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Chapter 91
~Spring’s POV~
The house was quiet when I stepped inside, save for the low murmur of voices from the study. I recognized them imdiately—Rhys, Eryx, and Kaius. My brothers.
I had barely shut the door when I heard Rhys say, "She needs to leave the house for a while."
I froze in the hallway.
"Agreed," Eryx said, firm and calm. "It’s not safe with Rose around. She’s beco bolder. Spring hasn’t said anything, but the way she walks around—on edge—it’s obvious."
Kaius scoffed. "So what? We exile Rose and put guards on Spring’s door? Mum would literally wage a war."
"No," Rhys replied. "Not yet. But we can move Spring out to let her breathe."
There was a beat of silence.
"Where?" Kaius asked.
"My place," Rhys said. "At least for the first month. She already knows the space. It’s quiet and secure. I’ll have a personal driver take her to school and bring her back whenever I can’t."
"I’ll take her the second month," Eryx added. "We’ll rotate."
Kaius exhaled. "Fine. Who’s third?"
"You," they both said at once.
There was a pause. Then Kaius chuckled. "Why do I get to be the grand finale?"
Rhys snorted. "You’re the least close to her. Don’t take it personally."
Kaius folded his arms. "That’ll change. She and I just need ti, and then Spring will be way closer to than any of you."
That was my cue.
I stepped into the room, letting the door close gently behind . All three turned to look at , a little guilty, a little caught.
"You do know I can hear you from the hallway, right?" I asked lightly.
Eryx cleared his throat. "We were just—"
"I know," I cut in gently. "And you don’t have to. I’ve been thinking... I want to move into the school dorms. At least for the rest of the term."
They all stood up at once, like synchronized warriors.
"No."
"Absolutely not."
"Spring—are you serious?"
I held up my hands. "Just to finish the sester. I’ll have more ti to focus. Less drama. And I think I need to... learn who I am, without all of this chaos."
Kaius stepped forward, eyes narrowed as he held my arm gently. "That dorm isn’t safer than here."
"Then I’ll go next sester," I said quickly, sensing the protest in Rhys’s jaw and Eryx’s tensed shoulders. "For now... I’ll stay. But just let decide later. Please."
They didn’t look happy. But after a beat, Rhys sighed. "Fine," he said. "Next sester."
Eryx crossed his arms. "We still want our ti with you. The rotation stands."
I smiled. "I’d be offended if it didn’t."
There was a pause, then Eryx tilted his head. "So. Your date."
I blinked. "What about it?"
"Who brought you ho?"
I bit my lip. "That’s... a long story."
"We’ve got ti," Kaius said, dropping into the armchair like he was preparing for a movie.
"Are you sure?" I questioned back. "I an, don’t you have so, um, eting to be in?. And Rhys, a patient, and Eryx, no coding work to get to?"
They all exchanged glances and then, in unison, echoed, ’No’.
"No?"
"Yeah. Now, the earlier you start, the quicker it will be to get over this with us, Eyx pointed out.
I exhaled and sat across from them, curling one leg under the other. "Okay, so... it kind of turned into a whole scene. They all wanted to bring ho. And it almost beca a battle."
Eryx raised an eyebrow. "They fought?"
"They argued. Jace offered first. Storm refused to let him. Kael offered, too, but Tyrion said sothing like, ’You’ve had your turn, I’m taking her.’"
"And?" Rhys asked, a little too calmly.
I scratched my head. "I picked Tyrion. Told him to drop off at the store so I could walk and think for a bit."
"You walked?" Kaius repeated, frowning.
I nodded. "Tried to. But Tyrion refused. Said it wasn’t safe. That he didn’t want to get on your bad side."
That drew a smile from Eryx, but it faded quickly. "Are you okay with all this? The attention?"
I shrugged. "It’s... a lot. But they were sweet. Gentle. It didn’t feel like pressure. Just... new."
Silence settled around us until Eryx stood and walked toward .
He pulled into a hug. Not a light one either—one of those tight, bone-warming ones that said a thousand things he didn’t know how to say.
"I missed you so much," he murmured into my hair. "And I can’t wait to have you all to myself."
I laughed softly. "That sounds a little possessive, Eryx."
He pulled back and looked at . I stared into his eyes, too warm. "You’re my little sister. I get a pass."
Rhys rolled his eyes, and Kaius muttered, "We’re going to have to start scheduling ti slots, aren’t we?"
I grinned, letting the warmth of the mont settle deep in my chest.
Kaius stood next, casually tossing an apple from the side table before plopping down beside where I sat.
"I’m serious, though. I don’t like the idea of you walking alone, day or night. Tyrion made a smart move refusing."
"You think that’s smart?" Rhys scoffed. "If I were there, none of them would’ve brought her back. She would’ve ridden with ."
"She’s not a trophy to be passed around," Eryx said with a mock glare, then turned to . "But if they ever make you feel like one, just say the word. I’ll code them off the grid."
I snorted. "You guys sound like an over-ard royal guard."
"You’re not wrong," Kaius replied. "You are our princess. And those guys? They’re lucky we haven’t started a full background investigation."
My heart skipped a beat when I heard that. There’s no way my mates and I would want that.
"Oh my God," I groaned, pretending to play along and mask my fear. "You probably already have."
Rhys didn’t deny it. "They’re strong, I’ll give them that. But I’m still stronger when it cos to protecting you."
Kaius leaned in, lips twitching into a grin. "Just rember who changed your diapers."
"And who covered for you when you snuck out of ballet class to get smoothies?" Eryx added.
I shook my head, cheeks burning. "You all are insane."
"Maybe," Rhys said, "but we’re yours."
And for once, I didn’t mind being claid if it ant keeping their noses from my mates.
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