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She was making a grand effort to avoid eyeing the still-healing puncture wounds on my neck where she’d dug into my flesh with fangs now long hidden. “You are a prince. I suppose you may do as you please.”

Damn the hells. Not exactly the enthusiastic response I’d wanted. “Uh, how are you feeling about going to the House of Tides on the morrow?”

Eeva’s face brightened. “I’m quite grateful Lady Avaline invited me to stay for a time. I feel like the palace is already crowded enough without me lurking about.”

“To Bloodsinger’s chagrin, his palace is often full of folk.”

Eeva’s full lips twitched into a small grin. Gods, finally.

Silence settled again. I’d never been one to be without words around anyone if I wanted to speak to them. Perhaps not as energetic as my twin brother, but I got on fine enough with most folk.

Why I struggled speaking to this woman, I didn’t know.

“Listen.” I made my way for the armchair. “I brought some more books for you. From home. Thought you might find them interesting.”

“Really?” Eeva rose and gently touched one of the spines, then withdrew her hand. “Thank you. That was generous when you didn’t need to be.”

I picked up one of the books. “And I, well, I wanted to speak to you about that, what you did right there. I don’t blame you for what happened in the garden, Eeva. Truly, I don’t. The moment Mira and Tait told us a Veri Ikuinen woman was on Eilifur, I began to read all about your people. I expected it to happen. I was ready for a bit of blood.”

Eeva’s chin trembled. “I just…I cannot stop wondering why you’re all being so generous. I can hardly look at you without imagining me…in such a horrid way. How can you look at me without seeing my blood call features?”

Oh, I did think of those features. The frightening fire in her eyes, the way her body slumped against mine when her mouth, her teeth, took what she needed from me.

Three hells, I was an ass.

I returned the book. “Allow me to show you something.”

Slowly, I blinked. Mesmer magic, for me, was like a roaring wind in the veins. When I opened my eyes again, it was as though I peered at Eeva through an ashen cloud. My eyes would be solid black.

She drew in a sharp gasp, even looked a little afraid. Good.

“All of us have a darker piece, Eeva.”

Her palm pressed to her heart. “Why do your eyes do that?”

I blinked, soothing the storm of mesmer, and cleared the glossy black away. “I turn memories into nightmares. Not very pleasant, is it?”

Eeva tucked another curl behind her opposite ear, glancing at the woven rug beneath us. She seemed unsettled for a breath, two, then she lifted her gaze to mine. “I suppose it is a little comforting to know I’m not the only one with an inner beast.”

“Not even close.”

A small, cautious smile spread over her lips. A smile aimed at me. I nearly stumbled. It took me by such surprise that my chest ached. At peace like this, she had to be the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen.

Good hells, she didn’t need me gawking at her. She needed a damn friend, maybe one who understood a bit of darkness.

“I don’t know if you’ve been told,” I said, “but I’ll be escorting you to the House of Tides. Avaline is a good friend, so I thought I’d join and visit for a while.”

“Oh.” Eeva clasped her hands in front of her body. “Thank you, Prince. For being willing to do so, I mean.”

“Sander. Please, call me Sander.”

“All right.” Eeva tugged on the end of one curl.

“We’re going to keep searching for your clan. Every kingdom is trying to find answers for you,” I said. “But until then, please know you’re welcome here. In any realm. My people would chatter your ears off with endless questions, likely to see how you could help them steal something, but they’d mean well.”

She snickered softly. “I admit, I’d like to visit the other fae kingdoms. They all seem so fascinating—oh, forgive me. You’re not fae.”

“I’m not. I’m much better. Be certain to tell Livia the next time you see her.”