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Maybe that was part of the problem.

“Shut up and listen,” I growled back.

He shut up, though he looked annoyed about doing so.

“Lav slips out of the room a bit later, and you don’t say anything as she leaves, even though you’re tempted to ask her about it. You listen closely for the sounds of her coming home all night, and when you don’t hear them, you don’t go to sleep. You end up in the hallway as morning approaches, pacing in front of her door. She finally reaches the top of the staircase, her braid undone and her hair tangled, her face happier than you’ve ever seen it, and her body reeking of another man’s pleasure. You—“

A snarl escaped Jesh, and moonlight flickered off his skin. “Enough.”

“Watch your tone.” Namir’s voice was no longer playful.

“It’s alright. If he doesn’t want my help, he doesn’t have to take it,” I drawled, stepping away from Jesh as if I hadn’t expected that to happen.

Namir was probably a bit confused, but his confident façade remained as I dropped the shadowed sphere from around us.

“I can take a stab at it,” Namir said casually, releasing my waist.

I could’ve kissed him for realizing what I was doing—or at least giving me space to do it.

“Fine,” Jesh growled at us. His voice was slightly less angry, but I shot him a glare before I stepped away anyway.

Lavee eyed me curiously, as I headed back to the place Namir and I had sat on the stairs for a while. When I slyly gestured her toward me, she excused herself from the conversation with the men she’d been helping and crossed the room. After plopping down beside me unceremoniously, she murmured, “What was that about?”

“Helping Jesh with his magic and pulling his head out of his ass at the same time,” I murmured back.

She lifted an eyebrow at me. “How?”

“What’s the one thing you can’t help but feel toward your fated mate, Lav?”

Her eyes narrowed. “Possessive.”

“Mmhm. I tried to teach him the same way I taught you—now, you just need to convince someone to act like they’re fucking you.”

Lav grimaced. “You’re an evil mastermind now?”

“I’m a brilliant friend now,” I corrected. Lowering my voice, I added, “You see the mark on my neck. I felt the bond snap into place between me and Namir, and you deserve to have that too. It’s incredible, Lav. If all it takes is a fake date or two with a friend, isn’t it worth it?”

She heaved a sigh. “I hate you for being right.”

“You’ll love me for it eventually.” I leaned back, spreading my hands on the stairs. “I set the bait, now you get to decide whether or not to dangle the stick.”

She snorted. “That’s terrible.”

“I know.” I flashed her a grin.

She heaved a sigh, then stood up. “Wish me luck.”

“You won’t need it.”

I watched her cross the room, headed back to the men practicing their magic. Jesh’s narrowed eyes followed her, and she must’ve noticed it, because she started off with adding more instructions to the guys.

When Jesh and Namir were fighting with their magic, Namir keeping his shadows toned down, Lavee stepped closer to the men and murmured a few quick words.

I saw grins on their faces, along with nods of agreement, and then they returned to practicing.

Everyone continued for a bit longer, until one of the men remarked, “Clearly, I’m a lost cause. I think I’m going to celebrate my failure with a night of wine and sex. Either of you want in?” He winked at them.

I bit back a snort.