"I said no. This is my farm. If I chose to not wear a shirt, it's my prerogative. Whatever effect I am having on Amy and Jasmine, well, how is that any of your concern? If they had an issue with me, they would tell me. Is there anything else on your mind, Amber?" He looked at Amy and Jasmine, they were looking anywhere but at him.

Amber said nothing. She glared at him.

“Seriously, Amber? What the fuck do you think is going on here? Huh?

You ride up here and haven't stopped glaring at me. This is MY fucking house. MY fucking farm. Honestly, if you have a problem, then GET THE FUCK OUT! You're acting like a fucking BITCH!" Daniel yelled the last word. He was furious. He had told Jasmine he would remain calm around Amber. But by the Gods, she was infuriating. She was worse than Amy ever was.

Amber looked ready to kill him. He stared back at her, hoping she would try. Amber sniffed and looked at Amy and Jasmine. "I've seen enough. Let's go. I won't stay a moment longer with this man." She moved toward the bedroom and stopped when Amy and Jasmine didn't follow her. "Well?"

Amy and Jasmine looked at Daniel and then at Amber. Slowly they moved over to stand beside Daniel. They stood on either side of him and held him about the waist.

Amber was shocked. "You would leave me? Break our circle? For this man? A poor farmer with nothing to offer either of you? Are you insane?"

Amy squeezed Daniel a little tighter. "No. We are quite sane. Daniel is not just a poor farmer, Amber. He comes from a family of apothecarists. They were killed, and he came here to start a new life. There is nothing we need from him, though. We have never asked for anything. He just gives."

“Compared to the power we can have? You would throw that away?"

“He's more powerful than the three of us. Trust me. I can't share his secret, but our circle is nothing compared to him."

"Powerful? He's nothing."

Jasmine spoke up. "No, you are wrong in this Amber. Trust us. We would trust you. Why will you not trust us? We thought you loved us?"

Amber looked troubled. “I do love you. That's why I don't understand why you would abandon me for me."

Jasmine made a hurt noise. “We aren't abandoning you, Amber. We invited you to join us. We brought you here at Daniel's invitation.

It's you who are declaring ultimatums. Making us decide between him and you. All because you hate men. He's not like the others. Look at me, Amber. You know my history. Do you think I would join with Daniel unless he was different?" Her speech hitched with emotion.

“He's the best thing that has ever happened to me, Amber. Better than you. I lo..." She gulped. "I love him." Jasmine buried her face in Daniel's side and started to cry.

Daniel looked shocked. He stroked her head. "Shh, Jasmine. Don't cry.

You've nothing to be ashamed of. I love you, too.”

Jasmine looked up and saw the love in his eyes and laughed and stretched up to kiss him. Their lips met, and they kissed. Amy made a noise and Daniel broke his kiss and looked at her. Her chin was trembling, and she looked afraid. He smiled at her.

"I love you, too, Amy."

Amy's face lit up, and she attacked his mouth with hers. Jasmine laughed, and soon they were facing each other and kissing. It was awkward, but it was genuine.

Amber vibrated in the doorway to the bedroom. When they finally looked over to her, she was ready to explode. She opened her mouth to say something when a voice from the doorway interrupted her.

“By the Gods, that was so sappy. Gah. Too much.”

They looked over in surprise to see Grace standing inside the front door with her hip cocked and a smirk on her face.