(Amaia)

The decision has left me slightly baffled and embarrassed. The thought of being intimate with all five of them has crossed my mind countless times, but I didn’t know it would take such a quick and drastic turn.

And Alnilam agreeing to it, that is like a dream coming true. I thought he would never be intimate with me let alone in front of his brothers. Even now, I am not sure if he has agreed to do it in front of them or if he is going to kick everyone out.

Maybe he is overexcited about finding his brother alive and all his rationality is buried under the exhilaration of the moment. Among them all, I feel Alnilam’s exuberance, the most. Maybe it’s because he remembers Rigel more clearly than the others. He had spent time with him.

Whatever, it is, I am going to take it. I wish to see Rigel, I want to be in his arms. Tell him that everything will be alright now that I know the enemy. I wish to kiss his soft lips and weave my fingers through his dark hair.

I will die trying to remove those curses from him and let him lead a peaceful life, where no one will hurt him.

Not again, never again.

I don’t know what they have decided but I fully trust my mates to the extent that I will blindly follow them wherever they want to take me.

Healer TJ comes into the room. He checks my pulse and then my eyes.

"How are you feeling? Any nausea? Dizziness?" He kindly asks. He hardly uses that tone with anyone. Usually, he scolds them all.

"No, I am fine." I shake my head.

"You must take care of yourself, young lady. Your blood is precious and rare." He sighs.

"And you won’t even tell me who the only donor is." My eyes waver to the three of them.

Alnilam sits casually, his expressions give nothing away.

Alnitak is trying to hide the bubbling laughter.

Mintaka zips his lips and throws away the key.

I shake my head, it’s useless to ask them and I don’t want to push right now. It’s a joyous moment for us all.

"I can’t."

TJ then turns to my mates and gives them elaborate instructions about me needing to rest but we have other plans.

"We will take care of her," Mintaka says while Alnilam gets up and walks over to me.

Healer TJ leaves the room after discharging me.

He bends down and kisses the top of my head. "I will see you soon. I need to ensure that Rigel is safe and no one finds out he is with us." His hair lightly brushes against my cheek as if kissing me too.

"Take care of him," I whisper. He nods before leaving, taking his mesmerising scent with him.

"I will get us some food. Min you take Amaia to her room." Alnitak also disappears through the door.

Mintaka takes me to my room. He helps me shed the infirmary gown, shower, and change into a soft pink shirt with "Trust" written on the front and starry pyjamas.

I feel refreshed while Alnitak brings us food. The three of us sit and enjoy. Mintaka insists on feeding me with his hand. The caring things he does for me, show how he knows how to take care of his mate.

Life seems so easy with him but in reality, our life is far from easy. It’s messed up, especially the secret I carry now.

They make small jokes but their subtle eye movements in between tell me there is something going on and they haven’t told me about it.

A tease of guilt passes through the bond every now and then.

Their eyes and bond don’t lie but today I don’t push them. Maybe it’s something related to Rigel and them. Something from the past. I have to trust them to tell me when it’s time.

"If you get uncomfortable at any moment, just tell us to stop. We won’t be doing anything you are not comfortable with," Alnitak says, taking the plate from me and placing it on the table.

Understandably, I nod. It’s not only something new for me but for them too. None of us has done this apart from the joint intimacy the three of us had.

"Okay!"

"Where is your grumpy bird?" Alnitak teasingly asks, seeing the empty birdhouse.

I smile. Only if they knew. "Must be out, flying free in the air."

"Nah! Must be fighting with some other bird for sure." Alnitak chuckles, making me shake my head.

As the night falls, they take me to Alnilam’s office where they have hidden Rigel. I am not sure what to expect but my heart pounds at the thought of seeing him. I shouldn’t be afraid and yet a part of me is terrified.

Alnitak opens the door and we enter. Mintaka goes around the table and presses the button to open the partition. The bookshelf splits and we slowly step inside the hidden space which seems to be partially lit by candles.

My eyes curiously dart, my heart ferociously pounds and I find what I am looking for.

Rigel is seated on the sofa with Saiph standing right beside him. The calmness on his face ebbs away as soon as his crimson eyes find me. The canines elongate and his shadows lift off his body like a silent wreath, hovering over him.

Anyone else would have been terrified of this scene but he is my mate and no matter how he reacts seeing me, I know it’s not his fault.

His body jerks forward, hands extending like claws but he is pushed back by some invisible barrier.

Mintaka’s protective arms come around me while confusion descends.

"Solshield Ash, he won’t be able to touch you." Saiph points to the floor where I see a circle has been drawn with some ash.

Saiph pushes Rigel back to the sofa, holding his shoulders from behind.

My heart hurts, this shouldn’t be happening. He needs to be free not held like this.

"How are you feeling?" Saiph questions as Rigel tries to gather himself and fight back against this curse. The curse which is propelling him to hurt me.

The heartache I experience seeing him like that doesn’t break me, it simply unravels me bringing forth the deepest of my emotions and feelings.

Rigel is the first one to love me without any conditions. The one who always chooses me no matter the consequences. The one who doesn’t care for the world, because I am the centre of his.

Now, in this situation, I am not going to abandon him.

My gaze finds his feral eyes. They are like a planet. On the surface is this raging ferociousness to hurt me. But in those deep layers is hidden his vulnerability, into those chasms and valleys lies the boundless love he holds for me and woven in the darkest depths is a tenderness which he carries only for me.

"I have been better," I answer Saiph, taking a bold step forward.

Saiph’s hold instantly tightens on Rigel, his arms looping around his body tethering him in place. I don’t know how Saiph does it, overpowering a vampire but he is always able to simmer Rigel’s powers down.

Another step and I end some of the distance between us. Rigel’s body trembles as I near, he is trying to hold himself back. Fighting the damned curse.

"Careful," Alnitak whispers from behind me, warning me not to cross the barrier.

"I want to go to him."

"Let Alnilam come. His magic will help and keep both of you safe," he whispers, his arms shackling my waist.

"Is he going to?" Saiph asks, his face rigid from the force he has to apply, holding Rigel in his place.

"Yes, we are hoping he will. Currently, dealing with Headmaster Fallon and sentinels. They have found out that Rigel is missing," Mintaka explains.

My mind and eyes remain on Rigel.

"Hey!" I softly try to call him out but only earn a ferocious growl from him.

How will this even work later? Won’t I be able to hold him? Go to him? Kiss him without someone holding him down like a prisoner or wild animal.

My instincts scream to rush and embrace him, soothe him.

"Why isn’t he speaking to me?" My voice trembles. "Did he speak to you guys?"

My eyes finally waver to Saiph and he holds my saddened gaze.

"I think it’s because of the new curse on him."

I gulp, the pain in my chest intensifies. I want to throw every caution to the wind and just hug Rigel. Hold his face and let him know, I am here no matter what.

Before I can wriggle out of Alnitak’s hold, the partition opens and the fresh scent of pines and leather-bound books hits me.

I don’t even need to look to know, he is here.