Swiftcurrent Creek All I needed was the last thing I wanted.

“You should know,” he began—and then paused—had it been pride in his brothers eyes, before? Now tampered by reality as the pale man’s ears slid back. He hated this.

“If you think they’re yours, I believe you. But you should know, I also happened upon her during her time…” He knew the other Mayfair would connect the dots. He could only hope that it wouldn’t sway Viinturuth’s sudden pride—nor his sudden claim.

Akavir certainly wasn’t rushing to do it, not the way the more nobler of the two before him was.