Brent responded as he pulled eggs and bacon out of the refrigerator.

“Tor and Bodi, they’re Banyan and Urijah’s twins, had just graduated college, and our family was gathered here to celebrate.

Most of us were outside when we noticed a red dragon.

There was something wrong with her, and she stopped flying.

Banyan, Urijah, Tor, and Bodi phased and flew up to keep her from falling to the ground.

I felt sick to my stomach, and I knew then she was my mate.

Yari ran toward the group, brandishing a sword.

I focused on Cassi’s dragon, while Yari and my uncles discussed the situation.

If one dragon wasn’t strange enough, Rhoan flew in, ready to roast us all.

Yari talked him down, and we invited them to join the celebration while waiting for it to be safe to return to Evyndral. That’s the short version.”

“If you’ve gone through the portal, why haven’t you met Queen Zarina before today?”

Brent smiled over his shoulder at Elle after digging pans out of a cabinet.

“The portal opens in the woods outside the dragon’s castle.

I’ve only visited once, and that was so Cassi could introduce me to her parents.

I gotta tell ya, meeting a dragon King is nothing like being around Banyan, Rafael, Tamian, or Sebastian.

Not that our Kings aren’t considered royalty, but they don’t stand on ceremony.

King Titus has a throne, and he can breathe fire.

I’ve never been so scared in my life. That was almost four years ago.

Cassi went back and forth often in the beginning, but now that we’ve completed the mate bond, she only visits her parents about every three or four months. ”

Elle sipped her coffee, then cradled it between her hands on the table. “Did King Titus object at all to you two being mates?”

Brent placed bacon in two frying pans on the stove, turned the eyes on, then leaned against the counter, facing them.

“He did. Cassi returned to Evyndral after Zarina let Yari know it was safe to go back. I was only fifteen at the time, and while they were waiting for the all-clear to return, I transitioned for the first time. Uncle Banyan knew what was happening when I felt like I was burning from the inside out, so I had to say goodbye to Cassi, then Banyan sequestered me in his house with him and Uri keeping watch. They sent the younger kids to stay here with my parents until they were sure I wasn’t going to tear up the house.

“Although Cassi agreed to a courting session until I was of age, I figured she changed her mind when she didn’t come back immediately.

It wasn’t a good time for me. Not only was I despondent at her absence, I had to deal with being a Goyle.

It was almost two months before she returned.

Her father forbade her from not only mating with someone from another realm, someone who wasn’t a dragon, but he also didn’t believe her when she said we were fated mates. ”

“How did she convince him otherwise?” Elle asked.

“She didn’t. She went to her great-grandfather and pleaded to his romantic side.

” Brent grinned. “She said if he could start a war with the fae by falling in love with their goddess, why couldn’t she mate with a Gargoyle?

He spoke to King Titus on her behalf, and Cassi’s father finally capitulated.

It probably didn’t hurt that Cassi threatened to leave Evyndral never to return.

” A car door slammed outside. “That’ll be Trin. ”

“Should I help with the groceries?” Anthony asked.

“And have her bite your head off for thinking she can’t carry a few totes? Nah.”

Trinity entered the house through the side door, her arms threaded through the handles of several reusable bags. “What’d I miss?” She plunked the totes onto the counter, blowing a strand of blonde hair off her face. “Where’s Cassi?”

“She and Yari have gone to speak to Mórdrake on Elle’s behalf.” Brent explained everything else while he turned the bacon and Trinity put away the groceries.

Trinity grabbed a soda, popping the top and taking a swig. She let out a belch, and Elle giggled. Trinity winked at her. “I do have manners, just not at home. If you want, you can drop your glamour around us. We’re used to Yari’s ears.”

Since Anthony always saw Elle’s true countenance, he didn’t realize she was glamoured up.

“Thanks.” Elle waved her hand in front of her face. “I’m so used to having to shield myself from humans, it’s second nature to hide my ears.”

Trinity hopped up on the counter close to where her twin was cooking.

“Since I haven’t met my mate, I haven’t transitioned into my Gargoyle yet, but I have a feeling you hiding your ears will be like me having to be careful of my fangs and claws.

I’ve seen this one” — she pointed at Brent with her can — “and our cousins lose their shit more than once. You’d think the gods would’ve figured out a better time than during puberty for full-bloods to transition.

Raging hormones on top of dealing with the change?

