Breath of Desire by Ophelia Bell Page B

that much. Dimitri still loved her. Aurin seemed smitten with her, too. Aurik had worried for months about what he would leave behind. A hole for them to fill. But Thea could fill it. That day had told him as much. She was the perfect replacement. She commanded the energy even better than Dimitri, whether she knew it or not. She’d feed Aurin’s magic and Aurin could use that infusion to fulfill every wish of their mates.
    Our mates? Do you mean to mate her before you abandon her? No, Aurik didn’t, but Aurin should. And that meant divulging their secret first.
    It was always the first step after establishing a connection. He and his sister had been taught it this way, at least. Taught to learn the distinct difference between a potential source of energy for one night, and a long-term mate. The taste was very different. Thea was a perfect mate, as Dimitri had been. So she would be a perfect replacement for Aurik. Aurin could mark Thea without any backlash. But was Thea ready?
    The scowl on Thea’s face made him cringe inwardly when he went down to join them for dinner. Dimitri was being solicitous of her mood in that special way he had that calmed and distracted so expertly. Soon, Thea relaxed, buzzed from the wine, happy from Dimitri’s attention, and pointedly ignoring Aurik.
    The shift in attention away from him made it clear his decision was right. Thea fit that role so perfectly, the way Aurin and Dimitri’s steady banter seemed to hinge on Thea’s responses. They talked mostly about the Twins’ collection of ancient artifacts passed down from their parents.
    “Your family must have been collecting for generations to have such an impressive variety. I’ve always loved wondering what the stories were behind pieces like these,” Thea said as they wandered away from the dinner table. Aurin and Dimitri followed while Aurik stayed behind to clean up.
    A strange calm came over him while her words continued, pondering the history of each piece she admired. She was amazingly astute in her speculation about each piece, too, judging the age and circumstances around them to an impressive degree of accuracy. So impressive it even worried him a little that she’d suss out their secrets without even having to be told. That deep understanding would make it easier for her, and the idea calmed him further as he pondered what his life would be like afterward. It was as good a time as any to begin cutting ties. Perhaps he should go already, if he could convince Dimitri sooner was better, now that Thea had arrived. And Aurik’s leaving would mean he could leave Dimitri marked, which would be preferable to nullifying it and staying, shifting his mark to a stranger he didn’t love.
    Soon Aurik went back to them, feeling Dimitri’s pull with a glance filled with love and sadness. This was a tether Aurik would have to break. Perhaps he should nullify the mark, after all, even though the thought of it left a cold pit in his stomach.
    The fascination of the data Erika had sent them managed to distract him from the feelings. The tiny piece of technology containing all of Camille’s research fit perfectly into the USB slot of Dimitri’s laptop. Of the many things Aurik would miss once exiled to the Monastery, technology might be near the top of the list. Magic without the need for any effort expended on his part. He tried not to think of the other things he would miss. But perhaps he could find peace at the Monastery, too.
    Needing a bit of that peace sooner than that, he excused himself and headed toward the roof.
    “Where are you going, Brother?” Aurin’s lilting voice filled his head.
    “I need some time to think away from distractions.”
    “Please think about what you’re doing. There must be another way.”
    “I won’t give him up to take another mate. I’d rather have no one and know he is at least happy with you and her.”
    She didn’t say more, but he could sense her displeasure as though it were a prickly