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It’s Temper’s turn to grab the wine bottle and throw it back. “You know, for all the battles being fought in the Otherworld, I’ve had hardlyanychances to zap someone.”

My mood darkens as my thoughts return to the Thief. “I’m sure your day will come.”

“Oh, Iknowit will. That’s why I’ve been hanging around this place. Love me a good fight.”

I give her a look.

“What?” Temper asks accusingly.

“You are such aballsyliar.”

She sucks in a breath. “Who are you calling—?”

“You’re not here for some fight,” I say, talking over her. “You’re not even here because I am, though I know you love me. You’re here because you like shacking up with Malaki,” I say, cutting her off.

For a moment, Temper doesn’t respond, regrouping to gather her thoughts.

“I’m here because I want a fight,” she finally says, “andmy best friend happens to be a queen. Malaki is a perk of the situation.”

Yeah, I’m not buying it.

“I’m going to hex that look off your face.”

“I’ll stop you first,” I say, my skin brightening.

“Nice try,” Temper says. “Your glamour no longer works on humans.” She sounds so certain of that fact, like she knows the effects of the lilac wine better than I do.

“Does it now?” I say, letting my magic fill my voice.

Temper’s gaze briefly goes hazy before it clears.

“Oh, you bad bitch,” she says, starting to chuckle. She takes another drink of the wine, shaking her head. “You can glamour humansandfairies?”

I lift a shoulder. “Seems that way.”

Only the Thief appears to be immune to my charms, which is unfortunate, considering he’s the one I’ll probably need to use them on.

“Lady, you better watch your back,” I say. “Malaki gets that possessive look when he sees you,” I say.

And he’s annoyingly bossy, I’ve come to find.

Temper fans herself. “I know, isn’t it fucking hot?”

Uh, that’s one way of looking at it.

“Temper, he’s Des’s best friend. If you break his heart, shit is going to get awkward.” I mean, I got a taste of Malaki when he’s peeved; forgive me if I don’t want to see what he’s like when he’s heartbroken.

“Bitch, who said anything about me breaking his heart? I’m more interested in breaking his bed.”

She’s not considering breaking up with him? This far into a fling Temper isalwaysconsidering breaking things off.

I turn to give her my full attention. “Whatis going on between you two?”

She waggles her eyebrows. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”

I laugh. “Oh my God, don’t hold out on me now.”

“Youdon’t wantmeto hold out on you? You’re the one who’s more secretive than your husband lately—and ugh, can we talk about the fact that you’re married now? You’re all domestic and old.”