Page 149 of Elemental Becoming

She narrows her eyes at him, studying him with exaggerated suspicion.

“You know . . . ” she remarks, “Ardyn. Amara.”

Thane’s smile falters.

“Should we be concerned that your type appears to be . . . the first letter of the alphabet?”

“Oh, she’s got you there, brother!” Garrick doubles over laughing, thumping Thane on the shoulder. “I never noticed that!”

“So if another woman named Astrid walks in,” Lyra continues without missing a beat, “should we be worried?”

A laugh bubbles out of me before I can catch it. Gods, I love this woman.

Thane pinches the bridge of his nose. “Lyra . . . ”

“I’m just asking questions,” she replies innocently.

Lyra turns back to me, grabbing my shoulders with startling intensity.

“I can throw her off a tower if you need me to. Just say the word.”

I huff, shaking my head. “I’ll consider it.”

“Anything for you, my dear.” Lyra drops her hands, satisfied.

Thane, still completely unbothered, watches the entire exchange looking entirely too entertained.

“You’re still enjoying this, aren’t you?” I mutter, shooting him a glare.

“Immensely,” he says, voice low and smug. “Didn’t I already say that?”

His fingers brush against my waist again, a touch that feels almost casual.

Almost.

“And . . . ”

He leans in slightly, just enough for his breath to warm the shell of my ear.

“You are jealous.”

I groan.

Lyra cackles.

“So tell me—when Ardyn walked away, did you feel—”

“Lyra.”

Garrick’s voice cuts through, too well-timed to be anything but purposeful. Lyra turns, raising a brow.

“You’re interrupting a very important conversation, my sweet.”

“Oh, I know,” Garrick says, smirking as he steps beside her. “That’s why I’m here.”

She narrows her eyes. “Are you just trying to sweep me off my feet so that I land in your bed tonight?”

“You got me,” Garrick says unapologetically. “But also, I wanted to introduce you to my parents, remember?”