“We cannot stay long,” Cassius said into his goblet, though the words were directed to Silvanus, his eyes were on Elena dancing with the women by the fire. “Our party will grow concerned.”

“Ah, but you should let her have a few dances,” Silvanus urged.

Cassius took a sip, tore his gaze from Elena’s supple movements, and looked to Silvanus, noting a number of male Zees were dropping cushions about them in order to join them.

He again looked to Elena.

His intended was still dancing.

She was also smiling.

He turned to Silvanus.

“A few,” Cassius allowed.

Silvanus grinned.

But through it, his eyes were strangely intent.

“I know of lost loves,” he declared abruptly.

The men assuming cushions glanced about each other.

Cassius braced.

Silvanus sat back, drawing a hefty swig off the bottle before he lowered it, his attention now on the dancers.

“I am surrounded by beautiful women. I have been all my life, and this did not change after I found the one who was the only one for me nor did it change after she was lost,” Silvanus said. “When I had her, and then after she was gone, I did not even see them.”

Cassius watched him closely and therefore saw the Zee’s face get soft.

At that, Cass turned his head and looked to the dancers to see the one who had brought him the wine, the one who had showed Elena their dance, was smiling at the leader of the Zees not brightly, not widely, but contentedly.

“Until I did,” he heard Silvanus finish.

Cassius turned back to the Zee.

“I felt guilt,” he said in the direction of his woman. His eyes moved to Cassius. “And then I did not.”

Cassius drew breath into his nose.

“I felt fear,” Silvanus carried on.

Cassius’s chest started burning.

“And then I did not,” Silvanus went on. “I learned. Happiness is very powerful, my man. I understand you fighting it. It is instinct. A protection of ourselves. A defense. Something we men know very well how to do. But as I said, life is for the living. And happiness always wins. You shall see.”

“She’s a warrior,” Cassius reminded him.

“And a good one.” Silvanus also did some reminding.

Cassius turned his attention to his chalice.

“We will speak no more of it,” Silvanus said.

“I would be obliged,” Cassius muttered.

“Except…” Silvanus continued.

Cassius sighed and looked to the man.

“Do not hurt her in your quest to protect yourself. This is important advice, dark prince. A fragile, precious thing broken can never be mended. It will never have the beauty it had when it was whole. Heed this, I urge you. Regardless of what lies in your future, I can promise you, if you listen to my words and take them to heart, you’ll be glad you did.”

He had been cruel to Elena earlier.

Purposefully.

His intent, to drive her away.

Silvanus had heard it.