“All we’re saying,” Mase tried again, “is that maybe think twice before getting involved with him.”
I eyed them both curiously. “Have either of you spoken to Dathal about this?”
Silence.
“I see.” I tapped my fingers on the surface of the desk. “And why is that, exactly? Because you think it’s one sided on my part? Or because he’d be as pissed off as I am, but not half as reasonable?”
Axel winced, and I had my answer.
“You think I won’t get angry? You have to realise that none of this is any of your fucking business, right?” I was a witch, for fuck’s sake. One with a track record for acting recklessly. They should be more concerned that I might lose my temper. The fact that I couldn’t access my magic was neither here nor there, because they didn’t fucking know that.
Axel groaned and rubbed his hands over his face, fingers massaging his temples. When he dropped his hands, his eyes seemed to glow for a moment before returning to their usual vibrant purple. “I’m sorry.” He slumped back in his chair, his whole demeanour changing so suddenly I wondered what had just happened. “You’re absolutely right. What you or Dathal do or don’t get up to is no one’s business but yours.”
I frowned, totally confused now. “Okaay.”
“Just…” He sat forward and reached for my hands. “Bear in mind that if you do get involved with him, it can’t go anywhere. Dathal is a member of the fae guard. The high court won’t let him go easily. And I doubt you’d want to leave everything behind and move through the gateway, even if they’d allow it.”
Not that I had any intention of doing anything, but for argument’s sake… “You’ve lived with Rys’s pack for ages.”
Axel’s laugh was bitter. “There’s a good reason for that, which I’m not about to go into. It’s different for Dathal.”
I rubbed my own temples, because all this endless back and forth was giving me a headache. “Look, I understand that as Dathal’s cousin, you feel the need to offer me advice. But I don’t want it, nor do I appreciate you trying to get involved in something that doesn’t concern you.” I glanced at Mase. “Either of you.”
Mase said nothing, but Axel sighed again.
“I’m sorry,” he repeated. “Now that I’ve thoroughly pissed you off, does that mean I’m not welcome tonight?”
I stared at him for a moment before shaking my head. “Fuck no. Unless you start with all of this crap again, then I’ll have to get Max to throw you out.” I grinned at him to show I was joking. Sort of.
Axel held up his hands. “Not mentioning anything on the subject ever again.”
I narrowed my eyes. “Will you say anything similar to Dathal?”
“Klaryth daggers are his weapon of choice.” He shuddered as though that was explanation enough. I knew nothing about fae weaponry, or fae anything for that matter. Other than Mase, the only fae I knew as more than a passing acquaintance was Axel, and he’d lived with Rys’s pack for so long I sometimes forgot he wasn’t one of them.
“Anyway,” Axel said, getting up. “I suspect I’ve outstayed my welcome, so I’m going to leave you to it. I’ll see you both later.”
The silence he left in his wake lasted longer than expected. I stared at Mase, and he stared back, neither of us willing to go first. I knew he’d cave eventually, so I crossed my arms and waited him out.
“I didn’t know he was going to say all that, I swear.”
“Hmm.” Mase didn’t lie. So I had to grudgingly accept he was telling the truth. “I’m sure you have thoughts on the subject.”
“I do. Probably not what you’re expecting, though.”
“Oh?” I gestured for him to elaborate, curiosity eclipsing my earlier irritation.
“Isn’t it a bit awkward or weird?”
I frowned. “What?”
“The fact that you’ve fucked Axel, and the two of you were sat there discussing whether or not you should do the same with his cousin.”
“Um…” Yeah, not what I thought he was going to say. And maybe it should’ve been awkward, but it really wasn’t. “Axel and I were never anything serious. You know he’s not about that. We were convenient for each other, that’s all. There were no hurt feelings involved. No feelings at all, really. It wasn’t a regular thing, and it was a while ago now. We’re friends.” I rolled my eyes. “Which is the only reason I let him get away with all that shit. I know his heart’s in the right place, even if it’s none of his business.”
“Fair enough, I guess.” A slow smile spread across his face, and I justknewwhat was coming next. “Soooo… you and Dathal, then?”
“Fuck’s sake.” I jabbed a finger at him. “It’s none of your business either.”
