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“You can tell me anything.”

“I…” she went quiet for a few beats. “I made love with Thane. In Ryvengaard, and once when we got back.”

Silence. Dead silence.

Shaking. Her hands were suddenly shaking.

“It didn’t really mean anything. We agreed it was nothing. It was lust mostly, and I think I was just someone to help his loneliness.”

More silence.

Katana wished she could see her sister’s face to at least get some idea of what she was thinking, but she stayed seated on the bench and stared at the wall. “Are you angry?”

“No,” Valeen answered finally. “I’m just… I don’t know what I feel. Was it truly nothing?”

“For his part.”

“Katana,” Valeen sounded almost sad. “You’re hurt?”

“No.” That was the first lie she’d told. “I knew what I was getting myself into.”

The smell of florals and perfume from the bath soap filled the air. “You care about him. I saw it even before you left. Of course, I don’t blame you, Thane is… a beautiful person. I loved him too, and I want him to be happy.”

A tear slipped down her cheek. “I don’t know if I could say Ilovehim. And he made it clear he doesn’t want love.”

“He needs time.”

“You didn’t.”

The water splashed again and this time it sounded like she was getting out. A moment later she popped around the corner, wrapped in a white linen. “I had shed my fair share of tears for weeks. I had months to spend with Hel before I even remembered him. Months to get over Thane. And I fell in love with Hel when we were away and when I remembered everything, it entirely changed the way I thought about Thane. Thane has never loved someone the way I love Hel. Thane and I were forced into a relationship with each other through a spell that his parents ordered. Wehadto fall in love. I don’t know if we would have otherwise.”

“Maybe you wouldn’t have.” Katana sat taller. “Because he didn’t just love you in this life. He loved you in the others too.” Saying that out loud made her realize how much of a fool she wasto have let herself feel anything for Thane, let alone be intimate with him.

Valeen’s blue eyes glittered in the sunlight filtering in through the windows. She pushed her black hair back. “I’m not denying it was real, because it was… we just both changed.”

“How can you be so… nonchalant about Thane and I sleeping together? Does it not bother you at all?” She flinched waiting for the inevitable confession her sister was upset about it.

But surprisingly, she chuckled and started going through her drawers. “It did sort of make my stomach drop when you first said it, but it wasn’t feelings of jealousy. It’s hard to explain, but I was a different person when I loved him.” Glancing over her shoulder, she suddenly grinned. “It sounds a little strange given our past, but I know how good he is, and I know how good you are, and I think you are perfect for each other. And if you were together, we’d all stay close.” She tugged out a black long-sleeved top. “Now, if you went after Hel, this conversation would beverydifferent.”

Katana was grinning. “Oh, I have no attraction to Hel,” Katana said, then raised her palms in defense. “He’s handsome, don’t get me wrong, but he’s—dark. And I’m—not. You know what I mean.”

Valeen laughed. “I do. Oh, and I need to go talk to Presco. He’s no doubt still upset that Hel threw him back out of the underrealm.”

It was fun to think of her and Valeen in relationships with cousins who were as close as brothers, the only problem with that was she didn’t want to forever live in Valeen’s shadow. She didn’t want to be Thane’s second choice, always wondering in the back of her mind if he were given the chance, would he get back with Valeen. That was how she’d felt all her life with Atlanta.

“Let’s go get Presco, eat our fill in the kitchen, and plan something fun tonight. After being in the underrealm I bet you need a stiff drink and some upbeat music. Dancing cures all.” Katana wiggled her hips and stretched her arms overhead.

Valeen smiled. “I know just the place.”

Chapter 43

VALEEN

The sign with a pink Nerium Oleander flower above the door came into view. Valeen intertwined her fingers with Hel’s and paused in the alleyway. Tif scurried up beside her boot and grinned. “Good old Nerium O, but I fear that Katana is a little ritzy for this place.”

“Katanawill like it just fine,” Katana said, and walked up on Valeen’s other side. “It’s charming already.”

It was late afternoon, an hour before opening. The birds chirped in the blossoming trees and humans went about their day, coming in and out of the shops along the street. It was the human district in the city after all. Elves didn’t venture here often. Did the people know that their king came here on occasion?