"Who are these guests?" Ares demanded as he walked by my side.

"Don't worry- actually," he stopped himself, looking back to meet Ares's eyes with a smug smile. "Do worry. Who knows, I might just end up the favourite in the next few minutes."

I would bet against that.

He turned forwards again as he continued to lead us to the awaiting company. "I ran into them when I decided to go take care of some matters a bit early. The noises and scents coming from your room were far too tempting to dare myself to resist. I haven't had a filling feeding since you've left, mouse, I didn't want to scare you any further. You're already quite skittish." His eyes met mine as he turned around, walking backward. "Less than when you left, but still so full of fear." The corner of his lips lifted. "I could fill you with something else, leave you far better satisfied than last night. Rumour has it your assassin isn't as experienced in bed as he is in killing."

Ares's hands tightened on my waist. My cheeks grew red, falsely feeding into Axel's amusement. If he thought telling me he had slept around more than Ares was going to help him, he was wrong.

"That's alright," I said, trying to mimic his smirk as nerves wreaked havoc in my stomach. "It'll be fun teaching him."

A choked laugh was accompanied by Axels stumble. Zev covered his mouth as he walked beside Axel who had recovered and faced forward again.

I thought I had gotten the last word, but that only last for a few moments.

"Let me know if you need any help. I'm sure I can always give tips and pointers."

My eyes narrowed on the back of his head. I tried to think of something to reply with, but my thought stalled when I felt Ares's lips against the outer shell of my ear.

"I'll be sure to listen closely later when explaining in explicit detail what I could have done better last night, little one."

My face grew even warmer. I wish that was the only place that did.

A loud groan from Axel had me jumping. He didn't say anything, just increased his pace.

I fidgeted with the hem of my shirt, trying to pull it lower even though it fell further than most dresses did. But those dresses usually were accompanied by a neck and chest full of love bites and tangled hair. Not the most presentable attire to greet mystery guests in.

The flick of a lighter drew my attention from the intricately woven carpet I had begun to focus on. I look up to find Axel cupping his hand in front of his mouth as he lit a cigarette placed between his lips. The scent of spices filled the hall as he reached into the pocket of his trousers and pulled out another, offering the white stick to Zev.

The white-haired Fae glanced at it before taking the offering with ease. Zev placed it between his lips, making me frown.

Instead of asking for the lighter that Axel was pocketing again, Zev raised his hand and snapped his fingers silently, producing a small flame. Inhaling deeply, the flame went out as he dropped his hand, the end of the cigarette glowing bright red.

His shoulders relaxed as he exhaled, stress visibly leaving his body with the spiced, white, smoke. My stomach turned uneasily seeing him find comfort in something that my mind could only associate with cancer, despite the scent being completely different. My eyes narrowed when he rose the cigarette again to take another drag.

When Axel did it, I didn't care. As long as I wasn't forced to breathe his clouds, he could smoke a pack a day and I wouldn't bat an eye. Hell, I'd give him a few a day before it was too late and I was bonded to him. I didn't think I could handle any more than I already had. It was already becoming hard to tell me emotions from the others assaulting me, I didn't need to add to the chaos.

But when Zev did it...

Before he could take a third drag, the smoke of his second still leaving his lips, I lunged forward and snatched it from his fingertips with ease. He wasn't expecting it, making it as easy as stealing candy from a baby.

With the still-lit cigarette in my hand, I grew flustered as I realized what I had just done, his surprise radiating through my chest before his end of the bond suddenly shut down.

"Shit," I hissed as I tossed the cherried stick towards the wall, avoiding the flammable material that ran down the center of the hall.

I wiped my hands down my shirt as I stepped back into Ares's side and hoped Zev would ignore what had just happened. I was sure he could conclude it was due to the pounding in my chest that reacted to his decisions. Ares gave me a raised brow but didn't say anything further as he tried to hide a smile.

While continuing towards our destination, Zev looked back at me over his shoulder. I didn't know what to make of the gleam in his eyes, but I didn't get long to examine it. He faced forwards again.

"If you want to set the place on fire, there are far better ways, princess. Plus, they'll do more than just leave some singe marks."

I jumped at the sound of Jaxon's so near. Last I checked he had been following at a distance.

Ares pulled me closer, moving his arm around my shoulders. "She's not as fire-resistant as you, Dragon. Tread carefully."

Though Ares's body grew tense, he said nothing when Jaxon fell into step beside me.

My anxiety grew further with him so near. It was easier to ignore his presence when his arm didn't brush against mine.

"She is to my flames."

I blinked up at him in surprise.

"A dragon's flame can't hurt their mate."

My eyes narrowed on him skeptically.

"You don't believe me?" He seemed genuinely surprised. That in its self surprised me. What reason would I have to believe him?

I couldn't help but snort in response. "No." It was probably another trick. He loved playing those.

"I can prove it. Give me your hand," he said holding his out.

I took an involuntary step towards Ares remembering the pain that came with making contact with Ezra's magic earlier. I wasn't in a hurry to experience that again.

