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He was not just dropping clues about who he was, he was practically spelling it out for her.

Valeen bounced her leg under the table. “So, Aunt Evalyn, how’s business?”

“Booming.”

“Has something changed?”

“Yeah, the pale ones aren’t attacking. People are out spending their coin. I’ve even had a few elves in here say they wanted to come to see Layala Lightbringer’s human caretaker.”

“That’s interesting. I wonder why they aren’t attacking anymore?” Hel said, smirking.

“Yes, Iwonder,” Valeen said through her teeth.

“Maybe someone asked the Black Mage very politely to stop them.”

“Or maybe someone did ask nicely, and the Black Mage was an asshole about it and told her she didn’t look goodbegging.”

He licked his lips while he poured the purple liquid into the large mixing cup, stirring the concoction with magic byrubbing his thumb and forefinger together. Then with a flick of his fingers ice balls tinkered into the goblets. “Maybe she wasn’t being very nice to him at that time, but he stopped them anyway.”

“We could go on about ‘maybes’ all day, but we don’t really know.” She gave Aunt Evalyn a nervous smile.

She scowled back.

“Oh, but don’t we? Hypothetically, of course. Maybe it’s because he is in love with thissomeonewho made the request. Maybe he would do anything for her, even if they were enemies.” With a careful hand, he poured the mixture over the ice, then carried them over. He set Aunt Evalyn’s down first, then Valeen’s, then his own.

Before Hel even sat down Aunt Evalyn slapped the rolled-up paper she had kept tucked away onto the table and pointed to the headline of thePalenor Scroll:Is Layala Lightbringer’s True Mate the Black Mage?

It was an old article written by the now-handless and tongueless Telvian Botsberry.Bloody All Mother above.Valeen let out a long breath, picked up the goblet, brought it to her lips, and took a long drink.

“You think I didn’t know exactly who he was the moment I saw him? As if you’d leave Thane for some random elf? I own a bar, Layala, I hear talk. You think I didn’t figure out that the person you were training your magic with was him? Or that the mysterious masked stranger you danced with at the ball, that had everyone talking several months back, wasn’t the man who has wanted you for your powers?” Aunt Evalyn threw her hand toward him. “As if any elf in Palenor has runes and tattoos everywhere besides the Black Mage.” The runes showed clearly on his neck and his forearms. She turned to him with her wild eyes. “And if you were trying to hide it you did a terrible job,Mr.Black. And wasn’t your surnameEverhath?”

She’s done her homework.“You’re not frightened of me at all, are you?” Hel couldn’t hold back his smile, bringing out the dimple on his cheek.

“My daughter is a reincarnated goddess. What would I be scared of?”

“Fair point. Well, I’m afraid you are right, Evalyn. And Everhath was the name of my elven blacksmith father. I really am just a humble elf from a modest upbringing.”

Valeen let out aha.Says the elf with “KING” tattooed across his skin.

Hel smiled and went on, “Although, you were wrong about one thing, Evalyn, I didn’t want her for her powers.”

“Well, I know that because she is no fool! If you only wanted to use her, she’d have figured that out, and the last thing she would have done is marry you!” Aunt Evalyn balked and snatched up the goblet. “Maker, help us.” Then she tipped the goblet back and took a drink and kept drinking.

Hel grimaced. “I don’t know if I’d do that. You said you wanted it strong.”

Aunt Evalyn raised her brows, taking that as a challenge, she finished the drink in under five seconds flat. “I’ve been drinking booze for fifty years. Don’t insult me thinking I can’t handle my liquor, Mr. Black. In fact, I need another, and I’ll get this one myself.” She moved with a bit of a sway back to the bar.

“Gods, you two are more alike than I could have ever guessed. Stubborn, mouthy, and rude. Not a single ‘thank you’ was uttered in there.”

Valeen nearly choked on her own saliva and snapped her head in his direction. “Alright, let’s not?—”

Aunt Evalyn whirled just as she was about to step around the counter, pointing her finger right at him. “Don’t think I won’t toss you out of here like I’d do with any other chump giving me lip in my place.”

Valeen rubbed her temples. Why did she think this would go any other way than terrible?

Hel bit down on his lower lip, obviously trying not to laugh. He tilted his head toward Valeen. “You give this one a run for her money with that audacity. Make my day, I’d love to see you try, Miss Evalyn. I won’t even resist.”

Well, now she had to defend her aunt. “She might not be able to toss you out of here, but I can.”