“I don’t get it.”
“It’s a way of saying I forgive you and it’s forgotten.”
“What do water and a bridge have to do with forgiveness?” he asked seriously, his green eyes the same color as his older brother’s.
“It’s a human phrase,” I replied. “And… I actually don’t know where it comes from.”
“Oh.” His brow furrowed. “I’ll have to look that one up on my next visit.”
“There won’t be a next visit if you keep doing stupid things like attacking your brother with fire for no reason,” I replied.
“I was playing.”
“You were provoking,” I corrected. “I’ve spent the last six months with you, Lance. I know your tells.”
His lips twisted to the side. “Okay. Fine. I was bored and wanted to spar. You and Kalt got to practice all day yesterday, while I helped Cyrus reconstruct stones.” He grumbled the words and rolled his eyes. “I belong in the ring, Claire.”
“All you know is the ring and how to fight,” I corrected. “The whole point of your probation is to learn about other opportunities. You’re a powerful fae. There’s a lot more to the realms than fighting, Lance.”
He stared at me for a long moment. “I want to do something with humans. I want to find what makes them so… resilient.”
Given the human fighting ring he’d played in while in New York, that admission didn’t surprise me. “Then consider joining the Interrealm Fae Council initiative,” I suggested. “There are a lot of opportunities there to work with others on how to hide our worlds and assimilate with humankind, too. And when the academy is up and running, maybe you can teach classes similar to Titus’s, but for all fae.”
His green eyes brightened. “You think I could do something like that?”
“I do,” I replied, smiling at his excitement. “But you have to learn and earn it. Just like Kalt is doing now with his internship.”
Some of his happiness ebbed. “I don’t want to be a politician or an emissary.”
“You don’t have to do that; his role is only one example. Maybe you can join us at the next Interrealm Fae Council meeting to learn about other opportunities.”
He considered it for a moment, then nodded. “I would like that.”
“Good.” I grinned. “Now let’s go see what Titus plans to make. I’m guessing it’s breakfast related.” My mate knew how to make a killer omelet.
“Domestic Titus entertains me immensely,” Lance admitted.
“It entertains me, too.” But for very different reasons.
I turned to find Cyrus’s eyes on me, his icy irises swirling with warmth. I think you just showed all of us up in this nurturing trial, little queen, he whispered into my mind.
He just needs someone to talk to, I replied. I’m happy to be that person for him.
It’s more than that, Claire. He admires you. Not as a mate, but as a role model. And that’s what he desperately needs.
He could use Titus for that, I pointed out.
He’s too stubborn for it, and so is your fire mate, he replied as Exos handed him some ingredients. The two of them appeared to be cooking together rather than individually.
Vox had gone solo, making something with eggs.
Titus was working on an omelet, just like I’d thought, so they shared a space but prepared separately.
And Sol… appeared to be taking a nap at the table.
I eyed him with an arched brow. Sol?
Mmm? he hummed back at me.