He frowned and glanced at me. "I would not expect them to share you."
"They would all rather lose me to you, than to the Andersons. They'd rather not lose me at all. The guys don't have too many boundaries with each other, but if you do, we can figure them out. They'll share if you will."
"And how do you feel about that idea?"
"I…"
My hesitation hurt him. He turned away, lips tightening again.
"I'm still getting used to dating three guys. I like it. I like you. They're okay with it, and I'm willing to give it a try, if you are."
"And what if I don't want to share?"
The way he asked the question made me think he was simply curious, as opposed to objecting, but the thought of having to give up part of my pack for my safety made my breath catch.
"Then we'll work through that, too," I finally replied.
"They must truly love you, if they're valuing your safety so highly, that they'd give you up." He looked at me again, expression closed.
"Please don't make them."
He nodded. "I would not wish that, either. I suppose we shall have to see how it works out then."
"Really?"
Nikolai sighed. "Sofia, I want you safe. I can teach you, and I should. The entire situation is difficult to take in, not just with you, but with everything." He gestured out toward the valley. "I am sitting in a country I had never even heard of a few days ago."
"I'm sorry."
"I am grateful to be out of the dimensional prison. Trust me."
"I do."
His eyes widened, and he looked about ready to bolt again before he nodded. "We shall have to trust each other."
"So, is that a yes?"
He nodded. "I have several spells I must show you. Like when we shared languages," he said, changing the subject.
"Okay."
"Do you have a safe place for us to work magic?"
"Yes." I stood and tugged on his hand until he was also on his feet, and then took him to my grove.
"This is quite impressive," he admitted once I had sealed us inside.
"I did it when Doc helped me access my magic on purpose the first time."
He touched the pines lightly, walking around the circle. I shivered. It was as if he touched me.
"You did well. See, you don't need me." He turned to face me.
"I think I do. Maybe if the Andersons weren't trying to capture me, but they are." I stepped forward and put my hands on his chest.
He set his hands over mine and sighed. "You're quite certain?"
"As certain as I can be."
"And the others are quite certain?"
I smiled. "Same answer. How about you?"
He cupped my face with one of his calloused hands and brushed his thumb across my temple. "I suppose we shall see what we can accomplish then."
Nikolai pulled at me with his magic.
I gasped as my body reacted as it had earlier, the desire so strong, it made me ache, and would have had me reaching for him…if we weren't now standing in the same ornate room as when we first met.
Chapter 14
Nikolai
Nikolai watched as Sofia looked around the room in wonder. Though she was far from naïve, there was an innocence about her that appealed to Nikolai. Maybe it was simply that she hadn't grown up fighting for her life like most everyone he had known up to this point had. Maybe it was just her. He was still trying to resist his attraction, though he wasn't sure why anymore. Perhaps he felt it was too fast. Maybe he simply hadn't recovered from Roza's betrayal. He had never been good at self-reflection. Though, he'd also never had much time for the luxury. Life was a nearly constant battle, fighting off the Tartars or battling the very elements as the Russian winters attempted to claim the lives battle had spared.
"You haven't gotten around to explaining this place," she said, switching back to English once she turned fully about and stood facing him again.
"We have only known each other a few days," Nikolai replied in the same language, though it mattered less here.
"True."
"It is, eh, a mental space for communicating with other mages. We may or may not speak same language. We may need to share spells. We are safe with your other men and the grove protecting us, so it is good spot for us to discuss magic."
"Other men?" That mischievous grin of hers was going to do him in.
"Eh, well." He held up his wrist and showed her the five pawprints on his arm. "As you said, you have claimed me."
Her expression fell. "Sorry."
Nikolai couldn't stand her feeling bad about it. He wasn't upset. Not really. He closed the distance between them and pulled her into a hug. "I am not angry."
"But you're not happy."
"I am happier than you think. I am simply not sure where I stand with anything or anyone. It makes me hesitant." That was probably the closest he could come to telling her how he felt when he still didn't understand his own feelings.
She leaned into his embrace, putting her arms around his back and holding him tightly. "We said it was okay."
He very suddenly wanted them back in their own minds, wanted to caress her in his hands, not just this mental projection.
Releasing her and stepping back, he cleared his throat. "So, the spells you need."
She focused on him intently. "Don't I need to know how to cast spells before you teach anything else to me?"
"You already know how." He shrugged. "You just need practice. Some focusing exercises. There is lots to learn, and these won't be hard for you. Simple spells. The first couple are probably some of the reasons mages got in trouble with the church." He grinned.
"Oh?"
"Yes, I never got the impression that the church liked independent women. Being in charge of your own body is very important. You have three boyfriends. I'm quite certain you don't want babies, too. There is a
