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“Come on. I know you smelled that bakery downstairs.”

XOXOXO

“So how is this Judgement going to go?” Rowan asked an hour later.

They’d run into Anya at the bakery. Apparently, she lived in the house right next door. She had a whole breakfast spread set out for Terra and Phineas whose similarities shone in their state of hung-overness.

It was shocking to see the normally proper earth-dragon in mismatching pajamas, her hair underneath a satin bonnet, blowing the steam out of a cup of coffee, a pair of thick-lensed glasses perched on her nose that fogged up when she got too close.

“We have plenty of evidence from the second attack on Draconis from cameras around the city.” Terra began.

“And the endless statements the citizens have turned into us!” Anya sighed as she poured her own cup of coffee. “They didn’t hold back. They want him dead as much as we do.”

Phineas let out a small groan of approval but couldn’t lift his head. His mate looked more amused than annoyed.

“The initial attack is our weakest point. We have only hearsay. At best, we have circumstantial evidence of his involvement with Elaine. Apparently, a coffee shop downtown caught them on camera when they got coffee together once.” Terra scowled. “If we can get Cherry Young to testify, we think her story will include more details to further condemn him, but she won’t speak. Dae Kang agreed to testify only if Cherry Young does and if he does, maybe his brother can fill in the gaps even further.”

Anya leaned against the island as she sipped her coffee. “Well, he tortured her for weeks. It’s surprising she’s gaining as much traction as she has over the last couple of days.”

Terra nodded her acknowledgement. “At least we have the alphas testifying, Stone will give our story since Alessandro wasn’t present when it happened, your father will give his when Hye iced his whole kingdom and you’re still giving your account of every time you showed up, right?”

The note of trepidation in Terra’s voice surprised Rowan. “Of course.”

Terra winced at Alessandro’s growl of disapproval. “I don’t mean to doubt you, but—we’ve never had to rely on anyone outside of the Thunder to take care of our issues. It’s….”

“Humbling.” Phineas stared up at Rowan through thick, dark eyelashes. “But you’re part of the Thunder now, so if we go down, you go down with us.”

Anya gave him a swift slap on the back of the head. “Why don’t you just fall back to sleep, old man?”

Phineas rubbed the back of his head, pouting up at his mate.

“He’s not wrong, Terra, I won’t let you down,” Rowan said softly, reaching a hand out to her.

Terra smiled and was about to reach out before Alessandro, who had Rowan perched on his lap as she conversed with his family, pulled her away.

Terra rolled her eyes. “Look, when the hard part is over, why don’t you two leave for a week or two? Let Stone try to handle things solo and you two can focus on settling the mark?”

Rowan grinned. “I think a month is more realistic.”

Alessandro let out a sound that reminded Rowan of a purr as he stabbed a few sausages on his fork and brought them to her lips.

“Please, I’m already feeling ill,” Terra groaned, taking another whiff of her coffee to settle her stomach.

Rowan could hardly believe she was sick of them as she’d caught her staring at them more than once with an incredible softness that confirmed Terra loved Alessandro only as a brother.

Anya tsked and brought out a bottle of dark brown liquid with a hint of maroon at its center that Rowan recognized as ambrosia laced whiskey.

“Dear. Have mercy.” Phineas groaned from his daughter’s side, still unable to lift his head from the island.

“The only way to clear a hangover is with the hair of the dog. You two overindulged, so now you must pay the price for not knowing your limit.” Anya’s voice was nearly singing as she poured five shot glasses.

“I knew I liked you.” Rowan beamed as Anya passed her two servings.

“Remind me to never leave you two alone.” Alessandro reached for his glass before Rowan could take both of them for herself. “You’ll drink the kingdom dry.”

Anya’s laugh was joy as she shoved her husband’s and daughter’s share in front of them. “To our new queen consort and our king.”

Terra and Phineas groaned as they raised their glasses, nearly sobbing.