Cassandra's Dilemma (34 page)

“Whatever else is necessary?” Cassie’s brows drew together. “Is it that bad, Jacob?”

“He is worried for you, Cassandra.” Helcyon’s gentle tone defended Jacob. “We both are. I like the idea of being revealed to the world, to be free once again to walk without fear of discovery. But you are not going to be safe in that world.”

“She’s not safe in any world.” Jacob sighed, but he pulled a hand from his pocket and grasped her free hand, cradling it in his larger palm. The connection was instantaneous, a blossoming of heat that raced from Helcyon through her to Jacob and back again.

“Wow.” Energy coalesced around her, filling her to the brim. Jacob’s dark expression eased, and Helcyon’s grew thoughtful.

“Again, the Wizard is correct. You are not safe in a world where we are hidden nor in one where we are in the open. But we will keep you safe, together.”

Jacob squeezed her hand. “You said you loved us. Did you mean it?”

Cassie nodded, excitement brimming inside of her. “Yes. I meant it. I love you. I love both of you. I don’t understand it, but I don’t care. I just know I need you both, so much.”

Helcyon’s soft chuckle shivered through her. “Stop teasing her, Wizard.”

“I’m not teasing, just wanted to make sure you knew she loves
both
of us.”

“So I heard.”

“You sure you don’t want more time to think about this?” Jacob’s gaze caressed her face, and Cassie grinned.

“I’m sure. Do you two want time to think about it?”

“You two are amusing.” Helcyon leaned forward and dropped a gentle kiss on Cassie’s lips. “There is no choice to be made. You chose us both at the lakeside, dearest Cassandra. You took from our power, blended it together, and gave it back to both of us. We are linked.”

“Forever?” Cassie stared up at him, dazed. The conference room faded away, leaving the three of them standing on her beach, under the scattering of stars, with the waves lapping up to kiss the sand.

“You are going to have to learn to get that under control.” Jacob laughed.

“And so we will teach her.”

A few days ago, she’d been certain she was going to change the whole world, but it was her world that was forever altered. Jacob tugged her to her feet, tucking her between him and Helcyon, sandwiching her with their warmth.

“Take us home, Cassandra,” Helcyon murmured against her hair. “I believe tonight belongs to me.”

Truth
.

THE END

HTTP://WWW.HEATHERLONG.NET

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Heather Long lives in Texas with her family and their menagerie of animals. As a child, Heather skipped picture books and enjoyed the Harlequin romance novels by Penny Jordan and Nora Roberts that her grandmother read to her. Heather believes that laughter is as important to life as breathing and that the Easter bunny, the tooth fairy, and Santa Claus are very real. In the meanwhile, she is hard at work on her next novel.

Siren Publishing, Inc.

www.SirenPublishing.com