Elnora’s parents are who he was talking about. Kellan hadn’t really thought about their relationship. He always got the impression that Sam took it more seriously than Elnora, but Kellan supposed that if Sam had considered meeting her parents, then perhaps the relationship was more serious than he’d originally thought.

‘But she’s not ashamed of you; if anything, she is proud of you, she shows you off constantly.’ Poe squirmed out of his arms with a muffled meow.

‘Only as a way to get back at her parents.’ He folded his arms. ‘Her family hate humans.’

‘If they say anything to you, they’ll have to deal with me,’ Kellan said, opening his navy-blue jacket to reveal a dagger tucked away in its holster.

Sam’s russet eyes widened, giving a lopsided grin. ‘I don’t know if they’re the type of people you should piss off.’

‘They don’t scare me.’

It was true. They were a wealthy family, but their powers weren’t superior; they couldn’t really hurt him unless they wanted to deal with the Queen of Fire and Air.

Circe emerged back in the living room when Agatha left the bathroom.

‘They’re all done. Your breaths are about to be blown away,’ the Green Witch cheered.

Elnora walked out, wearing a silky lilac dress draping just below her knee, trimmed with feathers. Kellan thought it was excessive, but Sam thought the opposite.

‘You’re absolutely divine.’ Sam chuckled, pulling her into a hug.

‘I know,’ she told him, leaving the embrace. ‘Wait until you see Bethan.’

‘Unfortunately, I’m so attracted to you. That I can’t see beauty in anything else.’ Sam started kissing Elnora on the neck. Kellan winced, not used to seeing that kind of affection between couples.

‘You have such a flair for wordplay. It’s incredibly seductive,’ she said, biting her lip.

Circe gagged before placing an arm over Agatha’s shoulder.

A vision of red appeared in the corner of his eye. Bethan emerged from the room she was hiding in. He clutched his chest, grinning.

She was utterly eye-catching. Every part of her. Her dress was a vibrant red with sleeves that billowed. Its skirt made from a tulle, the dress’s top half dawned a V-cut that came down just past her breasts. His mouth thinned to a straight line.

‘Beautiful,’ he said. He wasn’t sure if he was overstepping by complimenting her, but he couldn’t help himself.

‘From the wardrobe of the stylish Jae Elnora Rennigan,’ said Elnora, clapping her hands. Kellan hadn’t realised she was actually going by her middle name that whole time but quickly shrugged it off. He was too distracted by Bethan’s pink-stained lips lifting to give an awestruck smile.