Ares sighed. "You should do it. It'll tell us if our magic is safe for you without causing much damage. If you want, I can test my flames first. If it fails all you'll feel is a slight sting. I'll stop before you get hurt."

"You can make fire, too?" I felt stupid after asking seeing as I had just witnessed his brother produce flames, but it did seem like they all had their own individual set of abilities. I hadn't witnessed Zev use the same smoke as Ares had before.... but I had a feeling he probably had his own sliver or white version seeing as he had one of everything else.

He smiled at me. "My shadows are the abnormity for Fae. Fae have a natural ability to manipulate nature's elements. That includes fire. Here," he said holding his hand out similar to Jaxon.

But unlike Jaxon, I didn't hesitate before placing my hand in Ares's palm.

Out of the corner of my eyes, I could see Jaxon slowly curl his fingers closed and withdraw his hand. For the second time this morning, guilt once again worked its way through my chest. I tried to ignore it as Ares cupped my hand from below as we continued walking without issue.

"Let me know if you feel anything but comfortable warmth," he said while dragging a finger down the center of my palm. My eyes widened when they left behind a small trail of flames and warmth. No pain.

My eyes light up as my lips spread in a grin.

Ares pulled his hand back, pausing for a moment before continuing. "You should let the dragon try."

For a moment I thought I had miss heard him. When he didn't go on to add more, all I could do was look at him in surprise. I could feel Jaxon's shared feelings in the bond.

"What? Why?"

I felt a rush of anger at the suggestion that overrode any guilt I had felt for hurting Jaxon's feelings. Was he sympathizing with him, or trying to get me to accept that he's my mate? There was no reason for him to push me towards him other than those. I wondered if he'd feel the same way if he knew what he had done to me.

"You'll be in for a pleasant surprise."

I almost snorted. No surprise that came from Jaxon was pleasant.

"If he's suggesting what I think he is, mouse, I'd go with it. If his little sparks got you so excited, wait till you see what Jaxon has to offer," Axel added over his shoulder as he lead us around a turn. I didn't realize they were still paying attention to us.

I also didn't realize they were deluded enough to think I'd ever even consider a suggestion they had.

"Trust me?"

I looked up at Ares with a sigh. It wasn't often he asked for my cooperation if he wanted something. He could have made me hold my hand out like he's made me stay still while changing my bandages, but he didn't.

"Fine."

I stopped walking, making the others stop in front of the open doors leading into another room. I hesitated for a moment, glancing at Ares for reassurance before offering my hand. Jaxon's face immediately lit up, his eyes turning a light shade of honey.

He cupped my hand in his before also grabbing the other. Keeping one hand undermined, he held the other up and produced a small sphere of flames that had my lips parting and eyes widening. When he began to move it towards my exposed palms, I began to retreat involuntarily in panic.

Ares place a hand on my shoulder as Jaxon stopped.

"It's not going to hurt you," Jaxon reassured.

He grabbed my hands and placed the ball of fire in the center. I couldn't help but part my lips in awe. Like with Ares, there was only a slight warmth. I expected it to only last a few seconds like the licks of flames that Ares had created, but when Jaxon pulled his hands away, the flames held their spherical shape.

The fire rolled around my hand, over my fingers without breaking form.

"Do you really think it's the smartest to arm her with fireballs when she still hates most of us?" Zev calmly added, not seeming worried.

"Well, I never thought of it like that," I said under my breath as I pictured hurtling one at Zev. Was his hair fire-resistant like me?

"When did you become a fire welder?"

The excited question had my head jerking up at a speed that had my neck cracking. It also had Ares pushing me behind him as he turned to face the source.

"Who-"

I was pushing past him before his eyes could fully focus on the occupants we hadn't noticed in the room we stopped before.

My chest hit Kai's harder than I had anticipated, forcing out a pained groan from each of us as we wrapped our arms around one another. It didn't last long. I was being lifted from beneath my arms, turned, and hugged tight, my cheek rubbing against a rough beard. The faint scent of wildlife told me it was Henry before his deep, rumbling voice could identify him.

"You disappeared on us there, lass. Didn't know what to make of the rumours going around the manor."

The emotions in his voice had me latching on to him even tighter. I felt the warm wetness of a tear, but I couldn't be sure because I was being pulled back by the back of my shirt before I could confirm it. I tried to get a look at Henry's eyes but I was once again being shoved behind Ares.

"Who are these men, Nea?"

"Relax, they aren't a threat," Axel said with an eye roll. "She ran into their arms of her own free will."

"Who are you?"

Ares's eyes narrowed on Timothy as he stepped forward while asking the question. He had been standing a bit farther back, unnoticed.

"He's one of your brothers-in-law," Axel said patting his hand on his back before throwing an arm over his shoulder. "I mean, Nea is like a sister to you two, and a daughter to you, right?" he said, looking at them with eyes that held more warning than warmth. It felt like he was reminding them of their place rather than asking.

At their tense nods, his smile grew as the hostility in his eyes vanished.