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

“And she agreed to this before we told her?” Gregory asked slowly, trying to understand.

“All those times that she and I went off alone, or talked without you nearby, it was always about this,” Yukiko replied. “She is serious, dear heart. I know she’ll do what’s best for you. I have pushed her on different scenarios repeatedly, and I trust that she will be as protective of you as I am.”

“Guess I need to talk with her,” Gregory said. Looking at the head of white hair on his chest, he kissed the top of it. “Thank you, dear. Now that I know how you feel and what she feels, I can try to understand how I feel.”

“Is she connected to your previous life?” Yukiko asked softly. “That’s one of my biggest fears, that she might turn out to be Aether’s love and that I’d be relegated to a secondary position in your heart.”

“Even if she was then, you’re my heart, now,” Gregory said. “You will never be second to me.” His arms tightened around her and he kissed her head again. “You will always be my heart. Even Darkness knows that.”

“I hope, dearest, but it doesn’t stop the fear. Your words help temper it, though.”

“I can do more than give you words,” Gregory murmured.

“It is early... maybe we can have a—?”

“Yuki, Greg,” Jenn’s voice came right after the knock that cut Yukiko off, “are you two awake?”

“A minute, Jenn,” Yukiko called back. “We just woke up.”

“Sorry, I know it’s earlier than normal. I’ll be downstairs.”

“We’ll be down quickly,” Yukiko replied.

Gregory exhaled as his rising hopes hit the rocks. “Well, that means we need to get going.”

“Yes, but we’ll have time for more of that later,” Yukiko murmured, kissing his chest again. “I’ll make sure of it.”

“I won’t turn that down,” Gregory replied, kissing her head and giving her one more squeeze before letting her go. “Okay.”

“We shouldn’t keep her waiting too long,” Yukiko sighed as she shifted off of his chest.

Gregory rolled out of the bedding and got up to dress in his new yellow kimono. “Yuki, I’m thinking it’s best to talk to her now. I’ll head outside when we go downstairs, if you’ll nudge her to join me. I know that the cooks won’t be ready since we’re up earlier than normal.”

“If that’s what you want, dearest.”

“I’d like to see if she’s okay with it,” Gregory said.

~*~*~

Gregory walked toward the hedge, his stomach flip-flopping the entire time. Just take it slow and be honest. It’ll either work or it won’t... But I don’t want her to leave. I enjoy having her with us. How did it get this complicated so quickly?

“Greg?” Jenn called out.

Turning around, he found her approaching. She was walking slower than usual, and he could see her hands clenching and unclenching. Seeing how nervous she was, he exhaled slowly and tried to calm his mind.

“Jenn, thanks for coming out here. Yuki and I were up early, and we were talking.” Jenn’s eyes widened, and her breathing hitched. “She told me what the bet was about before the tournament.”

Jenn swallowed hard, but didn’t say anything. The fear on her face was obvious.

“I’m not opposed to the idea, but I wanted to make sure you understood where I stand. Yuki will always be my heart. I’m sorry, but I don’t think that will ever change.”

Jenn’s brow furrowed, and her hands went white as she balled them tightly into fists. Lips twitching, she fought to stay calm as she felt her heart breaking.

“But, I am willing to see if my affection for you becomes more than friendship,” Gregory said quickly, seeing her reaction. “I don’t want to harm our friendship, either. My biggest fear is that this will go wrong and you’ll hate us.”

Jenn’s heart unclenched and she exhaled a shaky breath. “You’re not saying no, but you aren’t saying yes, either?”

Gregory rubbed at his face. “I’m making a mess of this.”

His reaction eased the rest of Jenn’s fears and she touched his shoulder. “Greg... I want to be with you and Yuki forever. I felt something when we met, and it’s only grown over the times we talked. It became harder to ignore the longer I was with you. I hated that I was jealous of Yuki, but my heart wouldn’t let me deny what I wanted. I don’t want to hurt you or Yuki. I’m not asking for you to wed me right now, nor am I asking to be Yuki’s equal, but I just hope that you’ll give me a sliver of love that might grow in time.”

Gregory dropped his hands and met her gray eyes. “I’m willing to try, but I have a condition.”

“Anything,” Jenn said without hesitation, the hope in her eyes growing.

“If you start to feel bad about this, tell us. I never want to lose your friendship. I will also tell you if I do.”

“Yes. I promise.”

“And, uh...” Gregory rubbed at his neck. “Just give me time to wrap my head around the idea, okay? I mean, I don’t know how to feel about it. I do care for you, but I don’t want to hurt you or Yuki, and I’m going to make mistakes.”

Jenn nodded, her smile bright. “I understand. I’m not your heart, not yet and possibly not ever, but the chance to be part of your heart is enough…” She trailed off and looked away. “You know that I like Yuki, too, right?”

Gregory’s face went red, and he coughed, looking away. “Yeah... Yuki mentioned that... and, uh…”

Jenn giggled softly and she lightly punched his arm. “It figures you’d think of that first. I mean that I want her love as I want yours. Not as strongly, but I still do. Maybe I’m