“I think you need this.” Bree offered Rowan a glass with an inch of Bourbon in it. She had picked a Barrell Strength by chance or choice, one hundred and twenty proof. Ignoring the burn, Rowan drank half in one gulp. “This could work,” the Ranger tapped her index finger on the paper. “Two two three. Good job, kiddo.”

  “Thanks,” Lizzie straightened her back with pride.

  “I need a moment alone,” Rowan blurted.

  “Yeah, go figure. Let’s give your dad some space, sweetheart. How would you like riding on my back around the town?”

  The girl puckered her lips, shifting her weight between her feet. “I don’t know…”

  “Please, Lizzie. I’ll give this schedule a good look,” Rowan said. “But first, I need to… sort some things up with your mom. It will help if we talk alone… It’s adult stuff.”

  “OK, Daddy,” Lizzie said, trying to convey: See how good a daughter I am? Hurry up to get over this adult stuff and get back to teaching me to ride a bicycle.

  They all exited, but Rowan stopped on the porch, taking the paper and glass. He waved at Lizzie as she rode on Bree’s shoulders. Why all those schemes? It made no sense. A normal talk would have solved everything. Involving Isla was… an overkill… Why?

  “Fuck, I’m stupid…” Rowan facepalmed.

  The hints had been there. Cora liked him from the start; that’s why she bitched all the time about Grace. And Grace and Isla had a thing together before he appeared in town. Grace jokes about staring at Isla’s boobs herself… casually caressing each other arms… Maybe realizing Rowan was also attracted to the blonde, Grace had—

  He gobbled the rest of the Bourbon. What a waste! This is meant to be sipped slowly… The drink enveloped him in a long Kentucky hug, and he made up his mind.

  “I have to speak to them face to face.”

  [Rowan to Bree]: Can you please take care of Lizzie for a few hours? I have to solve this.

  [Bree to Rowan]: I’ll take her home to play with my kids. Sam homeschools them, so taking a break is not a big deal.

  [Rowan to Bree]: I owe you one.

  Now he had some time, but better safe than sorry. Rowan had to solve everything before Grace would come back from the rehearsal.

  [Rowan to Isla]: Hi. Where are you?

  There was a short wait before she messaged him back.

  [Isla to Rowan]: Up to the College to check on some of those nerds that defected to us. They’re behind schedule on building me a Manatech police car.

  [Rowan to Isla]: Oh, so you’re nearby. Can you make a stop by the house? We have to talk.

  [Isla to Rowan]: Give me five minutes. I just yelled at the wrong laboratory. All nerds in lab coats look the same.

  He started to walk back and forth, his heart beating hard in his chest. Soon, the police car stopped before the house, and Isla entered moments later.

  “What’s up?”

  Rowan took her by the hand and pulled the woman onto the couch so they could look at each other. “I have feelings for you. It’s not only about sex. I mean, that’s wonderful, but—”

  “I feel the same,” Isla sighed.

  “I have a question. Was it Grace's idea to… err..?”

  “Yes… But it’s not like I didn’t want to.”

  “What if we make this official? If Grace agrees, of course.”

  “That’s what she said when she talked me into it,” Isla frowned. “I hope she meant it.”

  Rowan fondled her cheek. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining or anything, but is it true she did it because of Cora?”

  “How do you know?” Isla jerked her head back.

  “Lizzie figured it out,” Rowan forwarded Isla the paper.

  “HAHAHA!” Isla roared in an access of mad laughter. “Oh, this is so funny!” she heaved, slapping her right hand over her mouth and banging his left fist on the couch. It took her well over a minute to stop.

  “OK. I’m happy you’re happy, but can you explain it to me?” Rowan continued. “It makes no sense.”

  “It makes perfect sense,” Isla shrugged. “Cora has this crush… and asked for a piece of you,” Isla sketched a gesture like she intended to spank Rowan’s butt but stopped because the position didn’t allow it. “Grace told Cora it was up to her to convince you but didn’t really mean it. She just wanted to buy time. Then, she came up with the idea to get us three together, hoping the cat would give it up.”

