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Tiber glanced up from the sizzling stovetop as Octavia strode into his place.

She wore the typical warrior garb they all preferred, loose pants and a fitted sash around her otherwise loose tunic.

Her inky black hair was pulled back in a tight braid and coiled at her neck.

Though not visible, she had weapons hidden in her hair and in her sash.

“Why are you here?” he asked, turning back to the stove.

“Well, good morning to you too, grumpy-ass.” She made herself at home and went to the cooler to pull out a fruit juice he kept stocked just for her. “I smell the human. Where is she? Or did she already leave?”

“Showering. And her name is Mia,” he growled even as he tried not to imagine Mia in any sort of state of undress. He’d done enough of that last night for a lifetime.

He must have shifted in his sleep, something he hadn’t done in centuries. But his dragon had taken over, had wanted to protect Mia.

And she thinks my scales are beautiful, don’t forget that , his inner asshole reminded him.

Tiber ignored him.

“Ah, I know,” Octavia said. “I didn’t mean anything by it. Apologies. She’s the only human I’ve ever met.”

He just grunted. He knew Octavia didn’t mean anything by calling her a human—she felt as bad as he did for insulting humans in front of her. It still shamed him how callously he’d spoken of his future mate’s kind.

Even if he’d meant the words at the time. Clearly, he’d been wrong, and he still had to make a proper apology. But the few times he’d tried, Mia had shut him down. And Starlena had reminded him that he didn’t have a right to apologize to her if she didn’t want to hear it.

As Octavia snatched a piece of bacon from the plate he’d laid them on, he tried to swat her hand, but she was too fast. “To answer your question, I’m here in place of Cyprus. He had something to take care of.”

She sat at the island, then turned at the same time Tiber did. He’d heard Mia finish her shower not too long ago and had been wondering when she would venture out. Because he needed to see her, to scent her, to just bask in her presence. Being around her settled something inside him.

This morning, she had on a matching tunic and pants set of a fine dark blue material that flowed around her body as she walked.

Unlike warriors who tended to hold their tunics in place with sashes (that also hid weapons and were used for many other things), her tunic fit perfectly, dipping down between her breasts and showing just a hint of cleavage that he shouldn’t be noticing.

“Oh, hi.” She stopped as she stepped into the galley, gave Octavia a cautious look.

“Mia, this is Octavia. She’s one of my people and will be staying here today while I’m gone.”

“Oh.” She cleared her throat. “I thought this place was safe.”

“It is,” Octavia said before he could respond. “But Tiber doesn’t want to take any chances with your safety. Also, can I say something?” Octavia asked.

Mia looked unsure, but nodded as she stepped a little farther into the kitchen.

“I want to apologize for being an asshole the day we… sort of met. I said some shitty stuff about humans and that’s not okay.

There’s no excuse for it. Just me being a judgy asshole.

I’d heard stories about humans and made a stupid judgment based on that.

That’s it. And I don’t think humans are pathetic or anything like that.

I was being mean for no reason at all because I wanted to feel superior and that’s not okay.

And I understand that you don’t have to accept my apology or even be okay with me in your space.

I know that actions speak louder than words, but I wanted to put it out there.

I’m truly sorry.” She paused. “And if you’d rather have someone else to keep you company today, we’ll find another warrior to hang out. ”

Mia blinked at Octavia and to Tiber’s surprise, gave his friend a soft smile. “That’s probably the sincerest apology I’ve ever heard. And I accept it. I’ve made assumptions based on nothing other than rumors myself in the past and I’m not proud of them either. So thank you for your apology.”

Octavia blinked in surprise, but then grinned. “Okay then. I hope we can get to know each other better.”

“Me too.” Mia’s smile was soft and genuine as she took a seat at the island next to Octavia.

Tiber turned away, trying to hide his expression and… was that annoyance he felt? He had tried to apologize to her, but she’d wanted none of it. But Octavia waltzed in here with… a really good fucking apology. Damn her.

You should be taking notes , his dragon purred.

After serving Mia breakfast, he nodded at Octavia to walk with him outside. Once they were out in the cool air, he growled. “What the hell was that?”

She blinked at him. “What was what?”

“That… apology.” He realized how insane he sounded, but couldn’t stop the swell of… what the fuck was that? His chest was tight and he was having that same urge to run his dragon head into the side of a mountain.

She blinked again. Then again. “I don’t understand. Are you asking why I apologized? I’m really sorry, dumbass. I hate that I made her feel bad.”

He sighed, then closed his eyes for a long moment.

“Just ignore me.” He opened his eyes again.

“Keep her safe and don’t allow her to leave my place.

I’m still unsure of the level of threat.

” But he had an idea. Still, he wasn’t certain of the age or power level of her ex.

He’d passed a background check to get into the territory and that wasn’t easy.

“Don’t allow her… as in use physical force?” Octavia gave him an unsure look.

“ No . No physical force. Just convince her that she doesn’t want to leave.”

Octavia nodded slowly. “What’s going on with you?”

“What do you mean?”

