"It's so surreal that I sometimes doubt myself," Geneva said, turning to Shelby and Ian, just as Alex added. All of them knew to whom the two were referring, except for Alicia, who looked on confused.
"For all that she had done, I had thought that we would have done something more to her."
Shelby smiled, but it was Ian who answered.
"Oh, she got more than she deserved."
He leaned back with quiet intensity. "When my Elfin metes out punishment..."
His gaze softened, just for a heartbeat, as a doting look flashed in his eyes. There was reverence there, admiration. The Ian in this moment, adored his wife to levels that was incomprehensible to humans and for a moment, that reverence spread through all in the room as their eyes landed on Shelby.
"… believe me, you don't want to be on the receiving end," Ian finished, the warmth vanishing as quickly as it came. "Killing that mer —" he paused, catching himself, then smiled wryly, " —would have been far too swift."
