Page 4 of Sincerely, Butterfly

“You're doing the right thing. That girl deserves the world.”

My eyes snap back to hers, jaw grinding in frustration. “I want to be the person who can give her that!”

“I know.” She nods. “I have no doubt that you could. But this life we live, the world we’re in? It’s no place for her, not now. She’s not ready yet. But you, Sylas, Wesley? You are. You have to be because there is no other way. Letting her go is the right thing to do, but watch her close—keep her safe. She is a bright, shining star who has the world at her fingertips. Don’t let the poison in our world drain her. Grow strong, take your rightful place,thenclaim your queen.” She gives me a playful smile.

“What if she doesn’t end up wanting me?” I ask, ashamed of how pathetic it makes me sound. “What if I become the very thing we’re trying to protect her from?”

No one goes into this kind of life and comes out unscathed.

“Oh, sweetheart,” she laughs, the sound almost musical. “That girl adores you three. I don’t think time apart will change that. When you're ready, she will understand. As for how this life is going toshape you, that is yet to be determined. But I know your heart, sweet boy. I know who you are deep down. This life won’t take away that light. Not completely. It didn’t with your father, and I believe it won’t with you. Not if you don’t let it.”

It’s easy for her to say that. While I want to be like my father, there’s no guarantee I will be.

“Us three?” My brows furrow.

“Yes. All three.” She pats my chest as she finishes the tie. “Sylas and Wesley are just as enthralled with Nola as you are. Rather than risk your friendship or back down, share her. They are the only people, apart from your father and me, that you can trust in this world. Build your connections rather than weaken them. You're going to need one another for the journey you’re set to embark on.”

Share her?

They are my best friends, my brothers.

Maybe. But for now, my mother is right. Nola isn’t ready to be thrown into our darkness. Hell, I don’t know half of what's yet to come.

Until I know everything, until I have this whole organization in my hands, we need to distance ourselves for her sake.

Mom looks to the side where Wesley and Sylas are waiting.

“Go to your friends.” Mom steps away. The two of them rush me immediately.

“Is she here?” Sylas asks.

“I don’t know,” I mutter, looking around.

“So… we’re really doing this?” Wesley asks, his brows pinched behind the rim of his glasses.

“Yes,” I sigh reluctantly.

“Do we have to?” Wesley asks.

“Yes,” Sylas says as if it were a dumb question. “Our lives are fucked up, man, and they’re about to get even crazier. You know what we have to do next week.”

Wesley’s lips curve into a smile. “Oh, I know, and it’s about damn time. I could have lost my virginity to Sasha last month.” His smile falls. “Stupid rules. At least once we get it over with, we’re free to fuck whoever we want.”

My mother says Sylas and Wesley’s feelings for Lola are the same as mine, but it’s moments like this when I’m not so sure.

Yes, they are both protective of her, but to me, it feels like they care in a brotherly way, like we do when it comes to Sylas’ little sister, Callie.

What I feel for Lola isn’t brotherly. Not at all.

I’m not looking forward to what this life will demand of me, but it’s my birthright, and it’s what I’m meant to do.

I’ve accepted it, but that doesn’t mean I have to like it.

“I don’t get it. Lola lives in the same world we do. Why are we protecting her from it?” Wesley asks.

“Lola’s dad does, not her. You see how protective he is of her. The only reason she comes to these things is because of us. I bet he would be happy to leave her home and away from all this if Lola wasn’t hell-bent on coming here.”

“So that's it?” Wesley asks. “We’re just done with her? No more being friends?”