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“Why does he believe the problem is bad sushi?” Hart asked.

“Because she made it for them and was being sarcastic when she agreed with him. Mulan is quite the cook.”

“Ah... very clever. Is she afraid of having a child?” Jessing asked.

“Terrified... and unprepared,” I said. “But it will be fine. I just need to find a solution that gets the fairies to leave us all alone. Murder contracts and secret pregnancies don’t mix well.”

“Hart has come up with a potential solution. It is somewhat risky but might work to solve the kill-for-power contract.”

I held up a hand. “Hold that thought, please. Let’s talk business after I eat.”

I got up and refilled my cup a third time. I set it on the table before filling my plate with fluffy eggs and little crepes filled with fresh strawberries. I stared at my food for a long while because it looked too perfect to eat.

Then I glanced down the table at the quizzical enforcers when I stopped mooning over my unbelievable life. “Some mornings I pinch myself because I spent seven years in prison. The moment I got out and divorced Jack, all this wonderfulness happened. I tell myself forty is not too old to deal with this level of change, but then I look at Rasmus and wonder if I’m fooling myself.”

“You deserve him and what he brings you,” Jessing said firmly. “You have a good brain to deal with the ancient one’s inquiries and the passion he so obviously needs. That man would sin for you if necessary. It’s in his eyes, Aran.”

I chuckled softly. The caffeine was kicking in...finally. “Has Hart ever sinned for you?”

“No,” Jessing said. “Hart was never a saint and I am grateful for that. I am no saint, either. If we could, we would kill both fairies for you and the other two siblings if necessary. But there are greater things to consider. We must seek another way.”

I nodded at her. “I know. If we killed them, there would be a war between fairies and humans. We don’t want that to happen.”

While they came to terms with my admission, I ate. It might be the last calm meal I had today.

Conn was going to eventually find out about Mulan being pregnant.

And I was going to let the guardians buy a mean horse to genetically alter.

Then somehow I had to come up with a plan that forced Ezra to rethink stealing the stone from my dead body and get the enforcers to agree to help me carry it out.

“Yes,” Hart said. “We figured that a war was what worried you most about your situation. Despite your time in prison, you are still the good magickal we remember. We will not leave until this is resolved.”

“Killing the fairies could have been an option if I hadn’t missed my chance to do it legitimately. But a fairy friend—or one I currently still call a friend—warned me not to kill Ezra. I vaguely knew Ezra was a royal but I didn’t know about his sister. I thought she was masquerading as an ambassador to gain access to my home. Now I know she’s an arbitrator. Henry takes in special guests for secret liaisons. She came in with a very old centaur.”

“Was the centaur handsome?” Jessing asked. “I’ve heard they are very handsome.”

Hart turned to glare at her. “Do you always have to ask that question?”

Jessing smiled and shrugged. “I’m curious because I have never met a centaur.”

I shook my head. “The centaur was large and gruff. I doubt he’ll be talking about what she did to him. He’s too embarrassed.” I laid down my fork. “But Ezra’s sister might tell the world and spin the story to make me look like the bad guy. She could say anything and no one would doubt her.”

“That is true,” Hart said with a nod.

My sigh was loud. “Maybe it wasn’t such a good thing that Mulan froze her before I managed to take her head.” I looked at both of them. “I think I will have to set Princess Lulutha free and drop the charges against Ezra to get through this without dying again. But I really, really don’t want to let them get off unpunished for their crimes.”

Hart studied me over his coffee cup. “You have your guardian now. Why do you care about what happens to the fairy? Are you still seeking revenge for his betrayal?”

“I only care because Ezra killed a bunch of dark witches while turning Hisser into a naga. Goddess only knows how many other beings died for his wicked purposes. He attempted to kill Dylan, who barely escaped. Then he went after Fiona until her angel intervened and stopped him. Before that, he captured Conn and Mulan, and Connnevergets captured.”

“My goodness,” Jessing said, staring at me.

I went right on. “Ezra is an extremely dangerous fairy and has no reason to pretend to be nice to humans any longer. The fairy I knew all those years ago was only someone Ezra pretended to be. It will be hard for me to trust any of their kind going forward. He has misrepresented his people and they’re in denial about him.”

Hart gave me a reassuring smile. “We will find a way to convince him to nullify the contract, Aran. We always find a way to resolve things.”

“Well, I’m hoping to look for one as well. I’d like to get back to my life while I’m still young enough to enjoy it.”