“Penance for Keris’s death, and the fact that his mother has been quite vocal about how no other female will have him because of his hideousness. As far as his parents are concerned, Dancer has basically been an orphan since Nyk pulled him out of that burning pod.”

“Is that why you’re so protective of him?”

Fain nodded. “My brother’s a strong male. He’s had to be to survive. And he’s not the kind of male to let others see his pain… physical or emotional. Dancer holds everything in. But I know him better than anyone, and I’ve seen the longing he’s had every time he’s around his friends and their spouses, and children. All the times he’s been sneered at by an Andarion female. It’s why he built Eleron.”

“I don’t follow.”

“He wanted to have a female who could look at him without curling her lip in distaste.”

Sumi swallowed against the pain she felt over those words. “Andarion females are morons. Any woman —”

“Sees only an Andarion male. Trust me, Sumi. I know. While they might smile at first glance, the moment they see our eyes or teeth, they cringe and run. It’s really hard on the ego, and much worse than how Andarion females behave. I, at least, have the memory of being sought after by eager females. Dancer never knew that. Not until you.”

She still couldn’t believe that, given how incredibly handsome he was. But then, she knew exactly how superficial and judgmental some people were. While she hated that Dancer had been forced to be alone for so long, she was more than grateful that she was the lucky one who’d won his heart.

“Why are you telling me this?” she asked Fain.

“I wanted you to understand exactly who you’re fighting for tomorrow. How important you and Kalea are to him, and why his parents are fucking dipshits. And while they may sit with the enemy, we will be there for you.”

She placed her hand over his and squeezed. “I love you, Fain.”

“I hope, by that, you mean in a purely platonic kind of way,” a voice growled from behind them.

Laughing, she turned toward Dancer, who eyed them suspiciously. “And how else would I mean that?”

“Good, ’cause I’d really hate to have to kill my brother.”

Fain snorted. “And I’d really hate to die, especially since you still owe me money.”

“I paid you back… didn’t I?”

“Yeah, you did, but I like the doubt in that tone.”