Serenna spun the golden tether on her wrist. I need Vesryn to find me before the reavers harm his rangers. Or before Lykor drags me too far across the Wastes. The key dangling around Fenn’s neck was her best chance at freedom.

But she was well aware Fenn would “file his fangs” before he disobeyed an order and removed her manacle—especially for no apparent reason. Except… Serenna studied the lieutenant in his spiked armor. Today he seems to be toeing a line.

Fenn had brought her to one of the crossbow firing ranges after they’d spent yet another fruitless morning and afternoon hunting for the Heart. The open caverns at the base of the volcano crawled upwards, the crevices outlined by jagged stone. A sluggish stream of magma bubbled and churned a winding perimeter, shrouding the chamber in a comfortable warmth. Glowing light from hissing flames scrawled shadows across the rocky walls.

Sore from the endless walking in a new pair of wraithling boots provided by Fenn, Serenna shifted her weight. She was tempted to sit on the ground and rub her feet while enduring his long-winded demonstration.

Obviously, fiddling with these contraptions was his favorite hobby. Well, aside from mingling. And Serenna was past tired of hearing about that Lagoon, so she’d suffer through this. Oddly enough, Fenn’s infectious excitement sparked her interest as he explained the function of every single pin and gear.

“And you crank this lever,” Fenn said, his claw working in a circular motion, winding the cords back until it locked with a click. He strummed the string with a talon before nodding. “The druids left behind schematics of their weapons and we were able to replicate their craftsmanship to create our own.” He placed a gold-tipped bolt into the grooved center channel, aligning the indents in the shaft with the posterior string before offering it to Serenna.

She hesitantly took the loaded mechanism, eyeing the wicked gilded end warily. This tiny arrow really brought Vesryn down?

Turning to Fenn, Serenna asked, “What do I do now?”

Fenn yelped. “Don’t point it at me!” He shoved the front of the weapon toward the wooden targets.

“That’s how you handed it over!” Serenna readjusted her grip. “You’re the one who insisted that I learn how to fire it today.”

“Because it’s past time we did something fun.” Fenn jammed his claws into his trouser pockets. “And you owe me a debt for making me swim across that underground lake yesterday.”

“I wouldn’t consider your floundering to be ‘swimming.’” Serenna released a snort at his expense. “You would’ve drowned if I hadn’t displaced the water for you.”

Fenn shot her a sizzling glare, the magma’s glow catching in his eyes. He scuffed a booted toe on the rippled black ground—dead lava, he’d claimed. “That shoreline was one of the few places we hadn’t searched,” he mumbled, an attempt to defend what dignity hadn’t capsized in the lake.

Serenna’s arms strained with the effort of holding the crossbow. “I didn’t think a big wraith warrior like you would be scared of a little water.” Her gaze glanced off the fang marks on Fenn’s neck—a fresh pair that certainly hadn’t been there the day before. “I figured you knew how to swim since all you talk about is that Lagoon.”

“The Lagoon has me versed in the crafts of pleasure, not this”—Fenn made a wild motion with his claws, poorly imitating what she’d tried to teach him—“swimming.” He smirked. “You would know that if you’d accompany me for once.”

Having already warded off multiple invitations to join him and stars knew how many of his partners at the Lagoon, Serenna sniffed her disapproval as an answer. But her thoughts warred.

She was running out of time to get the key away from Fenn’s neck. But she couldn’t exactly untether herself around so many wraith and have Vesryn appear in the middle of…whatever occurred at the Lagoon.

Aggravation writhed inside of her. On second thought, since the prince probably had the same habits as Fenn, Serenna was sure he’d be delighted to join. At least Fenn isn’t secretive about what he does in his free time.

Hefting the cool metal on the underside of the bow, Serenna asked, “Are you going to show me how to shoot this?”

Fenn reached around her, his dangerous claws surprisingly gentle as they wrapped over her hands. “First, you’ll want to aim it.”

Serenna’s spine locked when his chest nudged into her back. She smothered the impulse to squirm away from the contact. He was making it a point to fluster her since he’d made a fool of himself at the lake.

Lifting the crossbow to her shoulder, Fenn slid her fingers further down the grip. “Press this lever when you’re ready to fire.”

Rattled by her racing pulse, Serenna clenched her teeth, resisting the urge to wipe a bead of sweat gathering on her neck. “Do you get this close and personal with everyone you train, Lieutenant?”

“If they permit it.” Fenn’s chuckle rumbled through her shoulders. “But only the wraith I find attractive.” He skimmed a talon up her arm. “And apparently feisty she-elves who require intimate instruction on weapon handling.”

