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"Right," Din drawled, not fooled for a moment. "What about Markus practicing naked yoga on the roof of his house?"

"His tie was very forthcoming about it," Fenella insisted with mock solemnity. "Practically begged me to tell everyone."

Their banter was interrupted as the door swung open, and Jasmine and Ell-rom walked in. The Kra-ell royal looked somewhat out of place in the rustic, Tolkien-inspired setting, his regal bearing and ethereal features marking him as distinctly alien despite his immortal-style beauty and casual attire. Yet no one paid him much attention. The village inhabitants had grown accustomed to him and his sister and all the other Kra-ell hybrids and purebloods living among them.

"Looks like a family gathering," Fenella observed as the couple made their way toward their table. "Should I expect the sisters and all thirteen kids next?"

"God, I hope not," Kyra said. "We're still working on public outings with them. Arezoo's the only one who's ventured out on her own so far."

"She's enjoying working at the café," Jasmine said as she and Ell-rom pulled more stools to the table.

"Like aunt, like niece," Fenella said with a wink. "Now, much as I'd love to stay and chat, duty calls. Holler if you need anything."

As she rose to her feet and returned to the bar, Din couldn't tear his eyes away from her. The sway of her hips, the confident set of her shoulders, the way she flicked her hair over her shoulder as she laughed at something someone said—every movement was mesmerizing.

"You've got it so bad," Max teased.

"Is it that obvious?" Din asked.

"You look like a starving man staring at a feast," Ell-rom said bluntly.

Din winced. "I'm trying to keep a low profile. She already thinks I'm smothering her."

Kyra frowned. "Did she say that?"

"She called it stifling. I wanted to stay here with her tonight to make sure no one gave her trouble, and she told me that I was hovering."

"Well, what would you call sitting here in the corner all night long?" Jasmine asked.

Din started to deny it, then reconsidered. "I worry about her. After everything she's been through..."

"She's not made of glass," Kyra said gently. "Trust me on this. The worst thing after suffering a trauma is being treated like you might shatter at any moment."

"I know." Din ran a hand through his hair, a habit when frustrated. "I just want to protect her."

"And she appreciates it," Jasmine assured him. "But she also needs space to find herself again. To remember who she was before all the bad stuff happened."

Din nodded toward the bar where Fenella was now entertaining a group of Guardians with an elaborate tale involving one of their watches. "She seems to be doing a fine job of that on her own."

"Just be there when she wants you," Max said. "Give her room when she doesn't."

Din nodded. "When you are right, you're right."

"So, when do you go back to Scotland?" Ell-rom asked, changing the subject.

Din tore his gaze away from Fenella. "I took two weeks off for a so-called family emergency, but..." He hesitated, the decision crystallizing in his mind as he spoke. "I don't think I'm going back. Not permanently, anyway."

"What about your students?" Jasmine asked. "Your research?"

"The term ends in a few weeks. My assistant can administer the final exams, and I can grade them remotely." Din took a sip of his beer, considering his options. "After that, I could request a sabbatical."

"And then what?" Max pressed. "You'll move to the village?"

"Where else? But I haven't discussed any of it with Fenella yet. I still need to see where this is going. If things don't work out between us, I'll be on the first flight back to Scotland. I wouldn't be able to tolerate seeing her with someone else."

Max looked away.

"It's going to work out between you," Jasmine said. "But don't make any rash decisions. Let things unfold naturally."