Sweetheart, Is today the day you run away alone in fear? Or the day you have the balls to trust in our friendship? Trust in the four of us. Together

His lips slowly twitched. “As a gentleman, I think you should sleep off the drugs in your system.” Again, his wide, full lips curved wickedly. “Unless you plan to move your hand lower, then I might forget I’m acting the gentleman because, really, I’m not all that gentlemanly.

My grin was feral, matching my savage best friend’s.

It’s the beauty that helps us return from the harshness. If it wasn’t there, we would have nothing to live for.

It’s nothing compared to happiness.”I snorted through gritted teeth. “What happiness?”“Exactly.”“Reality interrupts—” Jaw clenching, my nostrils flared as I felt a gush of blood flow.A whisper. “Life.” His blink was slow. “The mother of all bitches.”“And the beauty?”“Its absence is duly noted.”“Only to be found by those later.”Another swipe of my cheeks. “Once they’ve suffered to the point they scream for death.”“Full circle.”His hand found mine in a gentle hold. “Pain needs to be felt.

Jack’s face was now buried in his hands, his elbows still on his knees, and he hunched as he fisted his hair. “Ezra?” Evidence of his anguish to come was unmistakable in the catch of his voice.Ezra’s was solid. “Yes?”“Don’t let me kill myself.

You four are a whole other breed.

Welcome to Ruler’s purgatory. It’s the special club you love to hate.

At least, my boobs weren’t showing this time.

Too long spent denying each other, we no longer hid our want.

I want to fall asleep next to you every night even when you’re cranky. I want to wake up next to you every morning even when I’m grumpy. I love the fact that when you snore it sounds a little like your wolf. I love that your mind is just as scheming as mine. I love the tiny smile you show only me after we’ve made love. I love the compassion you show to your subjects when other Rulers wouldn’t, but at the same time your intelligence and determination when you know you can’t. I love how loyal you are to those you love. And when it’s time to have children, you’re the one I want to have them with.

If I wasn’t mated, and wasn’t straight, and you were a Mage, and we hadn’t made that pact for friendship’s sake, I would totally screw you.

There were days I could run far, far away, never to see any of these people again.

See anything interesting out there in the woods of King Hall?