To say that Theodora was a bad sport was an understatement. She stood on the highest peak on the southernmost tip of the island looking out to sea. That Guardian asshole wouldn’t give her the female. Aidan Hearst actually hid her. He’d never cared what she’d done with her captives before!

However, it didn’t matter. He had no control over what she did. Period.

Theodora made a tsking sound. They cannot stay underground forever.

For now, at least there was a ship about five miles from the shore. The people’s voices had drifted to her last night while they were drinking and carousing. It would make a nice diversion.

She disappeared, riding on air until she was close to the yacht. There were three men aboard—two up top, one down below. From where she stood, she used her magic to untie the ropes that held the dinghy in place and set it free. There would be no escaping by that little boat. Not that she wouldn’t get them, regardless. It quickly drifted away.

The men were drinking coffee. She recognized the pleasant aroma. Extending her scepter toward the men, she wrapped them like a package in a clear net. They didn’t know what hit them. She smiled. Giftwrapped for the games.

“You like games, don’t you?” she asked.

The men stared at her, their eyes huge, confused, disbelieving, and full of fear. They pushed against the bonds, climbing over one another trying to escape. The slender, handsome man scrambled on top of the bald man’s head and face, giving him a bloody nose.

Theodora smiled. With a steady hand on her sorcerer’s staff, she opened a porthole to Riam. The blue orb at the head of the staff glowed, showering energy in front of her. She floated the men up through it.

She sighed. She’d grown bored of late with her fighting games. Perhaps it was time to add a new element. But what would up the excitement? She tapped a finger against her chin.

Spectators!

Oh yes. That was it. She would send out some invitations to those she knew in the Dark Realm. It had been a long time since she’d had any company.

* * *

A lengthy silence filled the kitchen as Aidan realized he had a guest for the first time in hundreds of years. Archangel Seth and his delegato were the only people who had been in his home.

“Would you like something to eat?” he finally asked.

Her eyes lit up. “Yes, please. That would be nice.”

He smiled while internally kicking himself. Of course she’d want to eat.

Minutes later, he was in the kitchen digging through the refrigerator to find something he could make. He scrambled a few eggs to serve with some smoked fish and a portion of rice.

“Thank you,” she said with sincere appreciation.

“You’re welcome.”

He looked at her briefly. She lounged at a small table, watching him cook. Her chin rested on the heel of her hand as she leaned over the table. She looked tired. But what had she expected coming to a deserted island?

He scolded himself. She’d been through a lot today. He needed to cut her some slack. “This will be much better than what you had for breakfast.”

She squinted at him. “How would you . . . ?” Her eyes grew rounder, wider, as recognition sparked. “It was you . . . The tiger watching me swim in the pond.”

He tried to hide the wicked smile that tugged at his lips but failed miserably. “It was the best entertainment I’ve had in centuries.”

“Well, this is the only time I’ll probably ever hear that line.” Her mouth pulled up at one corner into a cute lopsided smile.

He raised a brow. “Line?”

She shook her head and glanced down. “It doesn’t matter.” After a beat, she lifted her chin and met his eyes. “Look, tiger or not, you should have walked away and given me privacy. If you were a gentleman, you would have.”

“In case you haven’t noticed, we’re in the middle of a wooded forest, six hundred miles from civilization. There are no gentlemen anywhere near here.”

She laughed. It felt like rain falling after a severe draught. He longed to reach across and touch her hand. Just to see how soft her skin was. Just to feel her pulse beat beneath his fingertips. Just to confirm she was a real, live woman here in his quarters.

While she ate, he noted everything about her—her scent drifting over to him, the way her fork clinked and scraped over the plate, her hair brushing her cheek when she tipped her head forward to take another bite.

He gave a controlled inhale and exhale. Gritting his teeth, he stood and stepped away, taking the now-empty dishes with him. As he cleaned up, he resisted looking back at her and taking in her loveliness.

Alone. Alone. Alone. He reminded himself that was the kind of life he was meant to lead. But for the first time ever—maybe because two of his brothers had recently found their mates—he wondered, just for a moment, that perhaps he might have that same kind of companionship someday.

Swallowing, he shrugged off the foolish thoughts. He couldn’t condemn anyone to the life of solitude that was his existence. But regardless, he wanted to keep her from the clutches of Theodora even more than he had before.

A puppy’s bark brought him out of his thoughts. “Takeshi,” he said. He glanced at Rhianna apologetically. “I forgot about the pup.”

Quickly, he set about rectifying the situation. He headed down the hall, out of sight, and opened the door where he heard the dog. Takeshi sprung out the door immediately vaulting to their visitor.

She allowed the pup to leap into her lap where he licked her face. A soft laugh bubbled from her as she petted the animal.

“Takeshi, off,” Aidan commanded. When he didn’t obey, Aidan went over, removed the pup from her lap, and set him on the floor, repeating the instruction. “I’m sorry. I’ve only had him a few days so he has yet to learn.”

Her smile practically reached her ears this time. “Of course. He’s just a puppy.” She leaned forward and stroked the dog’s head. “Takeshi. I like that name.”

For a second, he thought he glimpsed her genuine personality, free from the worries of her current dilemma.

“It means warrior,” he explained.

“I like it.”

He felt lightness inside his chest, a pleasant hum. “Since I live alone, my dogs aren’t exactly trained to live with people.”

“You have other animals?”

“Only this one right now.”

She scratched Takeshi’s head. “Well, he’s adorable.”

Aidan didn’t say anything, simply watched her interact with the dog. She was enchanting. Could this be the same female who had landed him on his back a short time ago?

With a mental shake of his head, he stood. He had her safe inside his home now.

So what was he going to do next?