THRONE OF SHADOWS

Chapter Twenty-Three

"They said that," Jackal asked, "Yep, I thought they were joking, but Rick said he was serious, and you could just tell Daryl was serious," I replied, and Jack laughed. "So they both want to be in a relationship with you simultaneously." I nodded

"Rick said it was my choice; there would be no hard feelings if I didn't want to be with both of them, but I don't know what to do," I sighed, pushing my back against the wall of my cell.

"So you came to me for advice" I nodded at him. "Sybil, this is even beyond me. This is your choice," he replied. "But I know I can't be with one without hurting the other, so do I go with both, or do I make that choice," I asked, and he shrugged.

"Talk to them; they'll understand," Jack suggested. "Are you sure about that, really" I replied, and Jackal shrugged. "You'll never know if you don't try."

"I know you're right, but I hate admitting that," I replied. "But you do admit it, now I'm gonna get your boys, and you're gonna figure this out," Jackal said. I nodded. "I'll be here," I replied as Jack left the cell.

Is this my happy ending? Can I love one without hurting the other? Is it even right? Would anyone understand? How long would it last? Would Daryl leave again? "You gonna stare at us or what," Daryl said, him and Rick standing at the cell's threshold.

"Sorry, just lost in thought," I replied; both men chuckled. "We get it," Rick chuckled, "Jackal said you wanted to talk to us." Daryl said, "Yeah, I did, and before you ask, I haven't made my decision." I replied, and Rick chuckled

"You've been back a few hours, and we sprung this on you; this isn't an easy decision; take your time," Rick said. He stepped into the cell and sat in a chair to my right while Daryl sat on the edge of the bed.

"Can this actually work, or are we just playing with fire here" I sputtered, causing Rick and Daryl to chuckle. "How should we know," Rick said, motioning between them. "We've never been in this situation before," he added. I nodded. "How can this even work," I asked, and both men looked at each other before shrugging.

"We won't know unless we try, but it's up to you; you make all the calls," Rick said, and Daryl nodded at his statement. "You are the center of this; Rick and I have set our lines if this was to happen and fixed some things too," Daryl muttered, and I looked at him confused.

Daryl stuck out his hand to me, and I took it; he pulled me up and held my hand as we left the cell. I felt Rick's hand on my lower back guiding me; he smiled when I looked at him.

Daryl led us up the stairs, passed the library, and pushed open a door into a small room; Daryl and Ricks's things were strung out throughout the room while mine was packed neatly in the corner.

"You guys moved," I said, and Daryl nodded; dropping my hand, I found that bed in a cabin nearby about a week ago and told Rick if this would work, we needed a bed big enough for the three of us," Daryl said red tinting his cheeks as he looked down.

"We've stayed here since we got the bed, had to get used to sleeping next to each other; it was weird for a day or two, but it feels second nature to us now," Rick said, and I nodded. "You really think this will work," I asked, and Rick looked down.

"I don't know, but if forever is just tomorrow, I wanna face it with you by my side, and I'm sure Daryl feels the same," Rick said, grabbing my hand. "So what do you say, wanna try." He asked, smiling at me.

I looked over to Daryl and held out my hand; he grabbed it, immediately stepping closer to me. I smiled up at him and looked back to Rick. "I'd rather lose you than have never held your hand," I spoke, and Rick smiled.