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“Should I be something other than formal, Valeen?” He wasn’t even sure how to act. He wanted to say that she looked lovely, that he was torn with her here, and to tell her to leave and then ask her to stay. It was confusing.

Valeen folded her arms. “I’m sorry for how I reacted when I saw the ruins. I should have had better control of my emotions. You were right about Synick.” She held out her hand. “I don’t want to fight with you. Truce?”

He shook her hand trying not to smile. That wasn’t why he was feeling the way he did but he appreciated the apology. “I’m sorry for what has become of House of Night, but I will help you get it back. And I don’t want to fight with you either.”

“Friends?” Valeen smiled sweetly.

“Always.”

“I expected to be at my castle and since I’m not, I’ve thought about going to stay with Aunt Evalyn. I know it’s not ideal for me to stay here with Hel.” She pushed her hair behind her ears.

That was an understatement. But he wouldn’t ask her to leave. He blew out a slow breath. “Look, if Hel can live in this castle when it was you and me to make sure you were safe from assassins, I certainly can, and I’ll do it without killing random guards and being an asshole to everyone.”

“Good.” She arched a brow.

“It’s safer if you stay. It’s a big castle and that’s your room. You just won’t find me next door to you anymore.”

“It’s probably for the best.”

“It’scertainlyfor the best.”

Katana reached out and took her sister’s hand, “Have you eaten breakfast?” It was a welcome change of subject.

“Not yet but I am hungry. Have you?”

“We did but I will sit with you. We can talk and have a good time.”

“Just the two of you?” Valeen slipped into a mischievous smile. Katana smiled back as if they had some secret way of communicating. These two together were trouble.

“Just us. But I am sure he would enjoy both of our company for lunch. Or another dragon ride perhaps. Snuggled up between us this time.” Katana giggled and playfully nudged his arm.

Valeen laughed. If turning it into a joke worked to ease the tension in the air, then he’d take it.

“Is this going to be a thing now? Just wait until Hel hears about it,” Thane grumbled, even though he liked this playful banter more than awkwardness between them.

“He would not get angry with you will he, Val?” She suddenly looked nervous and started pawing at her hair. “Maybe we should not tease Thane anymore. If Hel loses his temper with you…”

Her eyes narrowed slightly. “If either of us has a temper it’s me, and he wouldn’t hurt me if that’s what you’re worried about. Hel loves to get a rise out of people more than anyone.”

“He’s actually fanatical about keeping her safe,” Thane added, but he wondered if she heard rumors about things Hel had done or if there was another reason she would think that. His mind drifted to her former husband. Maybe the reason she didn’t want Atlanta to know she was alive went deeper.

Out of the corner of his eye, a guard approached with a letter in hand. “Excuse me, ladies.” He took a few steps away from Katana and Valeen and held out his hand.

“Sire, a letter from the woodland elves.”

He recognized the green seal on the back and tore it open. One thing he had not kept a close eye on were his old rivals. He still hadn’t met the new Lord of Calladira and it had been half a year since he killed Lord Brunard in his manor. His spies reported the new ruler was a cousin of Lord Brunard’s, but not much else was known about him. They’d kept themselveslocked up tightly while the pale ones roamed free. He’d been too preoccupied with Hel, the pale ones, and a demon prince terrorizing his land to bother with the woodland elves.

The last time Calladira was supposedly coming it was only Hel playing a trick.

High King Thane Athayel,

The new lord of Calladira, Lord Maelus, requests an audience with the High King of Palenor at Castle Dredwich for your convenience. Please respond with a desired date.

Lord Maelus

The name sounded familiar though he couldn’t remember why. No details in the letter as to why he would request an audience was odd. They usually included a reason—talk of opening trade, or more often than he liked, land boundary discrepancies. Without prior permission, High Elves caught roaming on their land were considered trespassing. But times had changed with the Black Mage awake, and more than likely it was to discuss that particular problem. Their new lord would faint to know he now roamed about Castle Dredwich freely and as an ally.

Thane shovedthe letter into Hel’s chest and then dropped onto his throne. “This better not be you again.” The sun shone down from the high windows casting an ethereal light, even making Hel look less sinister. He’d eased up on the black cloaks and kept his rune tattoos covered except for those on his hands but often he wore fingerless gloves to not raise questions. Surprisingly he’d become well-liked among the staff. The males thought hewas suave and even funny, while the females whispered about his handsome face and air of mystery.