Rhydric huffed. "Says the guy who won't shut up."
A small smile tugged at Ian's lips. "Just don't lose yourself in the process."
Rhydric lifted his glass again, eyes distant. "I already lost something," he said quietly. "I'm just making sure it doesn't cost me everything else."
Silence wrapped around them for a while.
Ian broke the silence first. "You know," he said casually, though his eyes stayed sharp, "this isn't going to end cleanly."
Rhydric gave a short, humorless laugh. "Yeah."
"You're talking like this is already a war."
"It will be," Rhydric replied without hesitation. "The moment word gets out that Azrael's mate is human? That she's loved, and wanted by more than just him?" His jaw tightened. "People won't just watch. They'll test boundaries."
Ian leaned back against the bar. "And you'll step in."
Rhydric's gaze slid to the crowded dance floor, unfocused. "I'm already in."
Ian frowned. "She doesn't even know you like her, does she?"
"No," Rhydric said.
