“Don’t you dare,” Lisa warned.
Syndra materialized anyway, appearing beside the shelf of crystals like she’d been part of the décor all along.Her golden hair caught the morning light, and she folded her hands with mock innocence.“Dare what?”
Lisa sighed.“Interrupt.”
“Me?I would never.”Syndra’s smile widened as her gaze slid to Rezer.“Oh, hello there.It’s been a while since I’ve seen one of your kindinhere.”
Rezer turned, setting his cup down with careful precision.“Queen Syndra.”He inclined his head slightly, respectful but measured.
“Former queen,” she corrected lightly.“And you are ...?”As if she didn’t know, Lisa shook her head.
“Rezer.”The dark elf played along.
Her smile sharpened, all warmth and knowing.“Ah.The other persistent suiter.The one with the notes.”
Lisa groaned softly, rubbing her forehead.“Syndra.”
“What?”Syndra’s eyes sparkled.“I was just confirming a theory.”
Rezer’s gaze flicked to Lisa, one brow lifting.“Other?”His tone darkened along with the air around him.Light seemed to recoil from him as his stare hardened.
“Do you honestly think this young, vibrant, single, beauty doesn’t have the attention of other men?”Syndra asked, flitting around the room like a damn fairy.Lisa was going to strangle her later.
Rezer’s gaze turned to Lisa.He looked at her for several heartbeats, and then his features softened.“I think I just tried to avoid thinking of the possibility.”He seemed to be reluctant to admit that, then added, with a cheeky grin, “You’ve been discussing me?”
Lisa grabbed a dish towel, pretending to busy herself with wiping off shelves.“Only when I’m being tormented.”
Syndra laughed, a clear, musical sound.“She’s being modest.You’ve intrigued her.”
Lisa froze.“I?—”
“She has questions,” Syndra continued, ignoring the warning in Lisa’s voice.“And for once, I don’t have all the answers.”
Rezer leaned against the counter, his posture relaxed but his eyes keen.“Then maybe she should ask me.”
Syndra arched a brow.“Oh, I like you.”She turned to Lisa.“Perhaps I was wrong, maybe you don’t need peace, you need something to stir up the little cocoon you’ve put yourself in.Afterall, you didn’t pick safe and boring the first time around.”
Lisa pointed at her.“Out.Now.And don’t come back until you’ve learned to stop sticking your nose in my business.”
Syndra chuckled, already fading, her outline shimmering like sunlight through glass, no doubt headed for the mirror in the back even though she was invisible.“You know me better than that.I may not be a queen anymore, but I still don’t take orders.And don’t think I’m not coming back for details later.”
Lisa turned back just as the door to the back room closed.She could feel Rezer watching her again, no doubt that same unreadable look in his eyes.She could feel it.After a silent prayer for patience, she turned back around.
“What was that?”he asked.
“Thursday,” Lisa said dryly.“That was Thursday.”
He smiled, slow, genuine, and a little dangerous.“I think I like Thursdays.”
CHAPTER2
“He’s young enough to be your grandchild.”~ Rezer
“Thursday,” Lisa said absently, wiping her hands on a towel.Her brow furrowed the moment the word left her mouth.
Rezer caught the change immediately, the flicker of recognition, the faint pinch between her brows.“Something about Thursday?”
She shook her head too quickly, brushing some wisps of hair from her face.“Just a busy day.”
