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Dani's eyes widened when understanding hit, and her eyes travelled over them all again, accidentally including Bryon in her assessment. The soldier didn't correct her, just kept his habitual scowl in place, evidently not interested in her company either.
"How in the chasm did you manage that?" the woman asked Maia, almost desperately, like she was hoping for tips.
"No fucking clue," Maia replied with a smirk, but it was a touch tighter than earlier.
Azrail watched his mate in disbelief. There was no way she'd gone from being fully against Isak as her mate to wanting him just because he liked rough sex. No way. Right?
"Well," Dani said, laughing as she opened the door. "Enjoy. But a word of warning about dear Vermillion over there; he's fucked half the city. Don't touch his cock unless you want fleas."
"Youtouched my cock," Isak drawled from across the room.
"You were my only prospect," Dani fired back, stepping outside. "I was desperate."
"Ouch," Maia laughed, smirking at Isak as he crossed his arms over his chest, still leaning against the desk. To look debonair, or to take the weight of his leg?
Isak wasn't particularly affected; he shrugged, the loose sleeves of his white shirt dancing with the movement. "You can't win them all." He pinned them all with a look, his sharp amusement softening when he looked at his brother.
Seeing them so close, they looked so alike. Jaro might have been several years older, but they had the same jaw, the same straight nose and delicate features. Isak's face was roughened by facial hair and his chestnut hair was shorter and rakishly messy where Jaro's was long and red threaded with purple, but they were obviously brothers. The main difference was in personality—Isak's careless amusement and Jaro's serious sensuality.
"What brings you to my little shop?" Isak asked, still watching Jaro.
"You stole the shop," his brother replied, his mouth twitching. "I doubt it's yours, Isak."
Isak shrugged, batting it off. "Same difference. You weren't looking forme—you looked far too fucking surprised to see me—so why did you need a chemist?"
"Not a chemist," Azrail disagreed, but Maia beat him to it.
"A soldier," she corrected, enjoying the way Isak straightened before another grin creased his stubbled face.
Interesting. He didn't want to talk about his job. That probably meant he knew something worth knowing.
"Look, I'm here in this shitty, judgemental city for a reason, yeah?" Isak said, raising an eyebrow at all of them. "To getawayfrom all that bullshit. I have zero interest in getting involved again, so whatever you've come here to say, you can all fuck off."
Smirking and defensive. And afraid, if Azrail wasn't mistaken.
Az took a step forward, keeping his body language casual and easy. "You're Jaromir's brother, so I'll give you a free pass.Afree pass, no more. If you were anyone else, one of us would have you against the wall with our magic and we'd be prying the information out of you."
"Az," Jaro warned, his mouth pinched.
"I'm sensing you're not a bodyguard," Isak said dryly, not taking this anywhere near seriously enough for Azrail’s liking. He was a little shit, an immature kid, and he had no idea what he was embroiled in.
But he’s Jaro's brother,he reminded himself, and let out a breath.
"I'm Azrail Plunaron."
"The Sapphire Knight," Maia added with a different tone to her voice. It took Az a second to realise she was bragging about him, and that cut through his dour mood like a ray of sunlight.
Isak let out a long whistle. "Interesting company you keep, Jaro. What's next, a Qalant rider-warrior and a Sainsan priest?"
"A Sainsan princess," Kheir said under his breath, and Maia stiffened, shooting him a quelling look.
Az rested his hand on her lower back, not liking the sharp slice of emotion through their bond.
"A Sainsan what now?" Isak asked with interest. "Did you say princess?"
His eyes trailed from Maia's head to her feet, and Jaro let out a warning growl, surprising them all. His Jaguar wouldn't takeanythreat to their relationship, it seemed. And he didn't know that Isak was her mate yet. Shit, this was going to be a mess.
"Maia Delakore," she introduced herself, challenging him to make a remark. "Princess of the Vassal empire."
