"I'm not being generous." Caelir smiled bitterly. "I don't like it either. But Ares, loving someone isn't about owning them. It's about wanting them safe and happy. If Talieran can protect her, if his presence makes those who want to hurt her think twice... then I'll accept it."
"You're blind in love." Ares sneered. "I'm not. I'll break the mate bond with her someday. A woman who wants every guy she meets—"
"Don't talk about her like that." Caelir cut him off. "Ares, I see you as a friend and as Elena's protector. I'm telling you, face your situation and face your own heart."
He paused, staring directly at Ares. "If you really didn't care, you wouldn't have gotten so pissed just now. If you really wanted to break the mate bond, you could've do it when we got back to the Imperial
