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“I know,” War said with a laugh. “I think he could talk anyone into just about anything.”

“Is that so?” she said, raising an eyebrow at Hel. “Then I should be careful?”

“Most definitely,” Hel purred and nipped her earlobe. “Very careful. I’m the bad guy.”

Goosebumps rose all across her skin. “I’ll make you yearn to do naughty things. I’ll make you want to bring down those walls and call me things you never even thought of with anyone else like—‘mine’. We’ll get lost in other realms doing questionable acts like grinding at a party with dragons.” He flicked a gold coin into the air. “And stealing their gold.” He pressed it into her palm. “Something to remember this night.”

Flushed and heart pounding, she closed her fingers around it. She didn’t know what to say in response, so she looked at War. “Do you like it here in Ryvengaard?”

Hel let out a deep belly laugh, pulled his arm from her and brought a civar to his lips. “I say all that and you ignore it and ask War a question. I think I like you.”

War smiled down at her. “He does like you. There’s no thinking about it.”

“I never could have guessed. You stole Soulender, one of the only weapons that can kill you just to lure me out so you could see me.”

“When you put it that way it sounds a bit psychotic,” Hel said, then blew out a puff of smoke.

“Then you let me get away with murder. So yes, I think it’s safe to say you like me.”

“Alright, don’t rub it in. Or you’ll figure out you’ve got me wrapped around your finger already and that would ruin my reputation.” He ran his thumb over the lily mark on her shoulder. “I’m not supposed to like anyone. Except for War and my aunt. They were the only exceptions to the rule.”

“You two grew up together, correct?”

War nodded. “Remember that time we snuck into Synick’s wine stash for the party after our tutors? And he caught us on the way out, broke both bottles over our heads then made us drink until we threw up?”

“Ah yes, good times. Nothing like an ass whippin’ to reminisce on. I still can’t drink that flavor of wine.”

“Were you closer with Balneir or Synick?”

“Balneir,” War said. “My father was the one who taught us all the important things. Synick taught us to be tough, and how to fight but my father taught us how to care. And my mother taught us how to love.”

“She is the goddess of love so I wouldn’t expect anything else,” she said with a smile. “I always liked her.”

Hel looked toward the bonfire. There was a sadness in the depths of his eyes.

“And what happened to your mother?” she asked. “I haven’t heard anything about her in a long time.”

Hel forced a smile. “Don’t know.”

“I don’t mean to be rude but in my research I never could find who your father is.”

He took a long pull of his civar. “You’re guess is as good as mine. She left me on War’s parents’ doorstep when I was a baby, and no one has seen or heard from her since. I guess she figured her twin brother would take in her mistake.”

Her mistake… ouch. How could he think of himself that way? War and Valeen exchanged a look. War gave a slight shake of his head, a warning not to keep going down this path.

“I think even if she couldn’t take care of you, you are her greatest blessing.”

He huffed but gave her a half smile. “You’re an optimist.”

“Not always. Will you dance with me again?”

He tossed his civar and swept her up in his arms, getting a giggle out of her. “I thought you’d never ask, love.”

Layala sat up in bed,blinking away the intensity of her dream and tried to adjust to the bright light filling the room. She pressed her hand over her chest; her heart pounded beneath her palm. Holy Maker, she’d accused Hel of having mother issues, saying that if his mother didn’t love him who else could, and she’s said it to be mean, but she didn’t know when she said it that it was true. Now she felt horrible. And kissing him, feeling the heat of his hard body pressed to hers, swaying with her, her body was warm and tingly all over even now.

How had he changed so much? How could his story be that War tricked her into leaving, and her memory be that he did something to make her leave? How had things gone wrong?

No. I can’t let the past get to me. I can’t feel things for Hel.