Chapter 25: Three Hearts Aligned part 1
Chapter 25: Three Hearts Aligned part 1
Mara’s POV
The training’s been a wild ride, my Aetherborn power surging like I’ve mainlined a star. My confidence? Oh, it’s back, baby, and I’m ready to run this show. Silas’s willingness to bend, to let Cassian in, cracks my heart open, his love a steady anchor. Cassian’s devotion, that quiet restraint in his blue eyes, earns him a spot in my orbit. I love them both—Silas, my rock, my forever; Cassian, my spark, my challenge. I want them, not just as mates, but as partners in this cosmic chaos. “Alright, boys,” I say, striding into the study, hands on hips, voice steady as steel. “I’m done picking teams. I want us three—together. You in, or do I need to draw you a diagram?”
Silas’s gray eyes widen, a smirk tugging at his lips. “A diagram, marine? What, you think we’re that slow?” He leans against the fireplace, all brooding charm, but I see the love shining through, warm and fierce.
Cassian chuckles, brushing back his dark hair, his thoughts flooding mine—She’s choosing me too, holy hell. “I’m game, Mara,” he says, his voice a low, teasing drawl. “But only if Silas promises not to growl every time I look at you.”
“Growl?” Silas scoffs, crossing his arms. “Keep dreaming, poet. I’m just making sure you don’t trip over your own ego.”
I laugh, the sound bright, but my heart’s pounding. Silas steps forward, his presence a storm, and pulls me into a deep, searing kiss that sets my blood ablaze and heat pooling between my legs. His lips are fierce, claiming, his hands gripping my waist as if anchoring us both against the chaos. My Aetherborn light flares, a warm glow pulsing through me, and I melt into him, tasting his love, his strength. He pulls back, his gray eyes softening, and with a nod, he steps away, a silent blessing. “Your turn, Cass,” he says, voice rough but steady, leaning against the wall with a smirk that’s half challenge, half trust.
Cassian’s blue eyes lock on mine, a mix of reverence and hunger. I step closer, my confidence surging, and cup his face, pulling him into our first kiss. It’s electric, his lips tentative then bold, a spark ignites my core. My light blazed brighter,as he deepend this kiss, I could feel his love, his need , his desire, the mate bond humming, our connection deepening like a star finding its orbit. I pull back, breathless, my glow illuminating the room, and grin. “Not bad, poet. You might just keep up.” Cassian's eyes bore into mine and he smirked, pulling in for a second kiss, this time more dominant, needy as though we’ve been starved of each other's taste for decades.
I heard Silas’s giggle and walked away, his voice gentle in my mind, “enjoy this moment marine I'll be back to claim you later” I could almost see his dark smirk in my mind as the words resonated.
Cassian hoisted me up, as I curled my legs around his waist, feeling my soaked panties press against him. He pulled back and took a deep breath, and grinned at me as my face flushed crimson, realising that he could smell my arousal. “Now, now, marine, we will have to be patient” he smirked as he let me down, slowly sliding me down his body. I could feel his cock already rock hard in his pants, I blushed even harder.
We sat by the fire, the air softer now, leaning against each other and I nudge him. “So, Cassian, how old are you? And how’d you end up with the fangs?” His smile falters, his thoughts darkening—Pain, betrayal, rage. He leans back, voice low. And giggled “Benn holding these questions back I see” he grinned , he raked his hands through his tousled hair and sighed “I’m pushing four centuries.” he weakly smiled, I could see the pain begin across his face “ I Was a soldier in the 1600s, until a female vampire, Isabella, found me. She spun tales of a mate bond, said I was her forever.” he let out an uncomfortable chuckle “ I believed her, let her turn me. And woke up to find her gone, her ‘bond’ a lie to lure me into this curse. I was broken, alone, a monster. Took me decades to track her down. When I did, I made her pay—slowly. She begged, but I ended her. No regrets.” a cold, calculated grin appeared on his face, he was at peace with his decision.
His words hit me hard, his pain was very raw, and I touched his hand, my light pulsing gently. “You’re not a monster, Cass. You’re here, with us. That’s what matters.” His eyes soften, and I felt our bond grow, a fragile but fierce thread weaving us closer.
Just then Silas tapped at the door frame a naughty smile strewn across his face, he came and lay his head in my lap for a while and in that moment I was at peace, I felt whole, everything was perfect in that moment , Silas inhaled deeply, his grey eyes flashed up to mine and darkened a devilish smirked appeared on his face and a low chuckle began in his throat.
“You know poet” Silas began in his deep gruff voice, Cassian looked down at Silas “Our little marine needs some help” he continued , heat rushed to my face, staining my skin bright red.
“Fuck” I thought.