“Yes.” Liam nodded once. “Why else would I leave my sister on her own, to deal with the politics of my territory, so often? Audrey is powerful; she can easily protect both of you on her own without my assistance.” He gained a few extra points in my book by acknowledging how Audrey didn’t need a big, strong man in her life. “But it physicallyhurtsto stay away from Audrey too much. I was hoping that the longer she spent in Hyvenmere, the more the realm’s magic would fuse with her cells, producing the same pull I feel for her every time—” He cut himself off, shaking his head. “Unfortunately, our hearts are still out of sync. I’m terrified that while she ismymate, I might not be—” he groaned and scraped a large hand down his face.
I didn’t know what to say to that. This man had just admitted to hopelessly pining for my best friend for years, holding himself back, because he was waiting for her to feel the same magical pull that he felt.
I drummed my fingers on the wood of the desk. “Have you ever considered that because she’s half human, she won’t ever feel the same pull as you?” Liam hummed as he leaned back on the loveseat and stared at the ceiling.
“Yes. However, every other mated halfling that has fae blood has eventually felt the pull—but it only took them a couple of months to establish.” Then Liam snapped his head up to me, “You cannot tell Audrey yet.”
I scoffed and said, “I’m obviously going to tell her immediately.”
“No, Van,” Liam argued. “Audrey already has too much to balance right now. Taking an important title from Ilia. Ensuring the gates stay open. She’s even worrying about the missing sirens. I don’t want to add to her list of concerns. If she truly wants to be with me, I want her to be without the obligation of how—howunbearablemy need for her is.” Liam gave me a pleading look. “Please, promise me that you won’t tell her.”
I groaned in irritation at him. “We can’t just keep this from her forever. She deserves to know. She deserves to have all the information available to her. I know what it’s like when someone you trust keeps big secrets from you—” I gave him a pointed look, and panic rose in his features. “So, I’ll make you a deal.”
“Anything,” Liam agreed.
“I won’t tell Audrey that you think she’s your mate, but only if you promise to tell her yourself.” Liam stared at me, his expression marred by conflict, as unease created fine lines around his eyes. I didn’t back down. I kept my expression cool but stern as I waited for his response.
“Fine,” Liam muttered after several unbearable moments of silence. “Fine. Agreed.”
“What are you agreeing to?” Audrey’s voice echoed down the hallway, seconds before she walked through my office again. Liam and I gave each other a look before I chimed in.
“I agreed to be a little nicer to him.” I grinned at my best friend. “Since we’re working together to help you bring peace to the realms and whatnot.”
Audrey smiled, looking between the two of us. “Really?” I nodded while Liam mouthedthank youto me behind her back. I raised my eyebrows at him in a silent reply,uphold your end of the deal.
Audrey plopped herself down next to Liam on the loveseat, rubbing her hands together.
“I had an idea while I was on my run.” Audrey didn’t even look sweaty, as if going on an impromptu run didn’t ruin her hair or energy level at all. Must be the fae side of her. “Since we have no leads, we need to confront Ada about what the hell is going on with Ilia and the nereids.”
“I’ve been thinking the same thing,” Liam admitted before draining the last of his cold brew. He held the empty glass up at me in silent appreciation and continued, “I would be genuinely shocked if Ada felt influenced or manipulated by Ilia at all. I wonder if the rumors she’s heard in her unit aren’t fully biased.”
“Also, I just really miss Enhavenn,” Audrey sighed. “It’s so beautiful there. It’s my favorite city in Hyvenmere.” I lifted an eyebrow at Liam, acknowledging that this must be good news for him, but he ignored me.
“Are there any fae mating rituals we could crash?”
Liam snorted. “That was last month for us.” I was mostly joking, but it brought me joy that mating rituals were such a normal thing in his realm. “Additionally, we don’t need a formal reason to visit my sister. I’m her brother, and she already loves Audrey like a sister.”Well, thank god for that, I thought to myself.
“Let me check my calendar, and I can go with you, if you want.” I lifted a shoulder as I pulled my phone out of my jeans.
“You’re always invited to join me in Hyvenmere, Van.” Audrey grinned. “God, I love that you’re in on all of this.”
“You’re preaching to the choir, my friend.” I scoffed, quirking my lips to the side in mild annoyance that my empty calendarreminded me that Drew and I hadn’t been able to nail down another date quite yet. I had fun dancing with him, and I swore he had fun, too, based on those sexy texts we’ve exchanged since. “How about tomorrow? We have no events, which means Shane will be able to handle running this place without me.”
“Works for me.” Audrey nodded.
“It’s settled.” Liam clapped his hands together and stood from the loveseat. When he reached down to grab his empty cold brew cup off the arm, he lifted it at me with a sheepish expression. “Can I have another?”
I rolled my eyes but pushed myself away from my desk, not wanting to admit that he enjoyed my recipes. “Sure, big guy.”
“Wow, you were serious about being more cordial.” Audrey grinned. “Thank you.”
“I wish I had more answers for you,” Queen Ada said as she bent to admire a pale pink rose with a deep inhale. We were wandering through her gardens in the back of the courtyard. The sun was setting, already hidden beyond the horizon, inviting a deep blue to take the place of the pinks and oranges that danced in the clouds when we first arrived.
I made sure to take an allergy pill before we left, and after some bickering between Liam and me, we all decided to lyskift here again. I didn’t puke this time, but I was still disoriented when we landed at the front gates of the Dahl family estate.
“The Kings and Queen of the Nereids haven’t said or done anything suspicious?” Liam pressed his sister. We followed her as she stepped toward the next rosebush, pouring water over the rich soil. The flowers visibly perked up, even with the setting sun. Audrey trailed her fingers over the soft petals of one, andthe flower leaned into her caress like a cat would with a human it didn’t hate.
“None that I’ve heard, and I’m not sure why Ilia would feel like I’m about to endorse his position on the Mellhawn Gates activity.” Ada frowned. “Though the very idea that he might be feeling that way concerns me.”
