“You’re trying to think of a way to avoid explaining life mates to Allie and admitting she’s yours until you can woo her a bit.”

Magnus glanced up and around from the cup he was rinsing and stared at Stephanie. He wasn’t surprised to find her staring back, her eyes glowing and then fading and then glowing again as she peered at him.

“It won’t work,” Stephanie said when he remained silent and simply waited. “She is already attracted to you and feels unaccountably safe with you, but she won’t trust that or allow it to develop into love. She’s afraid of love after what it did to her sister and mother.”

Magnus was startled at the mention of a sister, but held his tongue again. He knew it was better not to interrupt.

“Stephen’s abandoning Stella and making her flee on her own has not helped either. Allie will not be wooed. She is afraid of what love can do to her, so is afraid to love.”

Setting down the cup he’d been rinsing, Magnus turned off the tap and dried his hands on the dish towel as he turned to face the young woman.

“Except the boy. She has given up everything for him,” Stephanie said slowly. “She does love Liam . . . and would do anything for him.” She paused briefly, and then nodded. “She’ll come to trust and love you in time if you can keep her close, but you’ll have to use the boy to do that.”

Movement to the side drew his gaze to the table. Elvi, Victor, DJ, Mabel, and Alessandro all still sat there and every one of them was watching Stephanie with concern. But the movement he’d noted was the arrival of another couple, who now hesitated in the archway between the dining room and the entry, their attention locked on Stephanie with equal concern. Drina and Harpernus Stoyan. Magnus had met Drina on several occasions, and had known Harper for centuries. He knew they had taken Stephanie into their hearts and home as a teenager, sharing her care with Elvi and Victor while Dani and Decker had hunted for Leonius Livius, the monster who had turned both sisters. They were all family to the young woman now, filling the holes left by losing contact with her birth family.

“Oh, stop looking so worried. I was just giving Magnus some pointers to help him claim his life mate,” Stephanie said suddenly, sounding half amused and half annoyed.

Magnus turned to her again, unsurprised to see that the pulsing glow was gone from her eyes. They were simply a pretty green again and she looked as normal as any other young woman.

“Thank you,” he said solemnly.

“No problem,” she said lightly, and started to turn away, but then paused and swung back to warn, “Don’t let her see the passion life mates enjoy until she agrees to be your life mate and turns.”

“Why?” Magnus asked with surprise.