I was tempted to stay with Jathalion, but I couldn't do that to Xae. It would embarrass him. So I stood up and said, “It was nice to meet you, Lord Jathalion.”
“You can call me Jath.”
I grinned. “Jath.”
“Great, I'm glad you two are getting along,” Xae drawled and came forward to claim my hand instead of waiting for me to take his. “We'll see you at dinner,Jath.” He paused then added, “It's good to have you back.”
Jath's eyes widened. “When did you learn manners?”
Xae grimaced. “Fuck you.”
“Now, there's the Ladrin I used to know.”
“Welcome home, Jath,” I said as I pulled Xae down the path. “See you later.”
“Indeed,” he said.
Xae cast a sharp look over his shoulder as we walked away.
Chapter Four
“So . . . Jathalion,” Xae said as we headed into the citadel's keep. “Jath.”
“What about him?”
“You like him.”
“He's very nice.”
“No.” Xae slid a narrowed-eyed look my way. “You're attracted to him.”
“He's good-looking. So are a lot of men around here.”
Xae grunted.
“Are you mad?”
“No.”
“You seem mad. I was the mad one, and I believe I was pretty clear when I said I wanted some time to cool down. But you came after me anyway and instead of making a fuss, I went with you. So why are you mad?”
“I'm not mad!”
Some Wraith Lords in the entrance hall looked over at us sharply. I waved and smiled—all good here—then dragged Xae to the stairs.
“What the fuck?” I hissed.
“I saw how you looked at him,” Xae muttered as he climbed the stairs.
“Are you fucking kidding me? You two have been pushing me, albeit gently, toward finding a third lover, but now that I show an interest in someone, you're pouting?”
“I don't pout.”
“No, of course, not.” I rolled my eyes. “Is it him? Do you not like Jath?”
“No. He's a good guy. I hadn't seen him in about twenty years, but he seemed the same. A little more somber, but the same.”
“He just lost an entire group of trainees.”
