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I didn’t like how the others seemed to wilt a bit whenever Cornaith asserted his authority. Aside from the magic—which they possessed too—what threat did he pose? Sure, he was their leader, but there was a difference between respect and the strange unease I sensed.

“After the spectacle in Cholian, we can’t ignore that you’re not human—at least, not entirely.” Cornaith waved a hand. “As such, you can no longer live on the human plane.”

“Never again?”

“That is correct.”

“It’s too dangerous for you and humans alike,” Lymsrana said, amber eyes softening. “You don’t understand your newly awakened infernal blood. Furthermore, we’re unable to remain on the human plane for extended periods.”

That wasn’t true. My old boss Shane had been there for a long time before the guys exposed him for the infernal he was.

Seeing the disbelief I couldn’t hide, Ardvaen said, “Without special wards and trinkets, our minds weaken after long periods away from Niemna.”

Well, that explained Shane’s strange behavior when he enlisted lesser infernals to kill me, then gave up on that idea entirely and attempted to murder me himself until Ezra deleted him from existence.

“Either way, it’s not debatable,” Cornaith said, drawing our attention. “You are to live out your remaining days in Elyrdin.”

Peachy.

“And what does that mean for me? I don’t have a home, a job, or money. What do you buy and sell with, anyway? The guys said you have stuff like Earth. Jobs and the same kind of stuff we—uh… I mean, humans use.”

Gonna take me a while to get used to that one.

“Unless it’s proven otherwise, you are tethered to our sons, and so your home will be the same as theirs,” Cornaith said. “My son says you’ve already bonded with Ashryn. Is this true?”

I cleared my throat and glanced away.

“Now isn’t the time to be embarrassed. You’re an adult.”

Yeah, and I didn’t like discussing my sex life with complete strangers—especially the parents of the guy I was sleeping with. Love or no love.

“I’m not embarrassed.” When he stared at me as if waiting for me to explain myself, I huffed and added, “I don’t feel it appropriate to talk about that sort of thing with you.”

“Girl, we are not asking about the actual act of bonding,” Ardvaen said, a smirk lifting the corner of his mouth, making it clear he was Cyn’s father. “We only want to know if you’ve secured your tether.”

“Oh. Well, yeah. We did that before coming here.”

“Then your home is with them until the end of your life,” Cornaith said.

That didn’t sound ominous at all.

“As far as employment and a living wage are concerned, that isn’t necessary for you.” Cornaith stroked his goatee. “As the Nyrith of Elyrdin’s heirs, the royal treasury will cover your living expenses. Your only job is to attend to my son, nephew, and the others however they need. “There are plenty of workers who provide services such as cleaning and maintenance for their home, but if they call on you for anything, you are to comply.”

I blinked. “Excuse me?”

“Was I not clear about something?”

“Let me get this straight.” I crossed my arms. “You’re telling me I’m supposed to be a servant to those four?”

“If they wish it.”

“You’re out of your mind.”

Amra’s hands clenched in her lap, and Lymsrana glanced at Ardvaen.

Ardvaen cleared his throat. “I’m sure she doesn’t mean—”

“She does mean.” I glared at Cornaith, who surprisingly looked cool as a cucumber. “I did not uproot my life to come to some foreign land to be a maid to a group of guys because their daddy told me to.” I scoffed and looked down at my feet. “I mean, come on. I accepted having to move here. I’m gonna figure this Shyrlivi thing out. But I am no one’s servant.”