“Good,” Killian said and grimaced. “But as someone who has felt the Call of Danu, I can't let you leave. Fuck.” He let out a huff. “I wouldn't have been able to deny it. You're stronger than I've given you credit for.”
My thoughts churned for a minute, spinning through all the moments I had found myself staring at Star, feeling more than I should have. The jealousy. The way I admired his eyes, forfuck's sake. It was almost a relief to know it had something to do with Anu.
Sever scowled at Kill, then at Star. “I have experienced Anu's meddling. In many ways. I had to accept that Seren and I . . .” He trailed off as he looked at me. “I don't even want to say it. It feels like a betrayal of our love. A lessening.”
“It's not,” I said firmly. “Anu didn't force you and me to fall in love. He put us in place like pieces on a chessboard. We did the rest.”
“But that's not entirely true, is it?” Sever asked with a wave at Star. “This is more than putting him in place. Anu put you two together, and you didn't get the hint. Now, he's turning up the heat.”
“In so many ways,” Star muttered.
“That's how the Call of Danu works too,” Killian said. “If you ignore it, it gets worse. Or so I'm told.”
“I tried to stay away from Raza,” I said. “That didn't work.”
“Babe, you're not making a good argument for us helping Star,” Kill said.
“Aren't I?” I looked from Kill to Sever. “I didn't know what was happening at the time. And I didn't have anyone helping me deny it. My father practically shoved me into Raza's arms.”
“What? Weren't you dating Tiernan at the time?” Killian asked.
“Fairies, babe,” I said. “They see things differently. Queens can take consorts, remember? Our relationship isn't all that unusual in Fairy.”
“Huh. I suddenly see Dad differently.”
“Imagine how I felt when my newfound father told me to lighten up and have sex with a guy who wasn't my boyfriend.”
“Rude.” Kill shook his head.
Extinguisher Teagan cleared his throat.
“Can you give us a moment here, buddy?” Killian growled. “Go over there and bag something.” He waved at the crowd of extinguishers and hunters in the hallway. “All of you! Vamoose!”
“You heard him,” Teagan said. “Let's get this place cleared so we can move out!”
I tuned out the rest of what he said, focusing back on my husbands and the King of Hell. “Star is going to need help to get through this, not scorn and anger.”
“You mean the opposite of how we've been treating him?” Killian asked.
“Yeah, pretty much,” Star drawled.
“Maybe we should try aversion therapy?” I suggested.
“Isn't that where you make something you want unappealing?” Killian asked.
“Yup.”
“Not possible, I'm afraid,” Star said.
“Oh, Seren can be unappealing,” Kill drawled.
I elbowed him in the stomach.
“Exhibit A,” he groaned.
Star snorted. “Any other ideas? I'd rather not get elbowed in the stomach. Or lower.”
“I'm sure we can come up with something,” Sever said. “For now, we monitor you and help you ride out the urges.”
