He already was, but she didn’t say anything. “It’s not better that Candy is gone and you know it.”

He looked like he was deep in thought but didn’t say anything. She knew that her feelings for Coal had grown by the day. She had let him get under her skin and now she was paying the price. Blaze had also mentioned that Coal had feelings for her. Feelings were one thing, but love. Love was another thing entirely. Love was intense. Love was all consuming. Love was as trusting as one person could get with another. It was scary. More scary than the highest mountain or the steepest cliff. That was falling good and proper.

Julie huffed out a breath. She’d spoken about love earlier like she was an old hand at it. Like she understood it’s dynamics. The truth was, she had no idea. None whatsoever. Did she?

She needed to see Coal. She owed him a chance to explain. She owed it to herself as well.

“Are you ready to go?” Torrent raised his brows.

She nodded once.

“I take it I’m taking you back to the fire prince?” Torrent smiled. Now that she was no longer in fear of life and limb, she realized that he was actually quite a good looking guy. Shifters were gifted with some really good genes.

“How did you know I’d changed my mind?”

“You gave a little smile just now and your cheeks are flushed. I can tell that you were thinking about the male. It seems that you have it just as bad as he does.”

She shook her head, preparing to deny it all but sighed instead.

Torrent laughed and although she first rolled her eyes, she couldn’t help but smile along with him. “Let us go.” He put his hand on her shoulder as they walked towards the balcony.

The double doors leading to the balcony flew open. Glass exploded out as both panes of glass were obliterated. Coal stepped into the wide opening, taking up the whole space. He was a bundle of tension. Every muscle was corded. Smoke curled around him. Small flames erupted from his nose and mouth. His eyes were slitted. His frame enormous, just barely contained within his human skin.

Julie sucked in a breath.

“Get your filthy hands off of my female!” His voice boomed. He’d never looked more alluring. So damned hot, in every aspect of the word, that her mouth dried and her throat worked. His whole stance evoked both fear and excitement and in equal measure.

Torrent took his hand from her shoulder. She couldn’t see him because she was a step behind him. “I’m glad you are—”

His words were cut short by Coal. “Step away from him, Julie. Do it now.” His words were barely understandable.

“No… you don’t…” Julie tried to reason with him. She tried to…