And yes, she saw Kyla as a threat, though she wasn’t sure why. Sure, Cinn wanted to make love with Dacian. For heaven’s sake, look at the guy. Any woman with a normal hormone level would feel the same way. But she didn’t for a minute think she had ownership rights. Didn’t want any. Talk about grabbing a tiger by its tail. That was what getting emotionally involved with Dacian would be like. How would you let go and survive?

As they joined the group, Cinn offered the other woman a wide smile. Hey, she could be a hypocrite with the best of them.

“Ah, our princess of perverted plants and the demented vampire have joined us. How absolutely thrilling.”

Cinn wanted to knock Holgarth’s stupid wizard’s hat off his head and stuff it into his sarcastic mouth. She offered him her most poisonous smile. “It’s nice to see you again, too. Interview any promising replacements today?”

The wizard pursed his thin lips as he studied her. “No one can replace me, Ms. Airmid. I promise you that. The best I can hope for is a pale reflection of my incomparable powers. The whole interview process is exhausting.”

Eric laughed out loud. Nothing subtle about him. “The only incomparable part of you is your ego. It could swallow a midsize American city. But Cinn and Dacian don’t know you like I do. Underneath all that obnoxious snideness beats a kind and generous heart.”

“Kind and generous?” Holgarth looked horrified. “I can’t believe you hate me so much, Eric. What did I ever do to you? Fine, so I did do a few things that might be construed as spiteful. But why would you feel the need to lash out with such awful accusations?” He managed a hurt expression. “I’m devastated.” He turned and walked away, his robe whipping behind him.

Eric smiled at Cinn. “Remember this when he’s starting to get to you. He hates anyone to think he has a heart.”

“Got it.” She was talking to Eric, but her attention was on Kyla and Dacian. She couldn’t read anything into their expressions.

But jealousy was a master painter. In her mind’s eye, Kyla gazed up at Dacian with those big blue eyes that were the same shade as Eric’s. Must be a Mackenzie thing. Then Dacian ran his fingers through Kyla’s long dark hair before lowering his head to…Cinn took a deep breath. Okay, so the other woman was tall and beautiful. So what? Since she was making up her own scenario, she’d inject herself into it. She’d be the one kicking Kyla’s perfect butt out the castle door.