“Just Aflora,” the queen interjected. “And it’s fine, Shade. I know this is Cami. She doesn’t need to introduce herself.”
“It’s the formal and polite thing to do,” he drawled.
“Shade? Discussingformalandpolitethings?” a second male asked from behind us. “Have I stepped into an alternate reality?”
I glanced at the newcomer—a tall male with auburn hair streaked with gray and white strands. His burnt-gold eyes flickered with humor as he moved through the threshold to join us outside.
Aflora sighed. “I just wanted to go for a walk with Cami.”
“I thought you were looking for Dragonya?” Shade asked, confirming he’d heard that part of our conversation.
“Yes, that, too.” She arched a brow at the male. “Someonethrew a fireball into my garden, and Dragonya ran off after it. I need to make sure there’s no damage and bring the little familiar back to our daughter.”
“Ah, a fireball, you say?” He stretched his arms over his head, causing his fitted shirt to lift a little around the midsection. Aflora’s gaze followed the action, her cheeks pinkening at the sight of her mate’s muscular form.
I couldn’t say I blamed her—the Midnight Fae was hot. Hell, both of them were.
But Shade was more my type, with his bad boy looks and devilish charm.
Shade’s the one you’re friends with, right?I asked Ajax, recalling the camaraderie they’d displayed during my interrogation.
Yes. Why?
No reason,I lied.
Ajax and Shade certainly had the same vibe. Only, Ajax seemed more dangerous somehow. Maybe it was the Hell Fae influence that gave him that sinister appeal.
“Stop distracting our queen, Shade,” the other male said. “She was in the middle of showing Cami around.”
“And you would only know that if you were stalking me, too,” she replied without missing a beat, her arched eyebrow now directed at the golden-eyed male.
He held up his hands. “I was looking for Shade.”
Aflora’s expression confirmed she didn’t believe that for a second.
And neither did Shade—something his responding snort indicated.
“Zeph wants to spar,” the male added. “So I’m calling in that favor.”
Shade snorted again. “Clever timing.”
“Isn’t it?” His golden irises seemed to glitter despite the burnt coloring. “Better get going. You know how much our former headmaster hates tardiness.”
“All the more reason to be late,” Shade drawled. “Be useful and hunt down Dragonya for our daughter so our mate can focus on the guest.” He vanished into a cloud of smoke before anyone could reply.
Aflora narrowed her gaze at the space he’d just occupied, and I had the distinct impression that she was saying something to him mentally.
If it were me, I’d be telling him I didn’t need anyone doing anything for me.
“Kols,” the other male said, holding his hand out toward me.
I stared at it. “I’m sorry, what?”Kolswasn’t a term I understood.
“It’s short for Kolstov.”
“Okay…”
“His name,” Aflora clarified, helping me to understand.
