Page 50 of Accidental Blood Lust
“I’ll be there to help,” Cassius says. “The sooner the better.”
“I’ll start researching,” Rune says.
Cassius steps between me and Roman, gazing at all three of us. “I suggest you boys clear the air and discuss the important things before this next adventure. You all should know.”
“Know what?” Lochlan asks.
Cassius just offers a faint smile before excusing himself. The others follow, and a few seconds later, we’re all alone again.
“You guys know something I don’t,” Lochlan says. “Right?”
Roman, now completely shifted back to his human form, turns to me with questions in his eyes. There’s a strong chance this is going to hurt more than anything else ever could, but Loch deserves to know.
“Cassius told me it should be both of us,” Roman says. “Together we can fix Loch.”
“Why me?”
Roman’s brow creases. “He needs to feed on more than one of us. Since he’ll be fully drained, the amount he’ll need would be too much to take from one person. And because we’re connected. Your blood is already in him, and you’re in his heart too. It will help him heal.”
“What’s going on?” Loch sounds frustrated now. “Stop talking about me like I’m not here.”
“Tell him, Rome.”
“I can’t,” he whispers.
“Tell me what?”
“Loch—” My voice cracks. Fuck.
“Whatever it is, I can handle it,” Loch says bravely. “And I want you both to know something.”
“No, Loch,” Roman says.
“I’m sorry for hurting you, Jare, and I’m sorry for messing up your friendship. I’m sorry for dragging you into this mess, Roman.”
“Loch,” I groan.
“But I care about you both. Jare, I love you. I’ve never stopped loving you, and Roman, I feel…” He shakes his head. “I don’t know how to explain it. I was so jealous of you and Jareth, but being around you now, I just…” He huffs and looks away.
I can’t take this anymore. “Tellhim, Roman. Don’t make me do it.”
He looks at me pleadingly. “Will you? Please. I can’t.”
I scoff at the irony. I have to break my own heart. Awesome.
“Lochlan.”
“Yes, Jare?”
“You and Roman are…” My stomach churns with grief. “You’re fated mates.”
SIXTEEN
LOCHLAN
Fated mates.
I’ve heard the words before, Cas might have even mentioned something, but I’m not sure I totally understand the concept. A thrill runs through me anyway, like there’s a more primal part of me that understands it perfectly and gets a bone-deep satisfaction from hearing the words. Maybe I’m just relieved to have an explanation for why I’ve been reacting the way I have to Roman.
