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“Ok so wow, you weren’t kidding about the poisons.” Mia stared at the array of colorful bottles and blades Tiber had laid out on his kitchen table.

Ilmari was sitting perfectly still, watching them as if he understood what Tiber was doing. Meanwhile, Neptune was sleeping on top of Ilmari’s head. The image was seared in her brain, and she’d be painting it later.

“You should paint those two like that,” Tiber said as he pulled out another bottle.

She blinked. “I was just thinking that.”

As if he heard them, Neptune opened his eyes, turned around in a circle and gave them a view of his butt before he settled back down.

Tiber gave her a look she couldn’t define other than smoldery (was that a word?), then turned back to the bottles.

“This first one will paralyze the intended target, but not kill them. The second will make them bleed from their noses, eyes, mouth… everywhere basically. And then they’ll die.”

She read the labels, nodded, but wondered if she’d remember which was which.

“This one will paralyze someone, but is specifically made for wolf shifters so it packs a stronger punch. There’s silver in it as well as other ingredients,” he said by way of explanation.

“Oh right, the silver thing.” It wasn’t a myth as it turned out. The garlic thing with vampires was bullshit, but it turned out that stabbing a vampire in the heart would kill it, and a lot of beings too. Didn’t have to be a wooden stake.

“This one was created for vampires specifically.” He picked up the pink-colored bottle. “It will paralyze them and eventually kill them. And it has no effect on humans.”

“None at all?”

“None. The first three… those will paralyze or kill anything, with different rates of speed.”

He indicated the pink bottle again. “This one has something in it that targets the blood cells of vampires. I don’t know the chemistry of it, but luckily, I don’t need to.”

“So what exactly do you want me to do, just carry around poison?”

He paused, watching her closely. “Is that something you would consider?”

“I mean… I don’t love it. But Charles also scared me last night.” She wrapped her arms around herself and shivered. “I also don’t think I’ll be able to like… throw this at him or whatever.”

Tiber snorted in amusement, his expression so adorable until it returned to the hard, surly male she knew. “You’ll be more subtle than that.” He moved on to one of the smaller weapons, a knife with an intricately carved blade and handle. Dragons were etched along the handle with incredible detail.

She took it with reverence, running her fingers along the handle. “Whoever did this is a true artist.”

“She is a true master—and you might have met her. Hestia of the Domani clan.”

Mia’s eyes widened slightly. “Yes, of course. I mean, I haven’t actually met her, but I know her name. Her stained-glass work is beyond words. She’s incredible.” She carefully handed the blade back to him.

“I recommend you keep this blade on you at all times. It will be sheathed and secure and will fit in any pocket. I can layer it with poison so it’s ready to go at a moment’s notice. Because if that male attacks, you won’t get a warning and you won’t get a second chance.”

She shivered again. “I… keep telling myself that I’m overreacting—”

“You’re not. Stop doing that to yourself.

Your instinct is probably sharper than mine because of the threats you face on a daily basis as a female and a human.

That male is a menace. I sensed it upon meeting him.

He wants you and he doesn’t want anyone else to have you—and he doesn’t seem like the type to walk away.

He will kill you if he doesn’t get what he wants from you. ”

She soaked in his words, hating that he was right. Hated that her instincts were right, and that she’d ever dated that monster. She should have seen the signs. Ugh. Hearing someone like Tiber validate her fears… “You really sent people to watch over my sister, right?”

He nodded. “Technically, Juniper and Zephyr will be talking to King to set something in motion, but yes. Your sister and friends and family will be protected.”

“Thank you again.” She’d put Charles mostly out of her mind, had been so glad when all the weird stuff had stopped.

She’d figured that he’d lost interest and had moved on.

But after seeing him last night, that look in his eyes, she was grateful for Tiber’s forethought.

“And I’ll take the knife.” Even though she hated it.

He nodded in approval as he set it down. Then he opened the pink bottle and she watched as he took a brush and painted not only the tip of the blade but farther up as well. “It has a shelf life of about two weeks, then I’ll coat it again for you.” He paused. “If it’s even necessary.”

She wanted to ask him what he meant by that, but bit back the question. She could only think of one reason why it wouldn’t be necessary—if Charles was dead.

***

“Thank you for coming with me today,” Mia said to Octavia. “I mean, I know Tiber ordered you to, but I appreciate it.”

