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When we get closer to the kitchen, the words get easier to make out. And, as I take a step in front of Nora and peer around the corner, my suspicions are confirmed.

“Dearest,” Casimir says, leaning over the counter with a wicked smile on his face. “You get more and more beautiful every time I see you.”

Marta titters and clucks her tongue, but doesn’t do anything to discourage him as she moves around the kitchen, putting some groceries away.

Nora leans forward and tries to get a look, but I put a hand on her shoulder. “It’s just Casimir. I can tell him to leave if you’d rather not have company today.”

Her eyes brighten. “The vampire? I’d love to meet him.”

She strides into the kitchen without waiting for me to answer, and I send up a quick prayer to any gods who might be listening that he’ll behave himself with her.

That, as it turns out, ends up being a completely useless endeavor.

“Ah,” Casimir croons as she walks into the room. “The little human who’s hooked our kraken. Let me get a better look at you, goddess.”

Nora shoots me a glance over her shoulder that clearly says,Is this guy for real?, before continuing on into the room, stopping to stand opposite Casimir at the island.

“It’s nice to meet you, Casimir,” she says brightly.

“‘Cas’ is just fine,” he says with a wink, and then inhales deeply.

Scenting her. I let out a short warning growl and his deep red eyes snap to me, sparkling with amusement.

“My congratulations to you both,” he says. “And may I say, I’m not surprised. With as delectable as this little one smells, it’s no wonder you—”

“Enough,” I say, crossing to stand beside Nora. “Go find your own mate to sniff.”

It’s a small slip, calling Nora my mate when we’re still dancing around the use of that word, but either she doesn’t notice or doesn’t mind as she smiles, rolls her eyes, and gives me a soft elbow to the side.

Good. I hope she gets used to me calling her that. Especially around other monsters, it’s going to be difficult not to.

Part of it is the urge to claim, the primal thing inside of me that won’t be satisfied until the whole world knows she’s mine. The other part of it, though, is pure pride. Pride in Nora, pride that this lovely, strong, beautiful creature belongs to me. It’s a pride that, if and when she ever decides to truly become mine, will probably inflate my already swollen ego to a truly concerning size.

“Is this how you treat guests in your home?” Cas asks, putting a hand over his heart in mock-injury. “With growls and derision? Here I was, expecting a warm welcome and some refreshments after traveling all the way from Boston, only to be so sorely treated.”

“Oh, you great lout,” Marta says from inside the pantry. “You know I already offered.”

Nora studies him for a moment, tilting her head to one side. “Do you eat? Or do you just, ya know…”

She makes a slicing motion across her throat, and Cas is silent for one wide-eyed moment before breaking out in deep, booming laughter. Nora joins him, flashing me a wink in reassurance that makes something warm and pleased take up residence near the center of my chest.

“I do occasionally indulge in a rare steak or a deep red wine,” Cas says through his chuckles. “However, if you’re offering…”

My snarl is only half-hearted as I snake an arm around Nora’s waist and draw her close.

“Help yourself to the wine cellar, bloodsucker, and leave my mate out of it.”

“Beast,” she hisses under her breath at my possessive touch.

“Yes,” I murmur into her ear. “Your beast.”

We’re interrupted from further conversation by the doorbell ringing. I’m not expecting anyone else, but when I hear Travis’s heavy-booted footsteps from the foyer followed by the opening of a door and the murmur of another familiar voice, I want to groan again.

Travis and Blair walk into the kitchen a few moments later, the former shrugging apologetically and the latter grinning to find us all there. When Blair throws a pointed look at Cas, I narrow my eyes at them both.

“You two planned this, didn’t you?”

The dragon and the vampire share another knowing, not at all guilty look, and I’ve got the answer I need.