  “Why have women to be so damn’ complicated…” Rowan sagged her shoulders.

  “Maybe it’s for the better,” Isla fondled his cheek. “I like being with you two. I feel… completed.”

  “Me too,” he returned the caresse. “I want you to answer me honestly: how would you feel about Cora if—"

  “You’re not serious!” Isla gasped. “You like her? Like… desire her?”

  “I have no idea, Isla. I consider her a friend. I find her mind strange and her human parts… cute. The cat parts are weird. I can imagine making love to her and that tail slapping my face… it’s awkward.”

  “If you can imagine her tail on your face while making love, trust me, you like her,” Isla laughed.

  “No… I mean, it’s not only that… It’s friendship with just a bit of attraction on top.”

  “And I’m what, attraction with a bit of friendship?”

  Rowan turned his eyes away. “Cora helped us a lot, and she’s all alone on an alien planet, all her folks dead. I think she hangs on me as a last straw or something…”

  “She could do some therapy, you know. My ex is really good at his job.”

  “I’ll bring it up. I’ll try to talk Cora out of this crush, but if she persists…” Rowan’s voice choked for a second, “I’d give it a chance…"

  Isla shrugged, turning her palms upward. “Fuck the cat, for what I care, but you deal with Grace on your own. I have to go. See you tonight?”

  “Nope. I need some time off. You two almost killed me. Literally.”

  “Good to know we’re not the only one worn out.” Patting his cheek and pecking his lips in a brief kiss, Isla rushed out, giving a short siren signal before taking off. Rowan waved through the window and went upstairs to take a shower.

  This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  Five minutes later, when he got back, Dmitri, with a deep frown on his forehead, put groceries on the table. “So? Is it official now?”

  “Gosh! You know?”

  “I could hear you loud and clear. Every. Single. Night.”

  “Sorry…”

  “Whatever… Please, use some silence spells or something.”

  “Absolutely. Excuse me, I’m on a tight deadline here,” Rowan exited the house, calling Cora.

  [Rowan to Cora]: Hi. Where are you?

  [Cora to Rowan]: Hi. At the power station, across the Technoforge. I’m testing my suit’s improvements.

  [Rowan to Cora]: Can I come talk to you? I can be there in a few minutes.

  [Cora to Rowan]: I’ll be outside.

  Exiting the house, he entered his new car and started the engine. The new power station was seven miles south of Elkins. He drove slowly, not because of the Bourbon—already processed by his Awakened body— but because he was trying to put his thoughts in order. Cora was already outside, in her suit, which was now shorter, about Rowan’s height, but looking somehow more intricate.

  “It’s pretty,” Rowan said.

  “Thanks. Can’t wait to test it. What do you want us to talk about?”

  “Your feelings for me,” Rowan said curtly, trying to be as neutral as possible.

  The suit was dismissed, and she hugged him. Cora’s cheek came to sit on his chest, her cat-like ears twitching. “You’ve finally noticed?”

  “No, sorry… I mean, I should have, but… It was Lizzie.”

  “She’s smart,” Cora nodded. “And a natural at ear scratching.”

  “Can’t we be just friends?”

  “Is that all I could be for you?”

  He patted her head. “I don’t know… Look, Cora… I care for you,” he said, searching for her eyes. “And because of that, I sincerely think you would be better with someone who’d love you wholeheartedly.”

  “And if I think you’re what it’s best for me?” she asked, her eyes sparkling with tears.

  “Then, I will try my best to learn to love you… I think you deserve it.”

  “I’m so happy!” she pressed herself tighter into him, purring.

  “There’s something important you should know before committing. It’s about Isla.”

  “Oh, I know about Isla!” Cora hissed, extracting herself from the hug and slashing her hand through the air, her nails turning into claws. “Grace tried to cheat her way out of our deal.”

