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She raised a brow at the tone as his jaw clenched. Did he blame himself for their bad alliances? Or lack thereof?

Junie strolled up, wearing, somehow, less than Enid, and placed both her hands on Dryston’s knees, leaning forward.

“How are you this evening, Lord of Shadows?”

Dryston flashed her a wicked grin and leaned into her. “Doing wonderful now, Junie.”

Enid made a gagging sound and jumped to her feet, waltzing away. She glanced back to see an acolyte, a merman, approaching the two. Dryston flipped his charm on the male then, making him flush and stammer. She gagged again and walked away in search of her mate.

Kaemon was playing some sort of game that involved tossing small sandbags into a hole along with Cyrus. Onora was nowhere in sight, but that wasn’t surprising. Vasu was also nowhere to be seen, but he’d been spending a lot of time with the acolytes.

Sylvaine stumbled up to her, flinging her arms around Enid’s neck and giggling. “You and Avenay are so beautiful. Separately and together.”

“Thanks,” she said, trying to steady the nymph.

“And you have wonderful personalities.” She sighed and Enid raised an amused brow. “It’s so sad that you’ll be gone so soon.”

“Well, we might stay a bit after the ritual. And will most likely come back to visit. I’m sure Avenay will want to come and study as much as she can about this place.”

Sylvaine’s brow furrowed, a tight-lipped smile on her face. She got on her tiptoes and planted a sloppy kiss on her cheek. “You’re an absolute dear. You all are. And I know the Holy Mother is pleased by how much you’ve all already given and will give.”

“She better be,” Enid agreed.

Sylvaine gave a breathy laugh, a sad look in her eyes. She traced a finger along Enid’s face. How could she get her off of her? Enid had taken multiple lovers at a time, plenty of times. But she simply didn’t have the desire for anyone but Avenay at the moment. And they hadn’t discussed what the boundaries were yet, and she didn’t want to do a single thing to hurt her right now.

Or ever.

“I’ll pray for your soul. Know that.”

“Okay.” Enid wrapped her arm around the nymph’s waist, helping her to the side and handing her off to another nymph. “Get her some coffee, okay?”

She shook off the encounter and looked up to see Avenay staring at her, amused. Fear soured in her stomach, afraid Avenay would think something was going on that wasn’t. But when she came near, Avenay laughed.

“Do I need to fight off all the females from you?”

Enid flashed a grin. “Ohhh, are you jealous?”

She wrapped her arm around Avenay’s waist.

“Do you want me to be?”

“I don’t know. The thought of you defending my honor makes me feel all sorts of things.”

Avenay chuckled. “You’re a menace. I’m not jealous, though. Does that disappoint you?”

Enid’s heart settled at her words,and she kissed Avenay. “No. It makes me happy. You know I only want you, Avie.”

Avenay chewed her lower lip. “Even if you don’t, we can talk about that. I don’t know what your expectations are.”

“Just you, that’s what I want.”

Avenay smiled, resting her head against her chest. “Me too.”

Music drifted to them, a jaunty tune, and Enid took Avenay’s hands. “Dance with me?”

Avenay grinned and took the offered hand, letting Enid lead her to the dance floor. The next song started, and it was a fast one that neither female knew the steps to. They watched the others, getting pointers, and they could match enough of the steps in a stumbling fashion that something came together. Avenay burst out laughing, resting her head on Enid’s shoulder when the dance ended, and Enid chuckled through her rapid breaths.

The next song was a slow one, and Enid’s hands went to Avenay’s waist, tugging her close, their nearness too intoxicating.