Chapter 311

Chapter 311
Ashley pov

The moment I see a chance to get some privacy, I grab it. My heart’s been pounding since the triplets arrived, and I can’t keep pretending everything is normal. There’s too much I need to say, too much they need to hear.

I glance around the room, making sure no one’s paying too much attention, and then motion for Elias, Everett, and Ethan to follow me.

“Come with me,” I whisper, mainly to ensure they really will.

They exchange curious glances but follow without question. We walk through the castle halls until I push open the door to the library. The heavy scent of old books fills the air, and I close the door behind us, leaning against it for a moment.

Ethan is the first to speak. “Alright, Ash. What’s going on?”

I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself. The words feel like they’re stuck in my throat, but I force them out. “I need to explain something. About us.”

Elias steps closer, his expression serious but patient. “We’re listening.”

I nod, wringing my hands together. “This bond between us, you know, the very important bond I’m sure everyone here knows about by now. You didn’t feel it before because of Kaiden.”

“Kaiden?” Everett asks, his brows furrowing.

“Because of the forced bond,” I clarify. “When he attempted to reclaim me after the rejection, it blocked any other connection I might’ve had. And I know it’s very selfish of me, but I’ve known about the bond between us ever since we met. I just.. Fuck, I couldn’t do it. Not after experiencing a rejection, I just couldn’t face that horror again.” I look down, unable to meet their eyes.

“So now that he’s gone, we feel the bond?” Elias asks softly.

I nod. “Yes. That’s why you’re feeling it now. And I get it if this is all too much. If you don’t want this. I know it’s not fair to you. You didn’t ask for any of this.”

There’s silence for a moment, and it’s unbearable. I dare a glance up and see all three of them watching me, their expressions unreadable.

Ethan steps forward, his usual playful grin nowhere to be seen. “Ash, why do you think we wouldn’t want this?”

“Because I don’t deserve it,” I blurt out before I can stop myself. The words tumble out, raw and unfiltered. “I don’t deserve you. Any of you. I’ve caused so much chaos. People have died because of me. I’m not the kind of person who should get a happy ending.”

Everett’s jaw tightens, and he speaks for the first time since we entered the library. “You think you caused all this?”

“Didn’t I?” I shoot back, my voice cracking. “If I’d never been forced into that bond with Kaiden, none of this would’ve happened. The kingdom wouldn’t be in ruins, people wouldn’t have died-”

“That’s not on you,” Elias cuts in, his tone firm but gentle. “That’s on Kaiden. And the king. They made their choices, not you.”

I shake my head, tears stinging my eyes. “You don’t understand. I’ve made mistakes too. I’m not perfect. I’m not...”

“Good enough?” Ethan finishes for me, his voice softer than I’ve ever heard it.

I nod, unable to speak.

Ethan steps closer, his expression serious for once. “Ash, let me tell you something. None of us are perfect. Not me, not Everett, not Elias. But this bond? It’s not about being perfect. It’s about being meant for each other. And we are.”

I look at him, my heart aching for something I can’t describe. “How can you be so sure?”

“Because I feel it,” he says simply. “I feel it in every part of me. And I’m not letting you push us away because you’re scared.”

Everett steps forward next, his gaze steady. “You think you don’t deserve us? Well, we don’t deserve you either. But that doesn’t matter. What matters is that we’re here, and we’re not going anywhere.”

Finally, Elias moves closer, standing directly in front of me. His presence is calm and grounding, and I feel myself start to relax despite the storm raging inside me.

“You’ve been through hell,” he says quietly. “And you’ve come out of it stronger. That’s what matters, Ash. Not the mistakes, not the past. What matters is where we go from here. Together.”

The tears spill over, and I swipe at them angrily. “You’re all so sure about this. About me. How can you be so sure?”

Elias reaches out, his hand cupping my cheek. His touch is warm and I don’t want to lose this feeling ever again. “Because we’ve been looking for you our entire lives. And now that we’ve found you, we’re not letting you go.”

Before I can respond, he leans down and presses a gentle kiss to my lips. It’s soft, almost hesitant, like he’s waiting for me to pull away. But I don’t. I can’t.

When he pulls back, Everett steps forward, his lips pulling into a small smile. “My turn,” he says, leaning down to kiss me as well. His kiss is firmer, more confident, and it sends a shiver down my spine.

Finally, Ethan steps in, his grin returning. “Saving the best for last,” he jokes, but his voice is softer than usual. He kisses me too, and it’s playful and warm, just like him.

When he pulls back, I’m left standing there, overwhelmed and speechless.

Ethan grins. “So, what do you say, Ash? Are you going to accept us or what?”

I look at each of them, my heart pounding. The bond between us feels stronger than ever, and for the first time ever, I feel truly whole.

“I accept,” I whisper, my voice shaky but sure. “I accept all of you.”

The relief on their faces is immediate, and Ethan pulls me into a hug, spinning me around until I’m laughing despite myself.

“You’re stuck with us now,” he says, setting me back on my feet.

“Good,” I reply, smiling through my tears. “Because I don’t want to let you go.”