‘Got it, tyrant. But before I go, I will help you because you’re hopeless.’ The idiot winked. ‘The answer is flowers.’
‘The answer to what?’
‘To this. She’s a witch. She likes nature. Try it.’
‘Thank you for your infinite wisdom, Blaze, but you’ve been mated ever since you came of age,’ I replied, tired of him. ‘You’re not exactly a walking encyclopaedia on women since you’ve only been with one.’
My brother scoffed. ‘Do you honestly think your flings taught you more than a mate bond?’
‘Not what I said. But you haven’t courted many women.’
A sharp huff left him. ‘And you have?’
No. I never had to try. Women had thrown themselves at me my entire life.
Biting my tongue, I ignored his loud chortle. Instead, I glared until the infuriating sound finallydied out.
‘This chase doesn’t stop once you mate her, you know that, right?’ he continued, looking smug.
I forced myself to remain calm. ‘Your point being?’
‘I’m not trying to make a point,’ Blaze said slowly. ‘Just trying to help.’
Having him back was great, but the man had a talent for irritating me. ‘A minute ago you questioned my decision to mate a witch. Now you’re trying to help?’
‘I don’t trust them. You can’t blame me for that. But I don’t begrudge your witch for what happened to me.’
‘She’s a halfling,’ I corrected him again before returning to my seat and research.
There were too many places to search for the Crones and nowhere near enough time.
‘I’ll leave you to it then.’
Blaze shut the door behind him.
The distance between Ava and me was affecting me in ways I couldn’t foresee. I never meant to be harsh with my family. Yet, every time they questioned my decisions, stress, and disappointment twisted into irritation.
I was lost. I didn’t need the reminder.
My mother had just returned from fate knew where after a decade away, and still, she couldn’t hide her disappointment in what I had done.
‘How could you?’ she asked, her large eyes filled with tears.
Her expression betrayed the disgust she felt toward my actions. I couldn’t blame her. What I had done went against everything she had ever taught me.
My life was war. I could only hope my love life wouldn’t become one.
Pouring myself another whisky, I eventually moved toward the vast map I had been analysing for weeks.
The journey across my kingdom to find the prophesied destination would not be easy. I hadn’t lied when I warned Ava of the dangers in my lands.
Some beasts were too wild to ever recognise me as their king. And if she travelled with anyone else, I wasn’t certain I could keep myself from losing my mind.
With me, she was safe. My fire would burn anything that threatened her. I just didn’t know if the nature-loving, gentle girl could ever accept that ruthless part of me.
Chapter Seven
Avari
