Magi's Path (Aether's Revival Book 3) by Daniel Schinhofen (best black authors .TXT) 📗

Gregory gave her a sheepish smile. “You got my attention pretty quick.”

“I would be upset if I hadn’t, but don’t change the subject. Is that what was bothering you when we went to bed?”

“Yeah, it was.”

Yukiko’s smile softened further. “Dearest, do you worry what she might do?”

“Others knowing could put you at risk,” Gregory said, reaching up to lightly touch her cheek. “I don’t want my heart at risk.”

Yukiko turned her head and kissed the palm of his hand. “And I will protect mine with everything I have.” Taking a deep breath, she met his gaze. “Even if it means needing others to help me.”

Gregory’s brow furrowed slightly at her words. “Huh?”

“I asked you once if you would give me something if I asked for it.”

“And I will. Anything my heart wants, she will get,” Gregory said, raising his hand to caress her cheek.

“I…” Yukiko started, but she couldn’t get the words out. Swallowing, she closed her eyes and exhaled a ragged breath. “I promised her...” she whispered.

“Yuki?” Gregory asked, worried for her.

Opening her eyes, Yukiko stared down into his. “Dearest, Jenn has a single wish. One thing she wanted so badly, that she put everything on the line during the fight with you. It’s a simple wish, and yet... complex. It’s why I know that she’ll never betray us.”

Gregory stared into Yukiko’s cyan eyes. “If you trust her that much, I do, too.”

Yukiko’s lips trembled. “Jenn’s wish is to be with us forever, dearest.”

“Okay,” Gregory said. “I enjoy having her beside us. She’s our dear friend, and we both care for her. If she wants to walk beside us, that’s fine.”

Yukiko’s eyes searched his, her heart both elated and trembling in pain. “I had thought you would balk, dearest.”

“Why would I balk at having her being beside us?”

Yukiko blinked slowly, then sighed. “Dearest, you didn’t understand. She wants to become your second wife.”

Gregory’s smile froze, and his eyes widen as understanding dawned on him. “W-wait? What?”

Yukiko giggled lightly when she saw the shock she’d been expecting. “Jenn wants to love you. I don’t blame her for wanting you. We’ve talked since she joined us in the clan. An agreement was reached, but only if you approved.”

“I... uh... huh. I don’t even know what to think.”

“I understand, dearest. It’s your choice if she’s allowed that close or not.”

“And you’re okay with this?” Gregory asked, looking up at her.

“Yes and no. Part of me wants to be selfish and keep you as mine alone, not even sharing you with Darkness, though I know that isn’t a possibility. The other part of me wants her to join us. We’ll be stronger together, and she’ll help me protect my heart. I promised her I would ask you— that was our deal for the tournament. If she’d lost, she would have to wait at least a full year before I asked.”

Gregory just stared at her. His mind was whirling, trying to come to terms with what she was saying. Seeing him struggling with his thoughts, Yukiko shifted a little more and lay her head on his chest.

“You don’t have to answer right away, dearest, and you can answer for or against. Jenn knows that our hearts belong to each other. She hopes that she might have a sliver of her own, though.” Swallowing, Yukiko added, “And a tiny part of me hopes that she’ll be allowed. I do want her to stay with us... not just for the academy, but far longer.”

“I told you I would give you anything, Yuki, and I meant that. I do care for Jenn. I want her to stay beside us, too, but I don’t know if I love her.”

Yukiko’s heart beat a little quicker, and she squeezed him. “Thank you, dearest. The decision is yours.”

“I wish I could use my foresight like Lightshield does,” Gregory sighed. “It would be so much easier if I could see where it might lead.”

“Trust your heart. I do,” Yukiko said softly, kissing his bare chest.

“I’ll always trust you, Yuki. I don’t want to hurt Jenn, either. Do you think I should speak with her? Would she be hurt if I said I need time?”

“No. I think she would understand. Even the idea that you’re considering it will probably make her glow.”

“Okay. I’ll let her know you told me, and that I’m coming to terms with the idea.”

“I love you, dearest,” Yukiko murmured, kissing his chest again. “I worried about telling you. What if you hated me for even asking, or worse— jumped at the idea and went to her without hesitation?”

“I wou—”

Yukiko reached up and placed a finger to his lips, cutting him off. “I know you wouldn’t. It doesn’t stop that fear, though. Fear doesn’t have to be rational. It made me happy that you asked if I was okay, first.”

Gregory kissed her finger, and she withdrew it. “You are my heart, as I am yours. I only want you to be happy, Yuki. I don’t know if Jenn will ever have a part of my heart, but—”

“Our heart,” Yukiko cut in softly. “She wants to be with both of us. You a little more than me, but still, the both of us.”

“Oh…” Gregory said, his voice trailing off as his mind ran off with that idea.

Yukiko began to giggle. “That way, too, but I meant that she knows that we would all have to share.”

“What’s the agreement, exactly?” Gregory asked, trying to distance his thoughts from the more provocative ones.

“That I will be your first wife. She will be subordinate to me and me alone, not including you, of course. She’ll only be allowed to have one child after we’ve had two. I’m sure things will become more clear and defined