Malice mulls over her theory, changing the mitt position again.
“Faster,” he orders her.
Reyna only shoots him a glare before furrowing her brow and continuing to punch, “You and Aerin have had sex. Emrys andAerin have had sex. So, you’re in the subgroup that it’s safe for Emrys to express sexual feelings towards.”
“Your brain isn’t going to get you out of a fight, Human,” Malice growls. As if to prove his point she stumbles. Unable to correct herself this time, Reyna falls right on her ass.
She huffs, looking up at him with narrowed eyes. “All I’m saying is with these bonds it would be natural if you are feeling that way too.” She takes off the gloves and chucks them away from her.
“Enough psychoanalysis of my sex life,” Malice orders, helping her to her feet.
“The dynamics at play are really quite interesting—” Reyna is cut off by the sound of three boisterous Fae males stumbling through the door, laughing as they do. Falling silent when they see Aerin, the males still. Malice grabs Reyna’s arm and hauls her to the rest of the group where they are getting to their feet. Aerin stands tall at the front.
Bruin, Kallan, and Bryer stare, mouths open, at the group. Malice deposits Reyna next to Khortland and takes a position behind Aerin, who’s already flanked by a grinning Theo and a stiff Emrys.
“Bruin,” Aerin acknowledges her brother. Bruin’s eyes widen in shock at Aerin’s cordial tone. The twins shift warily, carefully eyeing them.
“Aerin, hey. Hi.” The Prince trips over his words. “How was Zeneith?”
Khortland and Emrys tense.
“It was great, exactly what I needed,” Aerin offers, no anger in her voice. Bruin glances at the others, eyes assessing.
“Theoden, nice to see you again.”
“I’m sure,” Theo remarks, all traces of the warm jokester gone.
Bruin’s stare is blank as he takes in the Mer. Seeming to shake himself out of it, he looks to Aerin again, his face opening into hopeful warmth.
“We’re having a cookout, this weekend, outside the Royal Village. You should come,” Bruin offers. “Bring whoever you like.” The twins share an uneasy glance.
Malice expects Aerin to shut Bruin down, to snap some snarky comment meant to burrow under his skin and hurt him for days. Bruin looks just as shocked as Malice feels when the Princess says, “Send me the details. I’ll think about it,” before moving to the exit. Everyone follows, Malice ensures he is last to leave.
Just before he is through the door, Bruin catches him by the arm. “You’re keeping her safe?” The Prince whispers, something akin to worry in his golden eyes.
“As safe as I can.” Malice tells him the truth.
“Things are getting worse, in the West. Of course, my father won’t do anything about it, but I’m starting to worry.” The words are rushed, and Malice gets the distinct feeling he’s being told something he isn’t supposed to know.
“She’s safe with me,” Malice reassures the Fae. Bruin’s golden eyes search Malice for a beat before he lets his arm go. He straightens, the untroubled Prince returning as Malice pushes out the door.
64
AERIN
Aerin collapses into her chair at the dining table after arriving back from the gym. Reyna drops down next to her, laying her head on the table, still breathing heavily from the jog home.
“I might never recover,” she complains, rocking her forehead back and forth against the wood.
Theo snickers into the fridge, examining its contents before he begins pulling things out. Aerin thanks her past self for purchasing groceries, otherwise they wouldn’t have the ingredients he’s dumping out of his arms onto the countertop.
Khortland kisses Reyna on the head as he walks by, but she waves him off.
“Just wait until tomorrow,” Emrys comments, coming back from the bedroom where he and Malice vanished the minute they made it through the door. Aerin narrows in on his wet hair and fresh clothes.
Had Malice and Emrys justshoweredtogether? No. They must have taken turns. Right?
Reyna groans at the prospect of another grueling workout tomorrow.
