Page 32 of Temple of Magic and Bone

"I would never take advantage of him in that way. I'm kind of offended that you would even suggest it, but I understand that you are protective," Elektra said, trying to summon a shred of dignity. Gods, she was so fucking embarrassed.

"Tarael is a demigod. You are the only person outside of the family that knows this. When he comes into his full power, he will be unstoppable. Some females would try to ensure their place beside him before he comes to that realization." Eiline's eyes softened, and she moved to place her hand on Elektra's arm. "If you two really like each other, the mating cycle won't matter in the long run. I just don't want you to hurt him. I like you, and I don't want to have to kill you."

Elektra choked out a laugh. "That's fair. I have no designs on him or his power, Eiline. I just want to do my job and protect the Veil. That's all." A small pain stabbed at her heart as she said it. This changed everything between her and Vanth.

She had to protect herself because she was vulnerable during the cycle. Every part of her was crying out for a mate, whether she wanted one or not.

She had grown up hearing horror stories of females who had gone mad with lust as they had tried to fight it. The cycles didn't always end up with a permanent mate. Some females already had partners they could ride out the storm with.

Elektra had none of that. All she had was a mission and an iron will. There would be no more flirting. No more wound tending or fighting where she would end up with him on top of her. She had to stay focused because if she didn't, she would get them both killed. She already had so much blood on her hands. She wouldn't have Vanth's as well.

19

That evening, they all sat around Flynt's scarred kitchen table, eating the steak and stout pie with mashed potatoes and vegetables that Eiline had wanted her father to make.

It was weird for Vanth to see them interacting together, and it caused a small twinge of jealousy too. How different would his childhood have been if he had someone like Flynt in his life? His mother had never dated; there had been no father figure at any time.

He didn't have the awe and respect for the old male mages like the citadel wanted their students to have toward them, which pissed them off no end. He would always go to the women mages and teachers first before them. They were better at magic anyway.

Flynt had obviously missed Eiline too, and even though the fae lived long, he had been hurt by her absence as well. Vanth had helped him get wood and make food and had tried not to feel like a wide-eyed, intimidated kid the whole time.

Elektra and his mother hadn't found anything useful yet either.

"I know it's in there. I think I just need to be in the room and have some time to search," Eiline said, pulling Vanth back to the conversation. "It will come back to me."

"We can't stay hiding in Faerie. Lazarus could still have some of the reapers alive," Elektra said. She looked at Vanth. All the bright, playful fire he had seen in her eyes in the training room had been snuffed out. He didn't like that one fucking bit. "You should stay here with your family and keep looking for the spell. They want you two, not me. I'll return to Inferno tomorrow and track down where Lazarus is hiding."

"No fucking way. You're not going back there alone," Vanth growled.

"You're not her boss, kid," Flynt said mildly from the end of the table. "Best you remember that."

"I'm not trying to be her boss. I'm trying to be her backup. Mom can stay here and search. I'm no use here," Vanth argued. "I know Inferno. From its dirty underbelly to the top of the shining citadels. A lot of people owe me favors, and it's about time I called them in."

Elektra didn't say anything. She just turned back to her food and let them argue it out.

"If Lazarus gets you, love, he has won," Eiline said. She reached across the table and squeezed his hand. "You understand that, don't you? Us finding the mending spell won't mean a damn thing if you're not alive to cast it."

"I know that, but I won't hide out here when I can be useful. Lazarus doesn't want me dead. Clara was trying to recruit me before his goons attacked." Vanth looked at his mother and grandfather. "You guys aren't the boss of me either. Just in case you needed the reminder."

Flynt huffed out a laugh. "He's as stubborn as you, little flower. Sleep on it for the night, Tarael. Make a decision in the morning when you're clear."

Vanth knew that the argument was over for the time being. He wasn't about to let Elektra out of his sight for a moment. Lazarus wanted reapers for his spells, and Vanth was going to do everything he could to make sure the fucker never laid a hand on her.

Elektra had barely looked at him since she had come into the kitchen. He didn't know what had changed in the time they had been apart. Was she regretting kissing him that badly? Fuck, it was only a kiss and some light groping. She had been into it at the time, so what did he do wrong?

Vanth wasn't going to ask her or try to kiss her again while he was in his grandfather's house. He knew how good fae hearing was. He would wait until they got back to Inferno and then corner her. Or pin her down. Preferably on his bed with no clothes on.

Elektra and Vanth washed up as Eiline and Flynt walked back to the living room to sit by the fire.

"Can I ask you something?" Elektra asked, handing him a soapy plate.

"Sure," he replied. He rinsed it in the scalding water before drying it.

"Why the dancing?" Elektra's cheeks flushed red, and he wanted to kiss them. "When I first tracked you down, I watched you."

"Stalker."

"I needed to see that pendant hadn't led me to the wrong person." Elektra blew a stray curl back from her face as she continued washing dishes. "I saw you dancing with a whole room of shades. I thought that the pendant had really fucked up."

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