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Over time the warriors trickled out to celebrate and practice their magic on their own, until there were only six of us left in the room—me and Namir, Jesh, Lavee, and two other male fae I sort of recognized.

Lavee stood on the opposite side of the room from Jesh, talking animatedly with the other two male fae. Jesh’s eyes were narrowed, his body tensed as he went through some type of routine with his sword that included some strange stretches, turns, and slashes. He was pointedly not looking at Lavee, but Namir and I had noticed that he hadn’t figured out how to tap into his magic.

My gaze lingered on him, and Namir nipped at my earlobe for probably the fiftieth time since we’d been sitting in the training room.

“Watch your eyes, Love. I don’t want to kill anyone,” he murmured playfully.

“He looks angry,” I murmured back.

“Any man refusing to acknowledge feelings for his fated mate would be.”

My eyebrows shot upward.

He had feelings for Lavee?

My gaze slid over to her; she was grinning as she talked with the other fae men.

“Want to help me get him to acknowledge those emotions?” I checked quietly.

“I’ve tried. He’s a stone wall.” Namir nipped at my ear again.

“Just play along,” I told him, standing smoothly.

The king reluctantly rose with me, and his arms left my body as he captured my hand, threading his fingers between mine. He let me take the lead, remaining beside me as I crossed the room, headed over to Jesh.

Jesh congratulated us on the development of our bond, now that he could see the markings on our necks, but his voice was stiff.

“Need help?” I asked him, gesturing to the sword in his hand that most definitely wasn’t drenched in moonlight.

He scowled my way. “How did you help Lav?”

“I can show you, but you’ve got to stop glaring at me. My king here doesn’t take well to threats.” I tilted my head toward Namir, and he flashed Jesh a wicked grin.

“You know it’s true, brother.”

Jesh scowled. “Fine.”

I shaped the shadows Namir had around us into a sphere, like I had done with Lavee in the forest, and used them to separate us from the rest of the room.

“If you want my help, you don’t protest my methods. Do what I say, when I say it, and don’t complain,” I said sharply.

His scowl deepened, but he jerked his head in a nod.

He was in a shitty mood of the likes I’d rarely seen from him—and I was almost positive that Lavee was to blame for it.

And I was going to use that.

“Close your eyes,” I told him.

He did, though I was fairly confident he would’ve growled at me for the command if Namir hadn’t already threatened him.

“Picture yourself back in the training room,” I instructed.

Namir’s arms wrapped around me again, and he stepped up to me until his chest was to my back once more.

“Not with your magic, but with your swords. You’re practicing with Namir, while Lavee talks to a man in the corner.” I mentally scrambled for a name of one of the more attractive male fae warriors I’d met. “She laughs with Kaiz, and your foot slips. Namir takes the opportunity to disarm you, and his sword lands against your throat just as you hear Lavee agree to go dancing with Kaiz tonight.”

Jesh’s scowl deepened. “She hasn’t been out with any men since we realized our connection.”