“You’re being weird. Even for you.”

“Even for me?” Tiber’s dragon rose up then and he knew his beast was in his eyes.

Octavia raised her palms. “You know what I mean.”

“Expand.” His voice was gravelly as his dragon pushed at the boundaries, desperate to be free. He should simply stay and keep Mia safe.

To his surprise, Octavia grinned and patted his arm. “Never mind, I think I see what’s going on. I’ll see you later tonight.” Then she turned on her heel and headed back inside the front door.

He wanted to go after her. No, he simply wanted to see Mia one more time. To lean down and inhale her sweet scent and then drag her to the mountains where she’d be safe from any threats.

Maybe this was what Octavia was talking about. He frowned, but headed out instead of giving into the primal urge to kidnap his human.

***

“Where’s Tiber? Also, are you hungry?” Mia asked as Octavia strode back in.

The dragon female was probably about six feet tall, strong and a little (a lot) terrifying.

But in the same way all dragon warriors were.

If she really sat down and thought about the fact that the beings who owned this realm could turn into fire-breathing animals, it was humbling.

Especially since this one was model-gorgeous, lean and fit, her entire body a deadly weapon, with long black hair that only showed off a face that gods probably wept over. Mia really, really wanted to paint her.

“He’s working and yes, I’m starving.” She started moving around Tiber’s kitchen in a way that said she’d been here before and was very familiar with it.

A weird tension settled in Mia’s chest. “He just left?” Without saying goodbye? What the heck.

“Yeah, work… stuff.”

“I thought spies were supposed to be good at lying,” Mia said as she took a bite of whatever the heck this was. It was a mix of a bunch of colorful vegetables sauteed with spices and then topped with some kind of light sauce. Whatever it was, it was delicious.

Octavia barked out a laugh and glanced over her shoulder as she piled the same food onto her plate.

But then she added a bowl of fruit and cheese.

“I’m an assassin. Not a spy. Big difference.

” Then she picked up her plate and bowl, her expression contemplative as she moved to sit next to Mia at the island.

“And I guess I’m not retired, but I’m not active anymore. Cyprus and I run the current guard—”

“Guard?”

“Ah, like group. The individuals we train are our guard. It’s been called that as long as I can remember. I think it’s because they’re a guard against outside threats.”

“Have I met any of them?”

Octavia shrugged. “Probably—though you’ll never know it.

And you wouldn’t have met anyone in our current class, but the active guard, sure.

Again, you still wouldn’t know them for assassins.

They’re out and about living their everyday lives blending with their neighbors and sometimes family.

Though to be fair, most of us don’t have family. ”

“Oh. I’m sorry.”

But Octavia waved it away with her utensil.

“Don’t be. The guard becomes our family.

When I was young, I used to wish I knew who my parents were but…

” She shrugged. “If I’d known, maybe I’d never have become who I am now.

Maybe I’d never have seen as many realms as I have.

I’d never have met Cyprus and Tiber, and I cannot think of a sadder thing. They’re the family I choose.”

Mia smiled at the intensity of the woman’s words. But then that weird sensation was back. “Have you and Cyprus ever, ah… is dated a thing here?”

Octavia snorted. “Hell no. And in case you’re curious, I’ve never screwed Tiber either.” Her face twisted up in what was definitely horror.

And Mia hated that she cared. “I didn’t ask.”

“Uh huh. So what’s up with you two?”

“He’s… helping me out right now. It’s probably nothing, but he’s being cautious.” Maybe if she said it enough, she’d believe it. “And let’s not talk about me. I interrupted you before when I asked about the guard. So you’re a retired assassin?”

“Eh, maybe retired is the wrong word. But Cyprus and I run all the new recruits and whenever Starlena or Tiber are out of the realm, we usually run the whole guard. At this point, it’s a well-oiled machine, but we’re the oldest and…” She shrugged.

“Deadliest?” Mia blurted, because she’d always had a hard time censoring herself.

Octavia grinned. “I didn’t want to say it.”

“So what does a semi-retired dragon assassin do for fun? Perhaps… pose for paintings?”

Octavia blinked at her. “Is this your weird way of asking me to pose for you?”

Mia grinned, then speared her last bit of food. “Yes.”

“I would love to… and maybe you can help me with something?”

“Sure. I mean, within reason.” She doubted that Octavia would ask her for tips on killing but still wanted to throw that out there.

Before The Fall in her realm, she wouldn’t have been so comfortable talking about killing or assassins or anything in that category. Those words had never been part of her vocabulary or thought process. If anything, she might have judged.

But she’d seen firsthand the warriors, including dragons and other shifters, who’d protected not only New Orleans, but the world.

The battles had been savage and bloody and she was so grateful for those who’d fought for virtual strangers, who’d bled for her home and kept her and her family safe.

Everything had changed for her after The Fall, and she’d had to sort of recalibrate the way she viewed the world. Or worlds, really. Realms? Hmmm.

“There’s this male who works at the castle,” Octavia said. “I’ve seen you and some other artists talking to him…”