“Refused?!” Thalsar nearly shrieked.
“That's right.” Tae's grin turned into a smirk. “He didn't want to be immortal or fae. I had to convince him to accept.”
“You seduced him into being your valorian?” Sanasenne asked, then appeared to remember Tae's chiding and looked at me to repeat the question, “He seduced you into becoming valorian?”
“I wouldn't call it a seduction,” I said. “It was more about us getting to know each other.”
“But you said you were lovers,” Thalsar said to Tae.
“We were. Weare. But that came after we spent some time together as friends.”
“How fascinating,” Sanasenne murmured, then studied me as if I were an oddity. “Why wouldn't you want to be immortal?”
“I'd rather not get into it. Let's just say that I believe mortality has its perks.”
“Perks?” She was horrified. “What could—”
“Sana!” Tae said sharply.
“What? I just don't see—”
“Remember that he was human,” Tae growled. “And that half my army is human as well. Do not insult them.”
Sanasenne sat back. “Well, you've changed.”
“It's been over twenty years. It happens,” Taeven said dryly.
“It's been over twenty years since you've been home?” I asked Tae in surprise.
“I've been busy.” Tae grinned at me.
“And you've forgotten all about your old friends it seems,” Thalsar drawled.
“Of course, I haven't,” Tae protested. “But Ihavechanged.”
“Well, we've missed you, old friend.” Thalsar set a hand on Tae's shoulder. “Let's go out tomorrow night—dinner and the usual.”
“No,” Tae said in a way that had me wondering what the usual was.
“Fine.” Thalsar rolled his eyes. “Dinner at your place. Would that make you feel safer?”
“Safer?” I asked. “What is it that you three used to do together?”
“Nothing,” Tae said with a pointed look at the General. “It was a long time ago.”
“Yes, I suppose it was,” Thalsar drawled as he stood.
Wow, well that was a short reunion.I blinked at the General's abruptness.
“We'll see you tomorrow night around seven, Falcon Lord,” Sanasenne declared in a tone that wouldn't be refused. Then she nodded at me. “Falcon Valorian.”
“Your Highness,” I replied warily. Something was off, and I had a feeling that I didn't want to know what it was.
“Princess.” Thalsar extended a hand to help Sanasenne up.
She took it but kissed Tae's cheek before she stood. The couple strode off, courtiers bowing to them respectfully.
“Wow.” I shook my head. “You must have some interesting stories about them. The Terrible Two?”
