“Showoff. You think I should fight for Conn.”
“Of course for Conn. Go for the life you want with him.” Dage’s metallic eyes filled with understanding. “The war is getting worse. We have enemies on every front ... some who used to be our friends. Pick a path, Moira.”
A path? “How easy you make it seem.” Irritation formed a crackling ball of energy before her, and she cupped it with her right hand.
He lifted an eyebrow. “Actually, duty totally sucks. I hate being here, putting on a calm face when I’d rather be smashing someone’s head in.” His tennis shoes left deep indents in the mat as he opened his stance, arms spread out at the side. “Besides, I understand what a pain Conn is. Bossy, so sure he needs to jump in front of us all.”
Her eyes widened, letting in more light. “Exactly. I’m seriously trained. I don’t need anyone leaping to catch a bullet for me.”
“He loves you, Moira.” Deep and sure, the king struck the ultimate blow.
She faltered. The energy webbed in her hand. “No. The marking surprised us both. I’m a duty.”
Dage threw back his head and laughed. “No, sweetheart. You’re a pain in the ass. Conn can handle any duty. You now ... you’re another story. He wants you happy. He wants you safe. I strongly suggest you figure out a way to help him achieve both ... while still following your own path in life.”
The energy pulsed a bright blue, sending shards of adrenaline through her blood. Why did everyone think she had the gift of compromise? Because she was the Seventh? “I have neither the patience nor desire to do so.”
“Then you’ll lose”—Dage shrugged—“which seems absolutely foolhardy ... considering you love him with everything you are.” His legs bunched, shoes dancing on the mat. “You’re both stubborn, smart, and damn good at your jobs. You’ll either make a great team or you’ll kill each other.”
The king didn’t miss a thing.
“You’re such an asshole.” She gulped back air. Probably not something one should call the King of the Realm.
He nodded, his smile broadening. “Not the first time I’ve been called that, Moira.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “I, ah, don’t think you see him. Not really.”
What the hell did that mean? “I see him.” Awake or asleep, she’d always seen Conn.
“No.” Dage sighed, his gaze transfixed on the energy. “I don’t think you understand the meaning of this last century. How difficult it was for him to remain here, to stay away from the one woman created just for him. To stay away ... from you.”
“He signed a treaty.” Even as she said the words, she knew the absurdity in them. Connlan Kayrs cared little for treaties—if at all. “I needed the time.” She’d had to train in the land of her people by the experts.
“I know,” Dage said softly. “But Conn needed you. He’s the ultimate soldier ... and he couldn’t protect or defend the woman he loves—for a hundred years. He rarely sleeps, and I’ve seen him smile more in the last week than the last five decades. Even though he’s been tortured to a point that his organs need to rebuild.”
Her heart thudded. Hard. The glow shifted to a darker blue in her hand. Deep and true. “I know.”
Dage cracked his knuckles. “I, ah, I couldn’t have done it. Couldn’t have stayed away this long. But Conn ... he sacrificed for what you needed.” The king sauntered over and grabbed a towel off the floor to wipe his forehead.
Yeah. But, what now?
She tried not to be insulted the king turned his back on her and the energy weapon. Must mean he trusted her to play fair. She struggled to focus on the discussion. “If Conn had learned I trained as an enforcer, he wouldn’t have waited so long.” The soldier would’ve rushed to Ireland to drag her to safety. Of course, there she was, safely ensconced underground.
“No, nothing would’ve kept my brother from Ireland had he discovered your new vocation.” A gleam shone from the king’s eyes. He threw the towel down, sauntering back into place, centering his stance. “Though you impressed the heck out of him in New York.”
Moira grinned. “That’s nice to hear.” Maybe since Conn had seen her in action, he’d better understand her need to continue with the enforcers. “So your suggestion is to, what? I mean, you have advice, right?” The guy seemed wise. He should have something helpful to say.
“You owe Conn.”
Her head jerked up. “Excuse me?”
“You owe him. He sacrificed for a century, now you need to find out a way to let him be true to his idea of a mate ... while still following your own fate.” Dage widened his stance. “You’re a smart woman, Moira. Figure it out.”
She thought she’d found an enlightened Kayrs man. Instinct whispered the king wasn’t above manipulation to keep the turbulent waters from messing with his family. In which, of course, he now included her.
“You’re all stuck in the Stone Age.”
“You sound like Emma.”
“Your mate is a smart woman.” Moira drew air in, allowing the energy to strengthen. “I figured you’d want to discuss, ah, the Nine’s plans to withdraw from the Realm.” Try to talk her over to his side.
“Hell no.” A smile threatened on Dage’s full lips. “If the Nine withdraws, you’re in a horrible position, darlin’. Nothing you can do about it.”
“But I’ll be a threat to you.” To his entire world.
“Yes, but you’re family. I won’t hurt you.” Dage’s gaze softened. “Besides, Conn handles most of my threats. He’ll make sure none of us get hurt, at least from the Nine’s withdrawal.”
“What the heck does that mean?” While Conn wouldn’t hurt her, he was the ultimate soldier. What would he do?
“I think it’d be better if we didn’t push him to that point, Moira. Just a thought.” The king’s eyes flicked blue through the silver. “Enough talking.” A muscle ticced along his neck, and he eyed the energy ball. “Throw.”
She didn’t need a second order. Yanking her arm back, she belted the energy toward Dage. The ball careened, whacking him square in the chest, shoving him back two feet. A delighted smile lit his face as he peered down, the energy crackling along his front. The smell of burning fabric choked out the air.
He sighed. “Extinguish.” The energy snuffed out like the oxygen had been killed. His shirt lay in burnt tatters, exposing an intricate tattoo wandering across the left side of his chest and over his shoulder. The Kayrs marking in big picture.
“That was very cool. But, I couldn’t let you burn me. That would piss Emma off to no end.” He scrubbed his ribs as if in sudden thought. “Very cool.”
The door shoved open and Katie stomped inside, shoving hair out of her eyes. She skidded to a stop. “Ah, sorry. I came to meditate.”
Jordan stalked in right behind her, a scowl on his face. His multicolored hair streamed around his angled face. The guy even looked like a lion in human form, anger dancing on his skin. “We need to talk. I mean now.”
Dage glanced from one to the other. “Well, then.” He stepped forward and took Moira’s arm. “You go ahead. My sister-in-law and I are going to have a contest to see who can kick a punching bag more times in five minutes.” His grip tightened, and she chose not to argue.
Katie huffed out air. “Thanks.” Had the king and Conn’s mate been sparring? She’d never seen a witch spar. Dage’s shirt had been burned right off his body. Maybe Moira would grapple with her later.
The door closed behind the king, and Katie pivoted to face Jordan.
His growl was entirely too realistic. “What the hell do you mean you’re not coming home with me tomorrow?”
The word home nearly made Katie’s knees buckle. Her home would never be with the leader of the lions. Not unless she could get her shifting abilities back. “I’m staying here. With Emma and Cara.” She needed to remain close to the scientists who would cure her—especially now.