfortable with," Alnitak says, putting both his arms around her and placing a kiss on her head.

"We believe it will heal you and make you strong. At least that’s what I know about Fae from the books. You need your strength," Alnilam who is lazily sitting in his chair, speaks casually.

Amaia blinks, leans into Alnitak’s touch and meekly whispers. "Let’s do this. I love all five of you and I want to be with you."