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“Yes, and yes.”

“Were you there?” Layala balked.

“No, I happened to be doing a scrying spell to check in on you. I felt something wasn’t right.”

“A scrying spell? Like you watched me through a crystal ball or something?” Layala’s brows furrowed. So, he could spy on her from afar at any time? A chill ran down her spine.

“Or something.”

“You haven’t watched me…”

“Undress? Bathe? Touch yourself while thinking of me?”

Layala gasped at the audacity. “I would never do that and think ofyou.”

With a chuckle, he said, “No. I don’t watch you in private moments. I’m not a pervert. I do havesomemorals.”

“You better not watch.” She scowled at him and then to move the conversation forward, she asked, “Who decides when and where we’re born again?” He was finally opening up to her, giving her the answers she desperately needed.

“I don’t know. I assume the Maker. The fates.”

“The All Mother,” Layala added.

Hel smiled at her. “Possibly.”

Layala couldn’t stop herself from inspecting the curve of his strong jaw, the perfect slope of his nose, his luminescent skin—it all made him impossibly beautiful, and that smile. She wanted to hate him for everything he’d done, but she found herself admiring.

“I like to think that fate played a hand in this life. That the Maker and All Mother thought it was unfair they killed us before we ever got to really live. Everything happened this time for a reason. You being hidden away with a human woman, Thane’s elf father being jealous and hiding his magic. I planned to have Mathekis train you when you were old enough and protect you, but this worked better. You were supposed to be kept safe by King Tenebris and his wife. He and I made a deal. I had not the faintest idea War would be his son or that he’d bind you together as mates with my spell.”

“I can’t believe you trusted any of them, especially Mathekis.”

“Mathekis isn’t like the others. There was another god, a demigod, that was banished in the same way, and I believe Mathekis is him though he never told me so. He has the persuasion gift that gods do.”

“I know about his gift from personal experience,” Layala murmured. And it made sense that all the other elves lost their magic except for Mathekis.

They went quiet and the sounds of the city filled the silence; chatter from the elves moving from shop to shop, horse hooves clattering, somewhere nearby soft string music played by a band. The spray of water from a stone fountain in the center of the street ahead crashed into the gathering pool. Children splashed at its edges and tossed coins to make wishes.

“Do you remember anything yet?” Hel asked, but he didn’t sound hopeful.

Layala shook her head even though the dream she had of talking with the blond male about her mate mark still was very fresh in her mind. The moment of realization of her past-self recognizing Hel as her mate then and now felt private and not something she wanted to share with anyone yet. She certainly didn’t want to admit aloud that he very well may be the perfect match, created by the All Mother herself.

They trotted down busy streets, turned here and there to make their way out of the city. It was only when they rode out into the open that the three of them relaxed some. Piper kicked her horse and rode up beside Layala. “I don’t think we were followed.”

“So, Red,” Hel started. “How is it that you were dubbed Layala’s bodyguard? You’ve got the ruthless part down, if you’re willing to kill a group of people who haven’t harmed Layala. But I’m certain there are better choices, although War is the jealous type. I’m not too surprised he chose a female.”

“The High King’s name is Thane and I’m plenty capable,” Piper said.

“Piper is one of the best warriors in Palenor,” Layala said. “I would choose her any day.”

Hel’s eyes dragged over her as if assessing her in a new light. “Perhaps I should make you a mage. Do you want magic, love? I don’t make this offer lightly. It would make you a better bodyguard for her.”

“The Maker took our magic away for a reason,” Piper said, though she tore her gaze away and stared off as if deep in thought. Magic must be tempting to someone who didn’t possess it.

“True, there are no natural-born elf mages anymore, but I can give you power like you never dreamed, Red.”

“No one wants your deals. It’s not worth the price of possibly becoming a pale one,” Layala said.

“Suit yourselves. I’ll be close enough to be your bodyguard from now on anyway.” He shrugged. “Oh, his ears must have been burning.”