“Maybe an ill wind,” Kel joked. “Emanating from his diaper.”
Rath sent Kel the look that deserved before saying, “No. Varraen are born with elemental magic, and we do show signs of it from birth, but nothing so dramatic. The magic doesn't fully emerge until we've developed motor skills and have learned to walk.”
“So your parents had to deal with you suddenly walkingandusing magic?” Kel asked. “That's rough.”
Rath shrugged. “It's not a sudden thing with the magic. It grows slowly. Parents teach their children until the magic is at such a level that they benefit from the instruction of mages. Then we are sent to school and those who are especially gifted are sorted from the rest.”
“Were you exceptional?” I asked with a grin.
“No.”
I blinked, unprepared for that answer.
Rath went on, his expression softening, “First, the Goddess made me special, and then you made me exceptional, Ember.”
My heart melted, and I leaned over to kiss Rath without thinking. As I sank into our bond and love with him, the sound of heavy footfalls passed by us. I ignored it, enjoying the kiss until we were finished with it. But when I pulled back, I saw who had stormed by. The only one at the buffet was Jathalion.
Seeing Jathalion, I sighed and turned back to my food. My men glanced over, saw who had bothered me, and shared dark looks. It had been long enough for Jathalion to move on. He hadn't wanted anything permanent with me anyway. And he had gotten what he was after. There was no reason for him to be so . . . pouty. It was as if Jathalion was determined to find reasons to hate me. Maybe he needed them to justify himself.
I wasn't going to waste time worrying or wondering about it any further. Even if he hadn't moved on, I had. I didn't have to allow his negativity to affect me. I'd been hoping the fight with Taroc would get Jathalion to back off, especially after Rontor threatened him, but Jathalion was just as awful as he'd been before. Maybe more so. The only difference was he was less vocal about it, shooting his hostility at me through looks alone.
Jathalion gave me one of those venomous looks as he passed by again, on his way to a table.
Xae started to growl.
“Leave it,” I said. “I don't give a shit anymore.”
“He needs to respect you,” Xaedren said.
“Nah.” I shrugged. “I don't respect him.”
That got my men to chuckle.
“Fine,” Xae said. “But if he ever says another foul word to you, I'm breaking his wings and tossing him over the wall.”
“Aw, sweetheart,” I drawled. “You're so romantic.”
Xae snorted as Keltyr chortled, and I knew this was the best way to handle Jathalion. Live my life to the fullest and let him drown in his hate. I wouldn't let him pull me down with him.
Chapter Forty-Two
“Come here,” Xae said.
My clothes were suddenly gone, and I was bent over a table. “Hold on. I'm not ready.”
Xae grunted and pulled my ass cheeks apart.
“Don't worry, Ember. We'll make sure you're ready,” Keltyr said as oil poured over my hole.
I clenched, the slick substance dripping down my sacs. “Kel?”
“You should let me go first,” Kel said. “I'll open him up.”
Xae grunted again and his hands fell away.
I looked over my shoulder to see Xae standing to the right, Rath to the left, and Keltyr behind me.
Kel grinned as he slid inside me. “How's that feel? You all right?”
