Lacey's Luhpynes [Beyond the Veil 1] (Siren Publishing Ménage and More) by Honor James

and for all time.”
    “Then why are you worried?” he asked, lifting the bottle to drink it down slowly. He closed his eyes as he lowered the bottle and rolled his head around on his neck. “I’m going to hit the shower before I contact the Regent.”
    “Go for it,” Zhubin told him. “Dinner will be ready in about an hour.”
    “I want to discuss with the two of you to find out who would want to be the father of our children, who wants that honor?” She blurted out quickly before she couldn’t get those words out of her mouth.
    “So Zhubin has discussed much with you,” Ansell said, shooting his friend a look. “Good, then you know how to make the choice too.” Moving suddenly, he stopped next to her and touched her cheek with a finger. “Listen to your instincts, Lacey, go with the choice that’s best for you.” That said, he pressed a kiss to her cheek.
    She was ready to scream. “I have no fucking idea what to do. I don’t know which way to turn, what to do or how to do it.” Rising, she moved to Zhubin and leaning against the door said, “I don’t know what to do. I really don’t. Help?”
    “We can’t make the decision for you,” he said softly. “Come, I’ll call the Regent and have him bring mother on. You and she can talk privately while I finish the vegetables and get the table ready. She will help you with the choice, Lacey. She had to make it herself, so she will guide you in the decision.”
    Lacey reached out and grabbed Ansell. “What do you want? This isn’t fair at all, knowing how much I want you, how much I need you in my life. It’s not fair choosing who will be the father of any children that we have. I don’t like it. At all. I want to know what the two of you think. Who wants to be the sperm donor even though you will both be father to any child that we have.”
    He looked down at her before looking to Zhubin. He didn’t speak for a long time before he looked at her once more. “You need to look at all the information before you and follow your heart. I don’t know what to tell you, Lacey. It’s been this way since things changed in our realm. I…” He paused and ran a hand through his hair. “That’s the best I can advise, little mate.”
    “I can’t make a decision without knowing just what it is that you guys want and need as well. We are all in this together. It’s not just me, it’s all three of us. This is such a massive choice, a huge decision. I never want for one of you to look back one day and be angry with me because you aren’t the biological father to our children. Please,” she begged.
    Ansell let out a low growl as he faced her fully. His large hands gripped her waist and lifted her, her ass hitting the counter a moment later. It put her almost eye to eye with him, definitely helped by the fact he leaned in. “My personal opinion is that you should choose Zhubin. I know nothing of my past, including my genetic background. He’s the better choice in every way. Now, I really need a shower before I call the Regent. So if you’ll excuse me.” He stepped away and left the kitchen.
    Lacey growled and marched right off after him. “Don’t you dare walk away from me,” she grumbled. Grabbing him, she turned him to face her. “Ansell.” She touched her fingers to his cheek. “Ansell, you mean so very much to me. You truly do. I love you every bit as much as I love Zhubin. I could give a good hairy hot damn who your genetic donors are, your family is who you make it and if you ask me, you have a damn good one.”
    “That I do, but you also wanted my take on it, Lacey. You have it, make of it what you will,” he told her softly. “I never wanted kids, ever. So maybe that’s what you need to hear to understand why I said what I did. I don’t mind others’ children but I have never once wanted any of my own. Zhubin doesn’t know that and I’d appreciate you never telling him.”
    “But.” Lacey hesitated and felt her heart hurting, it