“Nah, I volunteered.”

“Really?”

“Yep. I like hanging out with you. You’re a lot saner than the dragons I work with.” Octavia was back in her normal warrior gear today with a fitted tunic, soft-looking leather pants and a couple blades strapped across her back. “And it was interesting sitting in on your meeting.”

“Really? I figured you were bored.” She’d simply talked to her “agent,” aka Xenia.

Mia wasn’t sure she was her agent in the typical sense, but she ran the gallery where Mia showcased her stuff and handled contracts for her.

Something she was incredibly grateful for because Xenia always asked for way more than she would have.

She was consistently telling Mia to ask for her worth.

“Yeah, I like watching Xenia work. She’s terrifying.”

“That feels ironic coming from you.”

Octavia laughed. “She’s terrifying in a different way. But she’s deadly in her own right too. Her older brother trained under me centuries ago and he now runs one of our outer territories. I like her whole family.”

“Well, I’m glad you were entertained.”

“It was interesting to see how you choose commissions too… So if I wanted to commission something, would I go through Xenia or you?”

“Ah, both. What are you thinking you want?”

“I honestly don’t know, but I saw some of the pieces Tiber bought and I can admit, I’m jealous.”

“Where did you see them?” Because Mia had been curious where he’d hung them up. She knew from Xenia that he’d picked them up, but they weren’t on display at his home.

“Oh, at the training center. He’s got one in his office and then another in one of our meeting areas. He’s taking great pleasure in showing off your work.”

Mia felt her cheeks flush with heat. She didn’t think that’s what Tiber was doing but didn’t respond one way or another. She cleared her throat as they passed one of her favorite cafés. “You hungry?”

“I can always eat,” was Octavia’s reply.

Which was pretty standard with dragons. “Good. It’s my treat since you’re giving up your day… and I want to hear all about you and Asa.”

To her surprise, Octavia’s expression shut down as she opened the door to the café.

“Or not,” she said as they stepped inside. “We can just eat sweets and talk about anything else.”

Octavia nodded and when they made it to the counter, she ordered the equivalent of what Mia would eat in two weeks. Then when Mia tried to pay, she shook her head. “No way, this is on Tiber.”

“Nope. He’s not paying for my food.”

Octavia simply looked down at her, then back at Isaac, the owner, as he boxed everything up. “Ignore her, it goes on Tiber’s tab.”

Isaac, owner of The Sweet Spot, winced apologetically. “Sorry, Mia. I’m listening to her.”

She pursed her lips together, but picked up the plate with a delicate mini cake that was the equivalent of a Chantilly cake back home. Sweet and fruity and just what she needed today. “You’re sneaky,” she said as the two of them sat at one of the tables.

Isaac closed soon so there wasn’t anyone here but the two of them. And there were only six tables anyway since most of his business was through pop ins and foot traffic. She’d also heard that he catered high-end parties on occasion.

“I’m a dragon, of course, I’m sneaky. But Tiber made it clear that you weren’t to pay for anything.” Octavia speared a bite of her own cake which was a chocolate concoction topped with gold dragons made of sugar and Mia could only guess what else.

“Wait… like just food?” She eyed the other woman suspiciously.

“Anything.”

She took another bite of her cake and mulled that over as she tried not to groan in appreciation. But come on, it was so good. “You’re a genius, Isaac!” she called out as he cleaned up behind the counter.

“Still not charging you.”

Mia laughed at his dry tone. “I know, but you’re still a genius.

” She looked at Octavia again. “So you’re either going to talk about last night or explain this whole ‘I don’t pay for anything’ nonsense.

What is going on with Tiber? At first, I assumed he was watching out for me because Starlena ordered him to.

And I think that was the reason in the beginning.

Now I’m pretty sure he’s trying to make up for when I overheard the two of you talking about humans.

But paying for everything is over the top, so what gives?

I make plenty of money here and I’m more than financially stable.

He should know, since he bought some of my pieces. ”

Octavia shoved more cake into her mouth and shrugged.

“So you’re not talking?”

Another shrug, then a grin, but just as quickly the dragon moved into action, standing straight up and smoothly stepping in front of her as the bell over the door jingled.

Mia started to ask her what she was doing, then realized it was Charles stepping through the front door.

Just like that, cold slid down her spine and the delicious treat she’d been eating congealed in her stomach.