  “This deal was what, exactly?”

  “Hm…” Cora frowned, resting her claws on her cheek. “I told her I love you and that in System worlds, polyamory is normal. “She said, OK, but it’s up to you to get Rowan’s heart, and if not, you’ll be just friends… I was surprised by how easily she accepted. I should have known she would cheat… I dunno why she hates me so much. I like her,” Cora whimpered, pulling her nose. “I like Isla too…”

  Rowan grabbed her shoulders. “I’ll ask you again. Are you sure I’m worth the effort?”

  “I’m sure, Rowan,” she fondled his cheek. “I’m not the average girl, and you’re not the average man. Can I… kiss you?” She pushed herself up on her toes, grabbed his neck, and they kissed. It felt normal enough. A pointy tongue timidly searched his, and her teeth were also sharper than usual, but it was pleasant and sweet for the rest. Her face flushed, and her tail wagged wildly. “I stole you a kiss when I flew with you in my arms, and you were sleeping,” she confessed. “Sorry.”

  What’s one more kiss stolen in the great scheme of things? “One more thing. You’ll let me talk to Grace… I hope she’ll accept it.”

  “What if not?” Cora blurted. “Please don’t send me to the friends’ parking lot!” she kneaded her hands, making puppy eyes.

  “Friend zone. If not, we give her time to know you better… and maybe you make some sacrifices, like using a human bathroom. Grace’s a good person, and I want her to be sure I’ll always love her before you join our… big, happy family,” he sighed.

  “I’ll wait as long as it takes.” Cora stepped back, summoned her suit, and took off. Rowan shook his head, feeling dazed, and returned to the car.

  The return took fifteen minutes, and he drove slower because his heart was heavy with worries. Back home, he took time to properly sip that good Bourbon before Grace returned an hour later.

  “Hi, honey,” Grace waved, entering the living room. ,

  Rowan rose to meet her. “I know about Isla and Cora,” he said directly.

  “I c-can e-explain…” Grace kneaded her hands. “I didn’t want to lie to you… it just happened…”

  The hurt and fear in her eyes hurt him, too, and he took her in his arms, kissing her hair. “Hey, relax! I love you… We just need to talk.”

  She started crying even harder, and he wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her inside. Dmitri was preparing some food. The Greek rolled his eyes and went away. They sat in the same position on the same couch he had shared with Isla.

  “I’m… so sorry… I just… didn’t know what else to do…” she sobbed, avoiding his eyes.

  “Really, Grace?” Rowan rolled his eyes. “What about talking, for goodness sake?”

  “Sometimes, talking is hard… All this took a toll on me, Rowan,” Grace looked at him with sadness. “The Apocalypse, the dangers, everything… it’s not something I like; I must do it to survive and raise my daughter. I even got a shitty secondary class I didn’t even ask for and had to hide it from you— Oh, NO!” she gasped, slapping her hand on her mouth.

  “What’s up?” he jerked.

  “Nooo….” Grace wailed, her face contorted in regret.

  “C’mon, you can tell me. What’s your secondary class?”

  “R-R-Rogue, OK?” she blurted after stuttering several times. “I wasn’t supposed to tell you,” she repeated.

  “Hm… so that’s why you were so good at throwing ninja stars? And why not tell me?” Rowan raised his brows, looking befuddled.

  “Because if you know about secondary classes before they unlock themselves, you risk getting something useless. Like Forklift Operator, or— Oh, my God! Tell me you didn’t unlock it because I mentioned it,” she interlocked her fingers.

  “Nope!” Rowan sulked, crossing her arms.

  “Then why are you making that face?” She let her head fall back.

  “Just so you know, using industrial equipment is not easy. It takes a lot of skill!”

  “Sorry, I didn’t want to sound snobbish…”

  “Yeah, well, you did, but anyway… Gosh! I just realized! We mustn’t tell Isla about the secondary classes!” Rowan yelped.

