She’d no doubt realized that if I didn’t release her, she’d never be able to perform magic again.

“Give me your phone.”

She did so. I added my number under an alias, sent myself a text so I’d have her number, then showed it to her. “Anything you send to Seryn you will copy to me separately. Is that clear?”

Another faint “Yes.”

“Good.” I returned the phone. “Go back into your room right now. You are free to move around and do as you wish within the boundaries of my already stated restrictions.”

She turned and left. Once the bedroom door had closed, I glanced at Cynwrig and said, “Who is Seryn Morrisa?”

“Jalvi’s mother, and my aunt on my father’s side. I would have said our families were close, but obviously, I was mistaken.”

Because they’d attacked his sister and poisoned him. I touched his arm. I might well have been touching steel. “I’m so sorry, Cyn.”

The amusement twitching his lips didn’t erase the dark fury in his eyes. That fury wasn’t aimed at me, but I nevertheless felt its chill. “Well, finally.”

I blinked, caught off guard by the comment. “Finally what?”

“You just used my nickname, and that, to me, signifies a definite thawing in our relationship.”

I snorted. “Our relationship cannot, in any way, be described as frosty.”

He pressed a hand against my spine and guided me toward the stairs. “On a physical level, no. In fact, even describing it as deliciously explosive does not do justice to what we share. But emotionally? There’s a definite barrier.”

“Well, yes, because you’re a dark elf prince and I’m a not-too-important pixie, and never the twain shall meet at the altar.”

“That doesn’t mean we can’t have a long and meaningful relationship. You did enjoy ten years with Mathi, did you not?”

“Yes, but that’s different.”

He glanced at me, his expression bemused. “How?”

I waved a hand. “He’s safe.”

He laughed, a sound so rich and warm it did weird things to my heart rate. “I guess ‘safe’ is the last word that could be used to describe me.”

“Yes, indeed.”

The front door opened, and my aunt peeked around. “Can I come back in?”

“Yes, I have her under control.”

“Then you know who she is and why she’s here?”

“Yes.”

When I didn’t continue, she gave me the same sort of look Mom used to bestow when I was being economical with answers, and tears rose again. Damn it, I needed to get these emotions under control. I couldn’t afford to unleash my grief, because I suspected if I did, I might not be able to stop it.

“And?” Riayn snapped, as she marched into the kitchen. “Do not play me for a fool, Bethany. Not when my family is involved in... well, whatever this is.”

I followed her in and quickly updated her on what we’d discovered while avoiding any mention of the Claws.

“Does this mean I can now speak to my daughter—”