“That is very good work,” Iannis praised. “You would make a good spy.”

Elnos shook his head. “I’m much more comfortable in my workshop.”

We descended from the hill, back down into the warded clearing. Frowning, I looked around at the fire pit and tents Elnos and Annia had set up. “Is there going to be enough food?”

“I’m afraid not. I planned on picking some up from the market in town, but I forgot to do so before we left the inn. Annia and I stocked up when we arrived, but we’re out now.”

“I guess we can do that, and maybe snoop around in the local pubs and catch some useful gossip.”

“Try not to get into too much trouble while I’m gone, Sunaya.” Iannis settled his hands on my waist, drawing me close and dropping the disguise. “I want you alive when I get back.”

“I plan to be.” I framed his gorgeous face with my hands and kissed him, hard. His arms banded around me, drawing me tight to him as we savored the moment. Sparks sizzled through my veins, igniting my hunger, and I nipped his bottom lip before pulling back.

“I love you,” I whispered, allowing my gaze to roam over his face. I soaked in every curve and edge of bone in his aristocratic features, every line and dent in his alabaster skin. But most of all, I soaked in the emotion blazing from those iridescent eyes, those impossibly vibrant irises that he inherited from a mythical Tua ancestor long ago.

“I love you.” Iannis brushed a thumb over my cheekbones, then pulled away. “I’ll be back soon,” he said to me, then turned to Elnos. They locked gazes for a moment, some kind of unspoken communication passing between them before Elnos nodded.

And then he disappeared, one moment here, the next gone in a burst of wind and speed.

14

Three days later.

“Sunaya, don’t be foolish!” Elnos hissed from the tree line. “Come back here!”

“No,” I growled, stalking forward. My boots thumped along the dirt path that led directly to the back entrance of the compound. Or, rather, the exit, as it was a metal door sunken into the back of a hillside, with no handle. It could only be opened from the inside, as Annia had discovered when she’d tried to get in this way.

“I won’t let you do this!” Elnos dashed from the trees and grabbed my arm, pulling me to a stop. “Why set off the alarm and risk exposing us, when Lord Iannis will be back any moment now?”