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He smiled, showing off his teeth. “You know it’s my favorite pleasure, putting little shits in their place.”

She laughed and pulled him into a hug.

Maybe I didn’t like her so much. I swallowed the possessive growl building in my throat. Why in the Goddess’ name was I feeling jealousy? I shuddered at the thought. No. I wasn’t jealous, not in that way. Perhaps I was jealous of their easy friendship when every encounter with him was such a challenge for me. But I was annoyed, too. Why couldn’t I have one space I enjoyed? Did he have to taint them all?

I let out a breath and returned my weapon to the rack. “When does the advanced class start?”

“Every afternoon at half past three.” She glanced between Nyx and me, maybe sensing the tension in the room. “I expect you there today.”

“I will be here.”

“So will I,” Nyx added, grinning.

Insufferable male.

“I look forward to it. And Zaria?” Hazel said.

“Yes?”

“Change into your training uniform. They allow you more freedom to move, and I don’t want you damaging your own clothes.”

I glanced down at the clothes Kol had helped me acquire. They were modest, much like what I would have worn at home. There had been so many other choices, but it was comforting, and I was unfamiliar with the styles of this kingdom and these uninhibited fae. But this was my life for the time being. Maybe I could embrace some new ways. I’d always envied my brothers and how they could run in their pants.

“We ordered some uniforms, but I don’t have it yet.”

“That will be dress uniforms you ordered. They have that specially made in the River Kingdom. Have you not been fitted for your training gear yet?”

I shook my head.

She lightly hit Nyx in the chest. “You’re slacking. Take her to the kit stores immediately. I expect you both back here in time for the advanced class.”

“Calm yourself. That’s why I’m here.” He feigned hurt from her blow, and I bristled.

Nyx’s eyes flicked to mine with a look of smug satisfaction, and I immediately realized I had completely forgotten the whole dam in the river thing he showed me. I was broadcasting again, and it hadn’t even occurred to me.

“Jealous, Sol?” His voice slipped into my mind unbidden.

My upper lip lifted in a silent snarl. “Jealous that she gets to stay here while I have to go with you, maybe.”

He sent laughter into my mind but kept his features unaffected.

“Well, off you go, then. You know how slow they are down there. If you don’t go now, they will still be measuring her when the class starts this afternoon.”

Great. Now I had to spend the next few hours with him?

I reluctantly stripped off the pads whilst keeping half an eye on Nyx and Hazel conversing like comfortable friends. I cut my thoughts off before they gave him any satisfaction about the way I was feeling.

Build the dam, Zaria. Stop the flow.

Once I was ready, Hazel bid us farewell, and we headed out together.

“Are you hungry?” Nyx asked when we were halfway down the corridor.

“Hazel told us to go directly to the kit place,” I challenged.

“Relax, It won’t take us long, so we have time to eat first. They will have everything we need on hand.” He scanned over me, but his gaze lingered longer than it needed to.

“Oh?” How would he know such a thing?