Their Mating Illusion [Paranormal Protection Unit 2] (Siren Publishing Classic) by Honor James Page A

“I’d never want to lead. I’m not a Royal, wasn’t born to any line even close to them,” he said honestly. “To answer your question, if I had to”—he shrugged—“I suppose, but I’d not want to. It’s not who I am. I’m a techie plain and simple. I don’t like public speaking, never have, and having that kind of pressure on me, not exactly what I’d want either.” He shot a look to Allister and knew he’d just lost out. “He’d serve her better. Make it so she doesn’t hurt and make her wholly his. Especially after growing up with that for family, she deserves happiness and he’ll give it to her. Leave me out of this triangle, Gaia. I don’t care if I ever get a mate but I can’t and won’t do a triangle. I can’t.”
    “My poor Quincy,” Gaia spoke as she sat on the table beside Aiden. “Do you know that I’ve had a plan for you since you were born? Those nights that you felt pain and fear I came to you. I hated to have them happen to you but I had to allow it. You needed to know what it felt like to be the lowest of the low so that when I did gift you with your bond-mate you would understand that and you would be willing to stand at her side no matter the obstacles standing in your way.” She sighed and shook her head. “You have never been second best, Quincy. I have loved you just as I love all my children,” she told him simply and looked to the woman. “She has two paths in life.” There was a profound pause before the Goddess spoke again. “That I see should I cut you from her life.” She then looked to Skittles again. “Allister would make her happy but because of the power inside of her she would never be safe. She needs a Warlock mate, one that can accept the power that was given to her so that her brother never received it. If she doesn’t have one”—she shrugged—“others of her familial line will come for her. When Allister isn’t at her side because of being on assignment she will be killed. She will die and the power that’s inside of her forced into another.” Shrugging, she added, “The second path is worse.” She advised him, “I gave her two mates because she needed them. Not because you weren’t enough, Quincy, but because you were what she needed. She needs a Warlock mate who can rule. Someone who understands what it is to be the downtrodden. She will also need a Dragon mate to help you keep her safe because if she has but one mate, she will be left alone from time to time and she will die.”
    Standing, Gaia moved back to his side, leaning against the wall. “You wouldn’t be a third in the bonding. You would be her lifeline. From the time that you were born I knew that one day I had to gift you with greatness and that comes from her. It’s time to change the Royal Line of the Magic Users. I want that change, no I need that change to begin with you.”
    Sliding down the wall, he sat on the floor, his knees drawn up and his elbows braced on them holding his head. “I can’t,” he whispered. “I hear you, Gaia. I even understand your reasoning, but you bet on the wrong horse. I just cannot and will not be a third in anything or part of a tri-bond. I can’t.” He looked at her in anguish. “All you did to me as a child changed me. I’m not what you thought you molded. I’d rather see her with another Warlock and Allister than share her with anyone. I know I can’t protect her so find someone that can, but it’s not me. It will never be me if there is another to the bonding.”
    Wiping a hand down his face, he shoved up from the floor and stared at her. “You may mean well but in this you failed. This is not me. I’m all or nothing so break my tie to her. Strip me of ever having a mate. I don’t care. But I will not ever share my mate with another for any reason, ever.” He could hear the nails being driven into the coffin of his future but he wouldn’t flinch. He’d made up his mind at age ten what he wanted. Her prediction had only