“By tonight, all the kindred who were part of the Dark Court will know you can call in your shoes,” Surreal said dryly.

Jaenelle grinned. “Do you think it will take that long?” Then the grin faded. “I thought you were going to stay in Amdarh.”

“I came back to talk to you.” She took a deep breath and let it out slowly—and hoped she wouldn’t see that cold, feral anger leap into Jaenelle’s eyes again. “What’s wrong between you and Daemon?”

“Nothing you can mend.”

Surreal reached out, her fingertips just brushing the sleeve of Jaenelle’s robe. “Talk to me. Mother Night, Jaenelle, the man is eating his heart out because he doesn’t know why you’re pushing him out of your life.”

Jaenelle turned away. “For his sake.” Her voice was a pained whisper. “So he isn’t trapped into staying with a woman he no longer wants just because everyone else expects him to remain loyal.”

“Trapped, my ass,” Surreal snapped. “You’re who he wants. You’re who he needs.”

“He wanted and needed what I was,” Jaenelle snapped back. “But what I am now?” She shook her head.

“Do you still love him?”

“It doesn’t matter what I feel.”

“Of course it matters! You love him. He loves you. Why are you throwing him out of your life?”

“Look at me!” Jaenelle shouted, jabbing a finger toward her chest. “I’m healed, Surreal. Completely healed. But he can’t bring himself to touch me, can’t even bear to hold my hand. Why should he be chained to someone who repulses him when he’s s-so damn beautiful it hurts just to look at him and remember what it was like when he w-wanted . . .”

Shocked, Surreal just stood and stared. Then she shook her head. She didn’t doubt Jaenelle believed what she said, but that didn’t tally up with what Daemon believed.

“Does he know you’re completely healed?” Surreal asked. “And by completely, you do mean completely?”

A gleam of anger flashed in Jaenelle’s eyes again. “I don’t need his pity any more than I need yours.”

“So you haven’t told him.”

“And have him feel obligated to service his former Queen?” Jaenelle smiled bitterly. “I don’t think so.”

Surreal raked her fingers through her hair. Hell’s fire, Mother Night, and may the Darkness be merciful. If Daemon found out that this was why Jaenelle was pulling away from him, he’d explode six times over. And that was only if he retained a measure of self-control.

Dropping her hands to her hips, she sighed. “All right, sugar. Strip. Let’s see what we’ve got to work with.”

Jaenelle stared at her. “What?”

“You heard me. Strip.”

Doubt filled Jaenelle’s eyes. “I don’t think—”