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That brought Alex up short. Until another new voice filled the air, increasing her surprise tenfold.

“You know, when you have a family member in the ISDS, it kind of makes sense to get in touch with them if you plan on meeting with any of the other races.Especiallywhen that person is currently on assignment as a human ambassador for the Flips.”

Alex’s head whipped sideways to see Bear’s brother moving towards them with powerful strides, his light brown hair ruffling in the breeze.

“Blake!” Bear cried, his face paling. “What are—I mean—Uh—” He stopped and then tried again. “You didn’t tell Mum about this, did you?”

“Are you serious?” Blake asked. “She would have grounded you for life.”

Bear waited, and then said, “That’s a no, right?”

Shaking his head—whether in amusement or exasperation, Alex wasn’t sure—Blake moved to Jeera’s side.

“Can someone please tell me what’s going on here?” Alex asked.

“I spoke with Kaiden last night,” Jeera said.

Alex froze, fearing what might come out of her mouth next. But she needn’t have worried.

“I don’t usually let people know what my gift is, for the obvious reasons which I believe you now have some understanding of,” Jeera said, and Alex knew she meant Lena and her long-distance nullifying ability. “While my brother had an uncharacteristic moment of sharing, I’m glad you know, since that’ll make it easier for you to accept when I say I had a feeling you’d be coming out here today.”

Jeera’s words were evasive, yet also telling enough to reveal her intuition had clued her in to Alex’s plans.

“The problem is, as of three days ago, the Flips closed their borders to uninvited visitors,” Jeera continued. “The only humans who are allowed access to the Undersea Islands right now are those who have gone through the official channels to orchestrate a meeting.”

“People like me,” Blake jumped in, “who have a legitimate excuse for actually being there. You know, since it’s myjobto liaise with the other races.”

Alex could have kicked herself. Blake’s work with the Inter-Species Diplomatic Service meant he should have been one of the first people she’d consulted for advice on the other races, but she’d never once considered asking anyone other than her teachers. She realised now how shortsighted she’d been, how unprepared she truly was.

With a pointed look, Blake’s next words mirrored Alex’s thoughts as he said, “You really should have come to me, since I’m guessing you have no idea what you’re doing.”

“We know a bit,” Jordan defended. “Just not… all the bits.”

“Like the bit about the closed borders,” D.C. mumbled, still huddling behind Jordan, for all the good it did her.

Jeera sighed. “I’m not going to drag you back to your parents, Princess. You don’t have to hide.”

D.C. looked torn between wanting to trust the Warden and questioning whether she could. She also flicked worried eyes towards Blake, but he didn’t react to the royal title, showing that he already knew her identity. Hesitantly, she stepped out from Jordan’s shadow and, true to her word, Jeera didn’t pounce.

Instead, the Warden turned back to Alex and said, “Once I realised you were coming today, I asked Blake to make a few holo-calls. He’s organised a meeting with the Clan—the leaders of the Flips—claiming that a delegation of humans have something urgent to report.”

“I’m probably going to lose my job for this,” Blake said, aiming a not-so-happy look towards Bear, as if it were solely his brother’s fault, even if only by association. “Or at least be put on suspension until I can prove it was for a good cause.” His gaze softened considerably as he looked at Jeera, wrapping an arm around her waist. “You’re lucky I think you’re worth the trouble I’m going to face once I get back.”

When Jeera smiled brightly and pushed up to kiss him lightly on the lips, Alex, while surprised by this unknown development, still struggled to resist melting at the sweetness of the moment.

Bear, on the other hand, made a strangled-sounding noise, revealing that he had also missed the memo about Blake and Jeera being… well,Blake and Jeera.

Hearing the sound, Blake turned to his brother with a half grin. “You need to check in with me more often, little bro.”

“I saw you two weeks ago!” Bear spluttered. He waved a hand between the two of them. “How long has this been going on?”

Blake looked thoughtfully at Jeera and answered, “A few months, give or take. But we’ve been keeping it under the radar. I didn’t say anything when we were home for Kaldoras because I didn’t want to risk Mum or Gammy overhearing. Can you imagine?”

Bear’s shoulders relaxed and a hint of a smile touched his lips. “Mum would’ve started designing the wedding dress.”

“And Gammy would have begun experimenting with cake recipes,” Blake said.

Jordan smacked his lips together. “Mmm. Wedding cake made by Gammy. I’m happy to volunteer as a taste tester. Anytime, day or night.”