His jaw ticked as he glared at her, then schooled his features, sauntering away. “See you at dinner.”
The door clicked shut as he disappeared.
Jorrar leaned against the back of one of the couches. “Casimir. Do not rise to Jareth’s quips.”
Casimir ran a hand through his hair. “I can’t allow him to speak to Ava that way.”
Ava moved in front of him, still holding his hand in hers. “You can and you will. He does it on purpose because he gets a reaction out of you. Don’t give in to it.”
Quinn joined them, standing next to Jorrar. “They’re right, Cas. It’s been like this for decades. Jareth baits you and you fall for it every damned time.”
Casimir groaned. “I know.”
“Then stop doing it,” Ava said. “I really don’t care what he says to me. Ignore it. Please.”
“And after the ball, he now knows making comments to Ava will rile you,” Jorrar said. “Which means he will continue to do so if you react every time.”
“Cas,” Ava went on, “I know how to handle men like him. Misogyny is everywhere in the human world. I’ve worked with people like him. I can handle it. You don’t need to protect my honor. If we ignore it and show it doesn’t bother us, he’ll eventually get bored.”
“Fine.” He held her chin in his hand. “But I’m keeping track. Every time he insults you, earns him a fist to the face. He will pay that debt after the war.”
Quinn snorted. “That’s as good as you’re going to get from this fae brute, Ava.”
Ava rolled her eyes. “You’re ridiculous.”
Ava brushedher waves as she and Casimir finished getting ready for dinner. The dress Jareth had picked out for her was stunning and she was surprised to find it wasn’t risqué at all. What she had worn to the solstice ball was much more revealing.
The wrap style gown was a pale blue gossamer, the ombre fabric darkening as it ended in a deep navy near the hem. Stars embroidered with a subtly glowing golden thread sprinkled the skirts and the long sleeves billowed near her wrists.
“I hate to admit it. But I love this dress. It’s beautiful and comfortable.”
Casimir walked up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist. He nuzzled into her neck and kissed her gently. “It is beautiful,” he murmured against her skin. “But you’re gorgeous no matter what you wear, so I may be a little biased.”
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath as he pulled her closer. “Even when I’m all sweaty and dirty in my training clothes?”
“Even then.” His hands slowly moved up her waist, stopping at her ribcage.
“Can I ask you something?”
“Of course, love.”
“Earlier, when we arrived. You looked like you were going to be sick.”
He was quiet. Ava turned in his arms, placed her hands on his chest, and met his gaze.
“You’re not afraid of heights are you?” she asked.
“No. Being here is…difficult. I didn’t realize just how hard it would be.”
“Being around your family?”
“That and—” He closed his eyes and ran a hand down his face. “My astral magic seems to be much more…alive here. Though I’ve gotten used to using it more often, it feels different now. Restless.”
“That makes sense,” she said. “Do you think it would help if you just allow yourself to use it? Not only during battle or…the bedroom”—Ava cleared her throat as Casimir’s lips tilted into a subtle smirk—“but casually. Maybe the more you acclimate, the less traumatic it will be.”
He cupped her face, tilting his head. “You have a good point. I’ll consider it.”
She pecked his lips. “If there’s anything I can do to help, let me know.”
