Free Szereto, Mellanie - Two Pirates to Treasure [Bewitching Desires 4] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) by Mellanie Szereto

You have forgiven us?”
    “Only if you stop trying to be honorable. I’m not going to take you as mates for the reasons you gave. The joining is different from marriage.”
    Ethan rubbed his hands over his thighs. “Tell us how it differs. We wish for your happiness.”
    Perhaps they weren’t a hopeless cause after all. “Someone else will have to explain it. I need to go downstairs to the library for a lesson with Jolán in a few minutes. Amalric and Ranulf can take you on a tour of house and the grounds while they tell you about the meaning of being joined.”
    “We will see you at the noon meal?”
    If I don’t suffer another meltdown. Their quick smiles erased her doubt—at least for the moment. “Yes.”
    Grant’s eyes brightened to a lighter shade of walnut. “If you choose to ask us to join with you then, we will say yes, sweet Orshy. Have no doubt of it. We shall accompany you to the library.”
    Both men stood, coming to flank her on either side of the chair, each grasping a hand and helping her to her feet. She’d met them a single day ago, and already she didn’t know how she’d survive a day without them—or years with them. She needed to have a long talk with the mated women of the household. Maybe they could give her suggestions on keeping her men from driving her crazy and how to determine if they were her true mates. What if she was like the people oblivious to the existence of witches, warlocks, and magic? Would she have to fail at multiple relationships before she succeeded?
    Was I better off living in the cursed castle with no knowledge of womanhood?
    “Orshy?” Grant halted three steps from the door to the hallway, waiting to see if his ladylove was ready to continue to the library. She seemed distracted, like she might be mulling over whether or not to commit herself to Ethan and him. His heart skipped a beat at the thought that she could be considering asking them now to share their lives with her. Then his chest tightened. Or did she doubt their connection? He’d damn well find a way to convince her.
    She shook her head. “Come on. I don’t want to be late.”
    Letting her set the pace, he walked beside her from their quarters to a room on the first floor filled with shelf after shelf of books. Tall windows faced the grounds of the estate. A desk was partially covered in leather-bound tomes, and tea service sat upon a tray on a low table in front of a couch.
    Ethan released her other hand as they entered the high-ceilinged cavern. “Your family possesses a great store of knowledge. There must be thousands of volumes on these shelves. Captain Bellamy’s treasure pales in comparison.”
    A smile lit up her eyes. “Do you like books? I’m sure Kata would be pleased to help you find something suitable to read if you ask her. She’s in charge of the library.”
    “Before we joined the ranks of Black Sam’s crew, I rarely went about without a book in my hands.” Strolling along the nearest section of shelving, he ran his fingers over the spines. “Shakespeare. Galileo. DaVinci. Did someone travel through time to acquire them? They must be priceless, given that we’re in the twenty-first century.”
    “I don’t believe anyone got them by going back in time. We’re not supposed to use our abilities that way.” She stopped at the desk, seeming to stare out the window.
    After several long moments of silence, Grant considered asking her why she’d grown quiet. Was she finally going to propose that they become mated? He held his breath through the furrowing of her brows and nibbling of her lower lip. More than anything, he wanted to assure her she had nothing worry over.
    She let out a noisy exhale and turned to face him. “Why did you become pirates?”

Chapter 8

    Ethan pretended to study the titles on the nearest shelf in an effort to hide his panic at Orshy’s question. He had no wish to lie to her, but the truth of their choice to become pirates was founded entirely on