Serenna bristled, refusing to let embarrassment silence her. “And I suppose you’re the type of male who thinks the way you handle your ‘weapon’ is as impressive as the length of your fangs.”

“Careful, she-elf.” Fenn’s claws tightened against her. “You almost sound interested in finding out.”

Aware that Fenn would only need the slightest encouragement to press any advance, Serenna’s instinct was to skirt away from the dangerous flirtation. How can I be upset at Vesryn for sneaking around with Ayla if I’m hardly fending off someone else’s interest?

The absence of the bond these past few weeks—and being apart from the prince—had dulled the shock of Ayla’s presence. Now Serenna regretted irreparably overreacting. But I wouldn’t have discovered the truth if I didn’t accidentally portal here.

Serenna blew out a breath, calming that flurry of snowballing turmoil. Focusing on the wraith in front of her, curiosity tingled like an incessant itch. She wondered what Fenn found attractive—since his comment implied she was in a different category.

She innocently asked over her shoulder, “So since I’m not a wraith, you don’t think I’m pretty?”

Fenn suddenly squeezed Serenna’s finger over the trigger, yanking her attention back to the firing range. She gasped as the crossbow jumped, the support of Fenn’s chest behind her dampening the recoil. The bolt sailed across the chamber, smacking into a target.

“I think attraction encompasses more than physical features,” Fenn said, releasing her hands to spin a ring in his ear. “But since you’re inquiring about superficial attributes, I suppose you’re not what I’d typically find alluring since I’m more accustomed to wraith.” Serenna turned toward him as he drew another arrow from the quiver at his waist. “For one, you have no height or fangs to speak of.” His gaze swept over her. “And your breasts and hips are rather…exotically proportioned.”

Serenna scoffed, jabbing his ribs with the crossbow. “My figure is simply more human than that of you lanky wraith.”

Fenn cleared his throat, quickly correcting himself. “That’s not to say I don’t appreciate your ample curves.”

Doubting he was making a vicious comment about her body, Serenna fought the urge to laugh at his straightforward observation. “Thank you for pointing out how exotically proportioned I am,” she said while he took the crossbow and then recranked it.

Fenn returned behind her, placing the ready weapon back in her hands. Letting her hold it steady, he loaded another bolt. Serenna glanced back when he remained silent.

He scrutinized her with a serious intensity. “The points of your ears are pleasing.”

“Your compliments astound me,” Serenna said, hopelessly trying to curb the heat racing up her neck. “Is your skill with words what impels everyone to your bed?”

Inhaling sharply, she nearly dropped the weapon when Fenn glided his claws down her ribs to envelop her waist.

“I have a unique skill set for that.” His chuckle was dark, offering no other explanation than suggestively shoving the length of his body against her back, talons scoring into her leathers.

Serenna’s fingers seized the trigger. The bolt launched, soaring clear over the target.

Fenn chuckled, pinching one of her ears. “I like how you turn red when you’re flustered.”

Jolted from the unexpected pressure, a stray nerve shot down Serenna’s spine. She swung the crossbow at Fenn like a club, swatting away his pesky talons.

Cackling, Fenn warped to her other side before the blow connected. “It’s a shame you have no snow drifts down here to catapult at my head with your magics.”

Serenna simmered with irritation. She wouldn’t admit it, but he’d bested her this round. Setting the crossbow on the ground, she trapped the stirrup with her boot and copied his previously demonstrated motion, cranking the lever to restring the weapon.

Glaring at Fenn and then scanning the flames spurting from the volcanic stream, Serenna countered, “Maybe I’ll try to channel that magma and set your leathers on fire. You can’t warp as fast as you think.”

Fenn grinned at her empty threat, eyes sparking with challenge. “Allow me to finish admiring you before you descend into pyromania.” He drew another quarrel from the holster at his hip, twirling the bolt around his talons.

Serenna pursed her lips, thoughts snagging on the sharp edge of guilt. I shouldn’t have encouraged him.

“You dismantle me with the skies in your eyes.” Fenn’s gaze flared as it lingered on hers. “The color reminds me of a glacial waterfall near the outskirts of our fortress. When the moons shine on it just right, it’s a sea of starry ice.” He fidgeted with the arrow before returning it to his holster. “I’d be happy to show you sometime. But there’s more than your features that I—”

“You forgot to mention my fingers,” Serenna interrupted, unsure what to do with the compliments she might as well have blatantly asked for. “They’re longer now since Lykor stole my magic and wraithed me.” Bitterness seeped into her words as she deflected his attraction, brandishing her palm in front of his face. “Do you find them alluring too?”