“I understand we’ll be getting a member of the high court joining the police for a while.”
I perked up. Max had failed to mention that bit of news earlier.
“Yeah.” Axel took us through the living room towards the open French doors. “They want someone permanent to oversee the case rather than have Lady Sarhin and Rys’s dad hopping back and forth through the gateway.”
I stifled a snort at Rys’s muttered, “Thank the Goddess.”
“Do you know who it is?” Max asked.
“No idea.” Axel ushered us outside where Rys’s dad and Lady Sarhin waited.
We said our goodbyes.
I’d never been overly friendly with the fae side of my family, which was my doing more than theirs. But they’d bent over backwards to help everyone who’d suffered from Blue Alhuirn poisoning, and I felt a tug to know more about my fae heritage.
“Will we be seeing you soon, Gabriel?” Lady Sarhin asked quietly as she came to stand beside me.
“I’d like to see my mother’s home through the gateway. I think it’s time.”
She smiled. “I think so too.”
The air in front of us shimmered and Rys’s dad stepped forward to greet the newcomer who stepped out of seemingly thin air.
“Dathal.” He drew him into a hug before stepping back and introducing us one by one. When he got to Axel, I was surprised to see a scowl on his face.
“Oh, don’t be like that, cousin.” Dathal grinned and gripped Axel’s shoulder, forcing a reluctant smile out of him. “It’s been ages since we’ve spent any time together.”
Axel rolled his eyes. “And now you’re going to be living with me. How wonderful.” But his shoulders relaxed and he let Dathal pull him into a hug.
As soon as the gateway closed behind Rys’s dad and Lady Sarhin, nearly all eyes focused on Dathal. He was hot, naturally. I don’t think I’d ever met a fae who wasn’t striking.
His silver hair was a shade darker than Axel’s, short on the sides, longer on top, and cut in a way that made his sharp cheekbones stand out even more. His eyes were a vivid purple, lined by thick black lashes, and the wicked smile that curved his lips promised nothing but trouble.
Oh, this was going to be fun.
Max elbowed me in the side, and I quickly realised I was staring. And everyone had noticed. Rys’s cocked eyebrow met me when I turned to look at him. I grinned and mouthed, “You’re the only one for me.”
His answering huff of laughter made our bond hum, and I moved into the arm he held out for me.
“Ahh, so you two are the soulmates,” Dathal said, eyeing us both with open curiosity.
“We are.” Pretty sure I didn’t imagine the underlying growl in Rys’s voice. I gave him a gentle nudge, though I loved his possessiveness and he knew it.
“So you two—” Dathal’s gaze roamed over Max and Talis in such a filthy way I had to stifle a laugh. “—are single?”
“Dathal,” Axel gritted out, sounding snippier than I’d ever heard him. “Leave my friends alone. No one’s interested in being your flavour of the week.”
Dathal’s eyes narrowed. “Sorry, cousin. I didn’t realise I was stepping on your toes.” He eyed Max and Talis again and shot them a dirty smile. “Sorry if I made you uncomfortable.”
Max laughed, clearly enjoying the attention, whereas Talis was looking everywhere but at Axel. “Don’t apologise. I’m always happy to be on the receiving end of a look like that.” He held his hand out and Dathal shook it. “I look forward to working with you. It’ll be interesting, to say the least.”
“Oh, I think we can count on that.” Dathal laughed and then turned his attentions on Talis. “What about you, Talis? Do I get to work with you too?” His eyes sparkled with mischief, and Talis blushed.
“Um… no. But I’d be happy to help in any way I can.”
Dathal’s smile softened into something more genuine and less teasing. “Thank you. I’ll keep that in mind.”
Axel cleared his throat. “I’m sure you all have better things to do than hang around here.” He made shooing motions with his hands in a move that was so uncharacteristic we all stared for a minute before taking the hint.