No thank you. And Brent meeting Cassi when he did wasn’t the most opportune moment in his life.

Honestly, I’m glad I haven’t met my mate yet. ”

Brent tapped Trinity’s leg, and she hopped down, taking her empty can to the pantry.

Without being asked, she retrieved plates from one of the cabinets, knives and forks from a drawer, and napkins from a holder on the counter, all of which she placed on the table.

The siblings moved wordlessly like a well-oiled machine.

Brent plated the bacon and started on the eggs, while Trinity popped bread into the toaster, then opened the fridge and removed butter and several types of jam and jelly.

“I’ll make biscuits tomorrow,” Trinity said as she buttered the toast.

Brent dumped the eggs in a bowl, and he brought it with the bacon to the table. “Help yourselves.”

Anthony held out the eggs for Elle to scoop onto her plate. “Like I told Brent, you don’t have to go to any trouble.”

“The UrBan gang will expect them. We usually eat breakfast together on Sunday, but since you and Elle were... resting, we postponed it until tomorrow,” Trinity said with a straight face.

Elle gave the bowl back to Tony. “The urban gang?”

“Yeah, UrBan is Urijah and Banyan’s shipped name. Like Brenton and Cassiopa are Brentopa. It’s not as cool as UrBan. You and Elle would be...” Trinity held the butter knife aloft, thinking. “Is Elle short for something?”

“Yes, Elledan.”

Trinity resumed buttering, then brought the plate of bread to the table and sat next to her twin. “That’s even harder than Brent and Cassi.”

Brent took the bowl of eggs when Tony passed them across the table. “Maybe you should let that ridiculousness go.”

“Hey, I didn’t start it. Sienna did. You going to tell our cousin she’s ridiculous?”

Brent pulled the bowl back when Trinity reached for it. “Yes, if it means she stops shipping couples.”

“No, you won’t.” Trinity smirked, and her brother handed over the bowl.

“No, I won’t. But I still think it’s silly.”

“Of course it’s silly, but she’s eleven and thinks Cassi’s the coolest thing since fake tattoos.”

Brent laughed. “That’s because Cassi gives her dragon rides.”

“I want to ride a dragon,” Anthony muttered, and everyone laughed. He turned to Elle. “You didn’t tell me that was a thing.”

Elle shrugged. “I didn’t know it was a thing.”

“Speaking of ink, I noticed Yari had a tattoo on her arm,” Anthony said.

“It’s not a tattoo. It’s a guardian mark,” Brent explained.

“When the guardian takes the oath to protect the dragon with their life, the dragon shares their mark with their guardian. Dragons also pass along a similar mark to their mate.” Brent pushed back his sleeve, showing a vibrant design in a kaleidoscope of colors.

“Imagine my surprise when that showed up on my arm after we mated. Pretty cool since Gargoyles can’t get ink. ”

“Damn, that’s awesome.” Anthony was a little jealous, if he were being honest. With their skin being impenetrable, Gargoyles couldn’t get tattoos.

The four of them chatted about Norway while eating, and once they were finished, Anthony asked to borrow a vehicle. “I’d like to take Elle shopping.”

“Since you aren’t familiar with the area, I’d love to go and show you the best places,” Trinity offered.

“That’d be great. Let me clean up the dishes first.” Anthony knew it wasn’t necessary, but he had been raised with manners.

“I’ve got this.” Elle waved her hands above the table, and all their plates plus the serving platters and utensils disappeared. “I wasn’t sure if you were finished with your coffee, so...”

Trinity gaped. “What a cool fuckin’ bit of magic. I’m so jealous. I don’t even get wings being a Goyle.”

Anthony stood and pulled Elle’s chair out for her. His phone rang, and when he saw Tabitha’s name on the caller ID, he said, “I better get this. It’s Tabby.” He swiped the answer icon, but before he could say hello, his twin shouted, “You asshole.”

Figuring this would take a while, he sat back down. “Yes, I’m an asshole, but you wanna tell me what I did this time?”

“You found your mate and didn’t tell me. Why did I have to hear about this from Carleigh?”

“It’s been a fast twenty-four hours, Tabby.” That wasn’t a lie, but he had been afraid about how she would take the news.

“Tell me all about her.” Tabitha’s demand was warm as was the happiness for him that bloomed through their bond. He relaxed back against the chair and did as she requested.