by Olivia Myers
She couldn’t choose. She wouldn’t.
Finally, Khan-Min approached her in her cell one evening. “Kimi, the leader of the clan has asked for your decision. We need you to choose.”
Her eyes filled with tears and she tried to blink them away. “Khan-Min, I—”
“I know you don’t want to choose,” he said. “I’ll understand if you choose Lee 5. The idea of him being tossed aside while we go off on our own physically pains me. The thought of living without you is even more painful. I’m sorry for putting you in this position.”
She clutched at his arm. “When do I need to decide?”
“You’ll meet with our leader tomorrow night. You’ll name your decision then, and whichever of us you choose will be joined to you in a ceremony. You and your choice will live together from then on.”
His voice was hopeful, but sad. Kimi couldn’t stand the look of pain in his eyes. Standing on her tiptoes, she placed a soft kiss on his lips. “I don’t want to live without you,” she said.
Someone knocked on her cell door. “It’s Lee 5,” she whispered.
He entered stiffly as soon as she opened the door. As soon as he took in their miserable faces, he asked, “What’s wrong? Tell me.”
Khan-Min explained the situation. Lee 5 sat down and put his head in his hands. “I can step aside,” he said. “I’ll make it easier for you, Kimi, and you, Khan-Min.”
“No,” Kimi said, wanting to shout but keeping her voice as level and calm as she could. “I’m not going to let you step aside like none of this was important. Our few weeks together have been the very best of my whole entire life.”
Lee 5 stood and stroked her cheek. “I love you, Kimi. I love Khan-Min, too. I love sharing you with him. And I’m not going to let you two worry about your future. Goodbye.”
“No!” Kimi shouted.
But Lee 5 was already out the door, pumping his strong metal legs to get away from her as quickly as possible.
Khan-Min enveloped her in his warm embrace, kissing her hair while she sobbed. “He can’t go away like this,” she said. “He can’t just leave us.”
“I know, I know.” Khan-Min’s voice broke.
She turned and comforted him, just as he was comforting her. She stroked his smooth hair back from his face, and rubbed a soothing hand against his shoulder. They held each other tightly, as if they would never let go.
“Do you want me to chase after him?” Khan-Min asked.
“No,” she said, her voice fierce. “He’ll come back for me. He always does.”
***
The night had come. Kimi stood next to Khan-Min, and they both faced the newest leader of the Mongarians. Amir-Rana was a large-boned woman who stood taller than anyone else in the ceremonial amphitheater in the middle of the forest. She wore heavy chains of silver and gold on her neck, and her toga was embroidered with symbols of power.
“Your choice?” she asked, her voice melodic, yet harsh.
Kimi couldn’t speak at first. Lee 5 wasn’t here. She’d waited for him all day, haunting the cavernous hallway outside his cell, walking through the forest to search for him. Where was he? Why wasn’t he coming for her?
Finally she had to accept the truth—he wasn’t going to be here at all. He was so afraid of being rejected, he wouldn’t even try.
Well, forget that, she thought. Summoning all the bravery she could from Khan-Min’s strong grip on her hand, she looked Amir-Rana in the eye.
“My choice,” Kimi said, “is to be with both men.”
Amir-Rana leaned back in shock, and the Mongarians huddled around the amphitheater muttered and hissed to each other.
“This is unheard of,” Amir-Rana said.
“I’ve done so much for you,” Kimi explained. “With Khan-Min’s help, I’ve solved the ailment plaguing your people. I’ve saved lives. All I want in return is happiness.”
“Happiness with two men?” Amir-Rana asked. “Your heart, forever divided?”
“No,” Kimi said. “We’re all in love. Together we form a cycle of love and belonging. I can’t imagine living without either one of these men.”
“I’ve a mind to tell you that you’re being greedy, and you shall have neither one,” Amir-Rana said. Her bright blue eyes seemed to spear Kimi in place. “No other women take multiple men into their homes.”
Kimi looked at her helplessly. “I’m not choosing two men,” she said. “I’m choosing love.”
Amir-Rana nodded thoughtfully. “These are two beautiful men. I would have a hard time deciding. It’s love, you say?”
Kimi nodded. Next to her, Khan-Min spoke up. “The three of us love and respect each other. We would have a joyful household.”
“So joyful that one of you couldn’t even be here for tonight’s decision?” Amir-Rana asked skeptically. “That doesn’t sound like joy. That doesn’t sound like love.”
A voice spoke loudly from beyond the amphitheater. “I am here!”
“Lee 5!” Kimi and Khan-Min shouted together. Lee 5 leaped over the stone seats, bounding between surprised Mongarians. He ran until he stood next to Kimi and Khan-Min, and the three of them linked hands.
Amir-Rana laughed, and the chains around her neck shook and jingled with her laughter. “Very well, you three. Go, be joined in the ceremony tomorrow morning. And may your home be filled with joy.”
“It will,” Kimi said, hugging Khan-Min and Lee 5 together. “So much joy. So much love.”
THE END
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Olivia Myers is an author of paranormal romance, science fiction romance, and historical romance. Living in San Diego, CA, she loves sitting by the water and writing on her laptop. When not writing, Olivia loves attending local art shows and exploring the California coast one restaurant at a time.
Olivia is always hard at work on her next book.
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Thank You
I hope you have enjoyed this book. As a new author in the big world of publishing, it’s hard to get noticed. I’d love if you would leave me an honest review.
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–Olivia Myers