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My stomach drops. There’s only one reason Illren would be asking that question.
Charlie swallows. “Um, n-no, that’s n-not exactly how it works,” he stammers.
Illren doesn’t let up. He folds his arms and spreads his feet shoulder width apart, as if he’s preparing for a fight. “How does it work, then?”
Charlie loosens up, looking relieved to be discussing a topic he’s confident in. He pushes to his feet and gives the scary winter fey a real smile. “It’s a subtle power of suggestion. I can sense relationships between people and also their potential. If there is a spark there, I can feed the flame. But I can’t just force two people to fall in love if they don’t have it in them.”
Illren nods to this, and then places his hands on his hips. “Do it.”
Charlie and I both blink at him. “Do what?” Charlie asks.
Illren points at me. “Work your magic on Nora and me.”
I gasp.“Excuse me?”
Illren ignores me. “She is being extremely stubborn about the connection between us, and she needs to give in to it. In fact, you need to help her let down her walls between all of her men. She’s losing control of her power because she’s still denying herself all of her physical needs.”
Charlie’s eyes widen as he realizes I haven’t been to bed with any of my men. He studies me a moment and then smiles at me like the cat that ate the canary. “So you’re saying she needs to get laid.”
My mouth drops open.
“Precisely,” Illren says. “And I want to be one of the men she’s intimate with.”
I’m at a loss for words. Complete. And utter. Loss.
Oliver finally jumps into the conversation, scrambling to his feet and pushing his way in front of me as if he’s going to shield me from Charlie’s magic. “Hang on, now. You can’t just magic Nora into doing something she’s not ready for.”
Illren glares at Oliver. “She is ready. She’s just being stubborn.” He turns back to Charlie. “Can you do it, or not? I will pay you, of course.”
Finally, I snap out of my shock.“Don’t you dare,”I warn Charlie. “Illren, you have no right to—”
“You lost control of your power!” Illren snaps. “I will do what I must to ensure your safety.”
Charlie braves stepping between Illren and me. Not very smart, considering we’re about to kill each other. “Whoa, whoa, whoa, everyone calm down,” he says, raising his hands in a placating gesture. He pushes Illren and me even further apart and looks back and forth between us. “I’m not going to force anyone to do anything.”
He gives me a look, making sure I understand and believe him. I grudgingly nod.
“That being said,”he starts again when Illren opens his mouth to argue, “I am a part of this clan now, too, and I’m Nora’s mate.” He looks at me, and his face softens. “I will always want what’s best for you. The thing about being a cupid is I have a unique perspective. Sometimes I know what a person needs better than they know themself. If there is something I can do to bring you closer to the men in your life, then I’ll do it. I won’t be able to help myself. It’s who I am.”
I start to argue, and he cuts me off. “I’ll only ever want you to be happy. I spread love, Nora. I spread joy. It’s not a bad thing.”
I blow out a hard breath. “I suppose when you put it that way…”
Charlie grins and turns to Illren. The fey looks stoic as always, but he’s thinking hard. I can tell. He’s plotting.
“Mr. Kovros?” Charlie asks.
Illren slowly pulls his gaze away from me and looks at Charlie. “Illren, or just Kovros, is fine.”
Charlie nods. “Illren…I will do what I can, but it takes time.”
“What?”I screech.
Charlie surprises me with a rueful look while Illren preens like a smug bastard. “It’s inevitable, Nora,” Charlie tells me, ignoring my scoff. “Illren is not wrong about you. I can see the connection. It’s a medium-size flame, even. I’ve had success with a lot less.”
I scoff again. I can’t help it. I’m being scolded because I won’t admit to having a crush on a psychotic, bloodthirsty assassin. A crush I swear I don’t have! I don’t think. Okay, I’ve been known to live in denial now and then. It’s possible this could be one of those times.
Before I can continue to wage a futile argument, Illren clasps a hand on Charlie’s shoulder. “Come,” he commands. “I will show you the rest of the den. There are three empty bedchambers to choose from.”
