Sennah ignores Rainer completely, stepping closer to me and lowering her voice. “Does it hurt?”
“Does what hurt?” I ask, puzzled.
“You know.” She wiggles her brows at me. “When he—”
“Sennah!” Rainer’s voice booms. “I will rescind your invitation to my court.”
“So dramatic, Rai.” Sennah rolls her eyes. To me she says, “I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.”
“I’m fine,” I mutter, wanting to put distance between all the unwelcome chaos this morning.
“I should’ve known better,” she says to Rainer this time. “You do enjoy caring for the broken ones.”
My brows raise at that. It’s not a coincidence that a hodgepodge of suffering folk hide away in Rainer’s gothic castle. Is it because he gives us freedom to exist as we are? Or is it because he beats us down and keeps us broken?
Rainer moves forward to stand at my side. When I shrink away, I swear I see a flicker of hurt on his face. He steps aside, too, as if he agrees with putting space between us.
“You’re late, Sennah,” he says.
“Have you already discussed the Ostara plans without me?” She smiles, twirling a lock of hair around her index finger.
“No.”
“Then I’m on time.”
“I’m not arguing about this.”
“Sounds like you are though.”
“You are an incredible pain in my arse,” Rainer mutters.
“Insult me again, Rainer. Let’s see what Eoin thinks of that.”
“I care little about your brother’s opinions.”
Sennah flicks a wrist at Rainer, and at first I think it's just a sign of dismissal, but then his eyes widen almost humorously. He opens his mouth to speak, but no hint of sound escapes. His hands fly up to his throat as he drops to his knees, staring up at Sennah in disbelief.
I have no idea what’s happening, but I think she's magicking him somehow. If that’s even what it’s called. My stomach contorts with fear.
Is she really going to kill Rainer in front of me like this? I don’t care for him right now, but I don’t want him dead.
My eyes dart between the two of them, and before I can think it through, I jump between the pair.
“Sennah, please! Don’t!”
She double-takes at me with a frown. A single brow slowly raises in question, but she obliges and drops her hand.
Rainer gasps for breath, still on his knees, and I bolt to his side. “Are you all right?”
He ignores me, standing and straightening his shirt and running a hand through his hair.
“Feckin’ elemental faerie,” he mumbles.
Sennah laughs, and I see red—fueled by anger—until Rainer chuckles softly too.
“Bastard faerie,” she shoots back. I glance between the two wondering what the hell just happened. “It would be more fun if you’d fight back.”
“Which is exactly why I refuse to.”