Dammit, where was she? The possessive mating streak was already winding him up in knots.
Unable to locate her, he went in search of Izzeri and found him in the kitchen, hands-deep in some white substance. “Have you seen—” Reynner’s gaze dropped to the mixing bowl again. “What is that?”
Izzeri’s eyes twinkled. “Croissants. The mistress has a fondness for them.”
Reynner stared at his manservant. Then shook his head.He’dsuccumbed to Eve’s spell so he couldn’t blame Izzeri for doing likewise. “Have you seen Eve?”
“The mistress left with the young sire a while ago. They’re in the forest.”
Possessiveness yanking him hard, Reynner dematerialized. If Aerén touched her, he wouldn’t just threaten this time, he’d kill him. But if Eve so much as allowed Aerén within an inch of her, he’d lock her up in his aerie and the prince could damn well find another place to live.
Reynner took form on a flat boulder at the foot of the mountains. His mouth flattened when he thought of the last time he’d seen her with Aerén—he still wanted to break every bone in Aerén’s body for kissing Eve.
Whatever reason Aerén had for bringing Eve to the falls, it had damn well better be good.
Despite the roaring water, the tinny sounds of steel clashing caught his attention. Fear raced through him. In preternatural speed, he headed toward the clanging coming from the middle of the forest. And staggered to a halt in shock.
A small sword in her hand, Eve faced Aerén in a crouch then she sprinted, and Aerén came at her in a move so fast, Reynner flew in front of her to prevent the attack. Eve’s warm body crashed into him. He hauled her into his arms, swung around in a protective move and waited for Aerén’s sword to strike him instead.
“Christ—Reynner,I could have hurt you!”She thumped him hard on his chest, eyes bright with fear. No longer a smoky green, they now sparked with specks of the mating blue. And would for a few more hours before fading.
“He thinks I would have hurt you,” Aerén told Eve, amusement quirking his lips.
“Had you done so, you’d already be on your way to Elysium.” Reynner cut him a lethal look, unable to get over his scare.
Aerén raised his hands in peace and stepped back.
“No fighting, Eve. Ever. Understand me?” Reynner growled. She, of course, scowled and tried to shake off his hold. “This isn’t a damn game.” He shook her, hoping some sense would settle in her stubborn head. “You could get hurt.”
“Exactly the reason why I want to be able to defend myself,” she retorted. “We’re going to look for the Stone, and with your enemies lurking about,Iam a target. I refuse to be helpless.”
“And you think I wouldn’t be able to protect you?”
“Youcan do anything.” She leaned back as far as his arms allowed and glowered. “But I have learned in life to expect the unexpected.”
His gut twisted. With Inanna and Darkreans on the loose, Eve would have to be protected twenty-four seven.
“Good thing, I’ll be coming along, too,” Aerén said, determination hardening his features. A look Reynner knew far too well. “Fine.”
With a nod, Aerén dematerialized.
“Doesn’t matter,” Eve huffed. “I still want to know at least some form of self-defense. I’m not totally useless. I can learn.”
“I never thought you were, Eve,” Reynner said quietly. “What you did with the scroll is remarkable. The way you understood it…” He shook his head, still unable to comprehend how she knew what to do.
She shrugged. “It was instinct.”
“Come, let’s go back to the aerie. I’ll teach you some defense and maim techniques in the gym.”
He may hate the prince anywhere near Eve, but Aerén would be able to keep her safe when he wasn’t around for whatever reason.
Yeah right—whatever reason. There was only one.
Inanna.
As they walked out from the forest clearing, the wide space Eve put between them sparked his temper. “You got yourmomentfrom me, so now you keep your distance?”
A shocked sound left her. Color flared across her expressive features as her gaze met his. The evidence of their bonding, staring him in the face, ramped up his virulent mood.
