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The wind howled, and a giant wave rolled through the water, crashing too far over the shoreline, almost reaching the Guardian’s paws. We jumped just in time to avoid getting drenched. Another wave, even higher, rose from the waters, rolling toward us.

Then a low drawl came from behind us, “Fancy seeing you two here.”

Mercurial, the Afeya messenger from the Star Court, approached us. He wore a loincloth of pure white silk and a silver velvet cloak draped over his shoulder, held in place seemingly by his hand. He frequently appeared with his skin blue, but tonight it was the color of frost, shimmering beneath the gold and silver swirls tattooed across his body.

My heart plunged like ice to my belly.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Rhyanshiftedhisbody,angling himself between us, his stance protective.

“Holding hands. My my my,” said the Afeya.

“Hello, Mercurial,” I said, chest tight.

“Mercurial, First Messenger of Her Royal Highness, Queen Ishtara of the Star Court,” he corrected. “And how are you, Lady Lyriana Batavia, Heir to the Arkasva, High Lord of Bamaria?”

“Well,” I said, voice shaking. “Thank you.”

Mercurial bowed to Rhyan. “And how are you, my—?”

“Still not Lord Hart,” Rhyan said.

“Of course,your grace.” Mercurial chuckled, looking me up and down.

Rhyan released my hand and stepped in front of me. One hand rested on the hilt of his sword, and the other reached for his dagger. “State your business,” he snarled.

“Very clever way of not asking me a question yet demanding an answer. Hands off your knives, my not-lord. I’m not here to fight,” he purred.

“The fact that you’ve entered Bamaria without invitation says otherwise,” he seethed.

“As ambassador, I am always welcome.”

“The way you welcomed yourself into her grace’s apartment?”

Mercurial laughed. “This does not look like her grace’s apartment. It looks like public land to me. Land I have every right to step on. Land I stepped upon centuries before your soul entered this body.”

I stepped forward. “Let me know if you require my assistance.”

Mercurial tossed his head back in laughter, the sound rippling against my skin. “Let you know if I am in need of assistance from you? I am Afeya. Immortal. Blessed by the stars. No, I simply came to see the Guardian’s great muscular self up-close. It’s been, well, centuries since we’ve had some…alone time.”

I stared down the length of the beach. Two sets of footprints led to the statue. Mine and Rhyan’s. There was no third set to mark Mercurial’s path. My gut twisted. Had he seen Meera?

Mercurial pursed his lips together, pulling his long black hair over his shoulder, suddenly taking a deep interest in his braids. They were unraveling and restyling themselves as he looked down. “And how are you both faring under your oaths? Quite a cold night. Perfect for sitting close together on the shore, cuddling beneath a cloak while the waves lick delicately at your feet. Hands maybe touching, or maybe lips touching hands….” He stared up at us, his eyes like starlight, twinkling and almost too bright to look at. “Or do you prefer early mornings in bed?”

My stomach dropped.

“Good night, Mercurial,” Rhyan snapped. Ice puffed from his aura, sharp and burning with cold.

“Such anger from the son of the High Lord and Imperator.” Mercurial’s voice was dancing with flirtation. “You’re more like him every time I see you.”

Rhyan lunged. “I am nothing like my father.”

“My fierce not-lord. Once again, did I say anything about your father? Just him. And there are manyhimsI've come across in time.” He swirled his head back, stretching his neck, which undulated from side to side like a snake.

Once more, I felt myself transfixed, drawn to him, his perfect blend of masculine and feminine features, his otherworldly beauty. His eyes darkening as they focused on me. He pushed his hair off his shoulder and stepped forward, his movements precise like a hunter. Everything about him shouted predator. “Your grace, you should wear your gift more often,” he said at last. “You know which one I mean.”

“My necklace?”