The Triquetra Bond

Chapter 10

Ronan lingered in the corridor, leaning casually against the wall down the hall from Eimear’s door. His mind was a whirlwind of thoughts after the night’s revelations—Eimear’s transformation, the bond they now shared, and the magnetic pull he felt not just toward her but also toward the Fae prince who had become part of their unexpected trio.

His sharp eyes tracked Aidan as he walked quietly towards him. Aidan’s gaze met his, curious but unguarded, and Ronan straightened, running a hand through his dark hair.

“You waited,” Aidan said, his voice calm, though tinged with surprise.

“Figured we should talk,” Ronan replied, shrugging. “Tonight was... well, not what I expected. Not in a bad way, mind you. But it’s a lot to process.”

Aidan nodded, “Agreed. She’s remarkable, but the bond between the three of us—it’s unprecedented. I can’t help but wonder what it means, not just for us, but for the Fae and wolves as a whole.”

Ronan gestured down the hall. “Walk with me? Better to talk while moving than just standing here like a pair of statues.”

They fell into step, the Fae’s graceful movements contrasted sharply with Ronan’s grounded, wolfish presence. There was a tension between them that wasn’t hostile, but there was an undercurrent of uncertainty, a reflection of the unfamiliar dynamic they were navigating.

“Go on, then,” Aidan prompted, turning to face Ronan fully. “What’s on your mind?”

“I’m used to seeing the world in clear terms,” Ronan began, “Wolves have packs, and bonds are straightforward. I find my mate, and that’s that. Now? This bond we share with Eimear—it’s strong. Intense.” He paused, glancing at Aidan. “I feel it with you, too.”

Aidan’s expression remained calm, but his eyes betrayed his surprise. “You’re not alone in that,” he admitted after a moment. “I’ve felt it as well. The bond is… unexpected. Unconventional.”

Ronan let out a chuckle, the sound low and rough. “Unconventional is one way to put it.” He ran a hand through his dark hair, his fingers lingering at the nape of his neck. “But there’s something about this bond that feels right, even if it’s confusing as hell.”

They stopped at a small alcove with a wide window that overlooked the moonlit grounds. Ronan leaned on the stone ledge, staring out at the silvery expanse. “There’s another thing I wanted to talk about,” he said, his tone more serious now.

Aidan joined him, folding his arms across his chest. “Go on.”

“When the time comes when we take that next step with Eimear… we’re going to have to figure out how this works. All three of us. That means being honest about what we’re comfortable with.”

Aidan’s eyes flicked to Ronan, assessing. “You’re wondering how we’ll handle being intimate—together.”

Ronan nodded and turned to meet Aidan’s gaze, his eyes searching. “Then let’s be honest, Aidan. How do you feel about… this? About us?”

The Fae prince leaned back slightly, his eyes drifting to the moonlit sky as if seeking answers among the stars. “It’s strange,” he murmured, his voice thoughtful. “I’ve never felt this kind of connection with another man before. But it doesn’t unsettle me. If anything, it feels... natural. Right.”

Ronan let out a slow breath, relief softening his tense expression. “Same here. I don’t know if it’s the bond or something else, but I’m not about to fight it.” He paused, his words careful but firm. “If we’re going to share Eimear, we need to figure out if this... dynamic between us is something we can embrace.”

Aidan met his gaze steadily, his expression unreadable for a moment before softening. “The bond changes everything,” he said quietly. “It stirs emotions I don’t fully understand, things I’ve never considered before. But maybe the only way to understand it is to... explore it.”

Ronan’s lips quirked in a half-smile. “I was hoping you’d say that.”

The tension between them shifted, morphing into something electric and charged. Aidan’s eyes searched Ronan’s face, looking for any sign of hesitation, but the wolf’s expression was steady, open. Without breaking eye contact, Aidan leaned forward, closing the distance between them.

Their lips met in a tentative kiss, the contact sending a surprising jolt through both men. It was exploratory at first, cautious, as though neither wanted to push too far. But as the moments stretched, the kiss deepened, growing bolder. Aidan’s hand found its way to Ronan’s jaw, his fingers grazing the stubble there, while Ronan’s hand settled on Aidan’s waist.

When they finally broke apart, both men were breathing heavily, their eyes wide with realization.

“Well,” Ronan said after a beat, his voice rough but tinged with humour. “That answers that.”

Aidan’s smile widened, his cheeks faintly flushed. “It does, indeed. I didn’t expect to enjoy that as much as I did.”

Ronan smirked, his wolfish charm on full display. “Guess we’re full of surprises tonight.”

The two men stood in comfortable silence for a moment, the weight of their kiss settling between them. There was no awkwardness, only a sense of understanding that hadn’t been there before.

“This bond is going to take work,” Ronan said finally, his tone serious. “But I think we’ve got a good start.”

Aidan nodded, his expression softening. “We’re in this together, Ronan. For Eimear, and ourselves.”

Ronan clapped Aidan on the shoulder, his grip firm. “Then let’s make sure we don’t screw it up.”

The Fae prince laughed, the sound light and genuine. “A solid plan if ever I’ve heard one.”