“Mia,” he said, all politeness as the door shut behind him with a little jingle. He flicked a dismissive gaze at Octavia, then seemed to size her up and smiled politely. “Please introduce me to your friend.”

How about no. “Are you following me?” she asked bluntly in a way she wouldn’t have in the past. She hated that she’d been feeling relaxed and good then bam, he showed up and ruined everything. Ugh. Why couldn’t he simply let her live her life?

“Of course not. I was out for an early evening stroll and saw you through the window. May I join you?”

“We were just about to leave,” Octavia said, picking up the bag of treats she’d ordered, still keeping herself between Mia and Charles.

Charles’s jaw tightened ever so slightly. But then he pasted on the most polite smile for Octavia. “Would you mind giving us a moment to speak in private?”

“No.”

Charles blinked at Octavia’s blunt response.

Even Mia did a double take as she smothered a smile. “You can speak in front of her,” Mia said as she got to her feet. “But she is correct, we were just leaving. I’ve got a few more stops to make this evening.”

“I must confess I wasn’t following you, but I did seek you out. I wanted to apologize for my behavior when we broke up.”

There was no we—she broke up with him—but she didn’t correct him.

“I acted poorly, but in my defense, I’ve never felt that way about anyone before. Not in the hundreds of years I’ve been alive.”

Oh barf, had he been this transparent before and she just hadn’t seen it? She cleared her throat. “Thank you for your apology. I accept it and would like to simply move on. I hope you enjoy the rest of your stay in the realm.” She started to leave when he took a step forward.

“Have dinner with me? So we can talk? Tomorrow evening. You can meet me at the castle.”

She wanted to say no, but there was a glint in his eyes that had her feeling uneasy. Even as she ran her fingers over the handle of her sheathed weapon, she nodded and lied through her teeth. “Ah, sure. Tomorrow sounds good. Now we really must go.”

Octavia stayed in front of her, basically shooing him back as she opened the door for Mia. Only once they were alone out in the cold, fresh air, could she breathe again.

“You’re not going out with that male,” Octavia growled in indignation when they were about two blocks away.

Mia shot her a glance. “No, I’m not. But not because you’re telling me what to do. I’d never planned to go out with him. I’m going to send a message to the castle canceling as soon as I get back to Tiber’s.”

“You should have just said no to him. It sends a stronger message.”

“I don’t need anyone telling me what I should or shouldn’t do,” she snapped with more force than she’d meant to.

“And you don’t have the same lived experiences as me.

I said yes now because I was worried how he’d react if I said no.

He would have either pushed and pushed until he made a scene or he might have done something worse.

I have no way of knowing what his reaction would be, so getting out of there was my main priority.

You’re not a human so you can’t understand what it’s like to be physically weaker.

I have to make decisions like that every day.

Not as much here, but back home? Yeah. I had to make calculated decisions based on how I think those stronger than me will react.

” And she still did it here too, mostly subconsciously.

“Wow.”

“What?”

“You’re right. And I’m sorry for being pushy. Also… I can see what Tiber sees in you,” she said with a grin. “Feisty little thing.”

“Little?”

“Is short better?”

“Oh my god,” Mia said with a laugh. “Neither one! But feisty or sassy are fine descriptions.”

“Noted. And I’m sorry you have to make decisions like that.”

“Me too… If I write a letter to him, will you drop it off at the castle for me?”

“Of course.”

“Thank you… I might have another note for you to drop off if you don’t mind. I know this isn’t your job.”

“I’m doing it as your friend, and, of course, I don’t mind.”

Relief swelled inside her. “Okay, well, thank you again.”

“After I post the letters, what would you think if I invited some people over to Tiber’s place?”

“He won’t mind?”

Octavia shook her head. “Nah, he’s dealing with some stuff, won’t be back until later.”

It would have been nice if he’d told her, but Mia guessed it didn’t really matter. “Is this like a party or something else?”

“It’s games and food. And trash talk.”

“That sounds better than a party.” Because she was skipping the formal meet-and-greet tonight and the party tomorrow. And if she received the response to her second note that she was hoping for, she’d be leaving soon for one of the outer territories for a bit.

Was she running away from Charles to keep things from escalating and prevent him from targeting anyone else she cared about?

Absolutely.

And she was also running away from her feelings for a grumpy dragon who would never see her as a worthy mate.