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“Words,” he snapped.

“Casimir,” Wynt warned.

The shadow elf turned to glare at his fellow elf. “I am taking care. This could be a serious security risk.”

“Not if she becomes the next Unseelie Queen,” Piro said quietly.

“I meant for Eldarlan.” He glowered at Piro. “Don’t tell me that she is the heir Greyson has been nattering about for months. The court is going to eat her alive.”

Piro laughed. “No, she is the heir’s fated mate, and if what I experienced is any indicator, the court better beware. With a bit of training, she could become his greatest weapon.”

My stomach soured at his words. “I will not hurt another.”

Whispier—Casimir—ignored me. “Fae manifest mating marks. Where are hers?”

All three of us turned to regard Wynt with raised eyebrows to varying degrees.

“I can only hypothesize,” he protested.

Casimir grunted.

“I haven’t examined her.”

Casimir’s expression grew irritated. “Guess.”

“Her eyes are fae, but her magic is elven—specifically that of the southern elves. My guess is she is more elven than fae. A fluke of being so balanced in her dual-natured magic.”

“Besides,” Piro added. “The heir has mating marks and is acting just as territorial and mildly unhinged as every fated mate I have encountered. The attachment between them is genuine.”

Wynt peered at the shadow elf. “I am more concerned about you, Casimir.”

“Me? Why?” Casimir looked offended. “There is nothing wrong with me.”

“Are you sleeping well?” Wynt asked. “Everything well at home? You have always been taciturn, but right now you are like a bear with a thorn in its paw.”

“Nothing is wrong.” Casimir flinched despite his best efforts to hide it.

My senses flared suddenly, confirming my suspicion. “He lies.”

Casimir flashed me an annoyed glare before avoiding my gaze.

“Ooh!” Piro grinned. “Now the tables are turned. Something amiss with your lady? Is she well? The children?” He narrowed his eyes, but his amusement overrode the playacting.

Casimir groaned. “She is with child again.”

“Truly?” Wynt’s surprise was threaded with concern. “What is this, her third pregnancy?”

The shadow elf nodded. Worry flooded through me from his direction. “Merlon assures me that she will be well, but I wanted a second opinion. Considering your attendance of Lady Lyra during her times, I wished for yours.”

“She will be well,” Wynt assured him. “If Merlon sees no cause for concern, and Lady Veta has assured you, then I am certain all is well.”

“Will you come?” Casimir asked.

Wynt nodded. “Once the succession has been determined and the new king crowned, I will pay a visit to your lady wife.”

Casimir’s relief was almost tangible.

“In the meantime,” Piro said. “What do you know about Twilight elf magic?”