“He's dating Jade.”
“That doesn't mean his feelings for you just evaporated.”
“I can't believe we're having this argument,” I grumbled. “You're making me sound like a Jezebel.”
“Jezebel?” He chortled.
“I thought it appropriate for the company.” I winked at him.
“Regardless, you're hardly a Jezebel.”
“I feel a little offended by that,” I said stiffly.
“Don't get me wrong.” Kyrian nuzzled my neck and nipped my ear. “You could seduce me with a look but you don't go around seducing every man you meet. At least not on purpose.”
“I don't seduce every man I meet—purposefully or otherwise,” I huffed. “I wouldn't even know how.”
“Which is it, Mara? Are you a temptress or not?” Kyrian trailed his fingers across my cheek.
“Not,” I said firmly. “I just didn't like the way you said I washardlya Jezebel. That implies that I'm the absolute opposite and I'm not a prude.”
“You and your words.” He shook his head. “You know exactly what I'm saying. And I'd even go as far as to say that you know exactly what effect you have on Davorin and Falcan. You may not have tried to inspire their affections, but you're no fool, sweetheart.”
“Fine,” I grumbled. “I know they like me but they don't love me. To love someone, you need to know them better than they know me.”
“No, Mara, you don't,” Kyrian protested, his eyes going soft. “Love can happen in an instant—such as the moment a man looks into a pair of amethyst eyes. It may grow stronger or fade away but that doesn't lessen what it is.”
“I surrender. You win.” I held up my hands.
“I accept your surrender!” He declared joyfully, then spun about, went to the fridge, and opened the door. “But before I take you like a true conqueror, I will cook you breakfast. You're probably starving and I want you fueled up for our activities.”
“As long as I have coffee, I'm good.” I took another sip. “But Kyrian, I can't stay for long. I'm so sorry.”
“What do you mean?” Kyrian straightened and shut the fridge without taking anything out. “Today's our day.Myday.” His voice dropped into a whine, “You just surrendered.”
“I know, and I'll make it up to you, I promise, but Danu is in danger.”
“Again?” he grumbled. “What is it now? And, more importantly, will it affect Earth?”
“I don't know if it will affect Earth.” I frowned. I hadn't thought about that. “Do you remember when I told you about the magic going wonky at that forge?”
“Sure.” Kyrian took the seat beside mine.
“Well, it went wonky on a much larger scale yesterday.” I grimaced. “There were earthquakes and then an avalanche in the Northern Kingdom.”
“Is everyone okay?”
“I think so. I managed to stop a second avalanche that might have taken out their castle.”
“You stopped an avalanche?” Kyrian gaped at me. “How?”
“Danu has an aura.” I shrugged, imitating him. “I saw the imbalance in it and calmed it.”
“Danu has an aura,” he repeated, then nodded. “That makes sense, actually.”
“After the avalanche, we went to investigate. I won't go into all the details but we found the magical foundation of Danu and it was tainted with sickness.”
“Danu is sick?” Kyrian whispered as he fell back against his chair. “What does that mean, Amara?”