  “True,” Grace nodded. “Let’s help her get a good secondary class. Or at least better than mine.”

  “Being a Rogue isn’t so bad,” Rowan shrugged. “Invest in Stealth if you can. It’s cool. I wish my secondary class could Stealth…”

  “Did your secondary class unlock?” Grace asked.

  “Err… yeah… I did tell you, remember?”

  “No, you sure didn’t,” Grace sneered.

  That was quite an important omission. Feeling the situation was turning against him, and from having the upper hand, he was going downward fast, Rowan decided to put an end to the discussion. “Sorry, I thought I did… it’s the stuff adding elemental damage to my attacks… no big deal… So, let’s wrap it up. It was a crazy situation, and I don’t think I would have done better in your place. And I’m happy about having Isla in our lives. She kinda—”

  “Completes us, isn’t it?” Grace smiled.

  “Yeah… exactly. Are you OK with making it official? Polyamory is legal with the System.”

  Grace nodded, and they hugged each other. “You’re not mad with me anymore?”

  Rowan scoffed. “I wasn’t mad with you. More like annoyed. Why all the scheming about Cora? Why not tell her to back off, or—”

  “When she told me about her crush, I saw three futures…” Grace crossed her arms. “It was bad. Really, really bad.”

  “How bad?”

  “In the first vision,” Grace counted on her fingers, “Cora beat you, took you as her husband by force, exiled us, and ruled the County with an iron hand… or should I say paw?”

  “Good pun, but she has hands,” Rowan shrugged. “Claw would work.”

  “True,” Grace nodded. “Second, she committed suicide. The suit shot her… it was awful.”

  “Goodness,” Rowan gasped, putting a hand over his mouth. “And the third?”

  “She tried to suicide by keeping her head in the sink for half an hour. Only she didn’t know how to work the sink stopper. That’s it. The best solution was to stall and let problems disappear by themselves.”

  Rowan furrowed his brows. “You do realize in two out of three choices you saved her… Don’t you hate Cora?”

  “I don’t hate her, Rowan. It’s just she’s troublesome and hyperactive… I wish her to go on with her life and marry some nerd who likes anime girls. So… are you going to tell Cora to calm down, or should I?” Grace asked, her eyes glittering. Now that she had Rowan’s backup, she was obviously eager to stomp the Nekojin’s expectations in the crib.

  Rowan scratched his head. “Err… about that… Are you sure you—”

  “I knew it!” Grace erupted. “Men! You can’t say no to a stray cat with puppy eyes.”

  “She’s a young adult with more knowledge than common sense, stranded on another planet, all her family dead, and imprisoned in a ten-by-ten cell for two months. She hung on to life by hanging on me… and on us. She told me she likes you, by the way.”

  Grace rose from the couch and went to pour herself an inch of Cognac. “She better not. I find her extremely ugly. Hideous. You’re sure about this?”

  “I won’t do it if you say no… But I’d like to give her a chance at a normal life. It’s not like I love her like I love you… She’s a good friend, and I care for her… ”

  Grace shrugged and took a sip, staring into nothingness. She came on the couch, her head resting on his shoulder. Rowan felt her body relax. “Very well,” Grace sighed, emptying the glass. “If you pity her so much, you can romance the cat…”

  Rowan smiled, fondling her shoulder and touching her forehead with his. "At least she could help Lizzie with her homework. She’s good at math…”

  Grace patted his cheek, a gesture much like the one Isla had made earlier. “I’ll change and help Dmitri prepare lunch. C’mon, you old bastard, I know you’re eavesdropping.”

  “Mazeltov,” the Greek saluted. “This will be so fun to watch!”

  A few moments after Grace went up the stairs, a notification arrived.

  For daring to pursue your heart’s desires, declaring your love to Isla, doing the honorable thing toward Cora, and putting your foot in the door to make things straight in your relationship with Grace, I, The Warlord, award you 3 APs.

  The Warlord wishes you a happy love life, for love is a battle.