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He’d changed the subject far too quickly when I’d mentioned Grandfather’s off-realm mission. A mission that now had Dad involved in it as well.

What the shit was going on there?

I sucked in a breath and pocketed my phone in the black and gold coat I’d conjured, that was embellished with rubies. Just how a certain dragon liked it.

Then I teleported—carefully, this time—through Kai’s protective barrier around his and Nyx’s dorm room.

Nyx was already waiting downstairs where Vorzyr would be coming out into the parking lot soon. But, first I needed to speak with Kai.

I materialized in the room just as he was sauntering out of the bathroom.

With just a towel wrapped loosely around his hips.

I swallowed at the sight of all that hard muscle, water droplets dripping down his torso, his hair all wild from obviously quickly towel-drying it.

He pulled up short with a startled curse as he found me suddenly in his room.

“Well, at least you didn’t slam right into my ward and shatter it to hell this time. Definitely an improvement,” he spoke with a wry grin.

Before I could get a word out in greeting, or to respond to that, his gaze zeroed in on my fancy cloak, and he stalked to me. “What are you wearing? I think that might be a little over-the-top for the restaurants around here.”

“Ah, there’s your snobbery come out to play, elite sorcerer, son of the Maven Coven’s finest and fanciest leaders.”

“You mean the very Coven that both your Pops and Mom attended?”

“Pops is far from elitist, and his inclusive and egalitarian approach both in his personal life and with his leadership of the Guardian Movement has influenced my entire family.”

He cracked a smile. “I’m aware. I’m just messing with you.”

“Well, it’s clearly become one of your favorite pastimes.”

He wiggled his eyebrows. “Only one of them when it comes to you, Ari.” He stepped closer and reached for the opening of my cloak, but he didn’t go further than that, and asked instead, “May I?”

“It’s actually probably a good idea that you do before we head out, because I’m gonna need your head in the game. Nyx has already seen it and it took a lot for me to convince him to leave it merely at a look, then to head on to the parking lot to meet Vorzyr, instead of getting caught up in some playtime with me.”

“Fuck me, now I really need to see what’s under this cloak.”

“Have at it,” I said, holding my hands out either side of myself.

“Mmm, I’m enjoying this playful side of you, sweetheart. Much better than what went down earlier.”

“You went too far, Kai, and you know it.”

“Perhaps.”

I started.

He’d actually admitted it. Even him just offeringperhapswas a big deal for him.

I smiled.

“What?” he asked.

“I’m just liking this new agreeable side of you with breaks in your usual stubbornness. It’s another piece to the overall complicated and interesting picture that is you.”

“Wow, that was almost sweet. I’ll take it.”

I giggled. “You do that.”