Tiah turned her attention back to Auslin. “I’m so happy you ditched the asshole you were with. Kio didn’t deserve you. I suppose he ended up with that sad half-wolf shifter?”
“No, but speaking of Maseo, have you seen him around lately?”
“I fucking wish,” Yaro bemoaned. “That pouty, brooding look he always has is sexy as fuck.”
Kitsuki’s eyebrows arched in shock at his reaction.
Yaro noticed. “What, do you disagree?”
The dragon shifter reflexively touched the pendant he protected. “No, Maseo is undeniably handsome.”
“Way too handsome to be with that loathsome piece of shit,” Yaro agreed with a nod.
“He always seemed too nice for that bastard,” Tiah added. “I’m surprised you want anything to do with him, though.”
“Can I make a really weird request?” Auslin asked.
Yaro gave Auslin a seductive look. “You know I’d do anything for you.”
“Except behave,” Tiah said with a snort.
“It’s highly unlikely you’ll see him, but if Maseo shows up in the next couple of days, could you tell him we’re heading to Sybir in Odatam?”
The request surprised Kitsuki. “You wish for him to follow us there?”
“I’d feel better if we could meet him and see he’s okay.” Auslin frowned. “I can’t shake the feeling something bad is going to happen to him.”
“I’m sure the only bad thing that’ll happen to him is he’ll have the misfortune of meeting this fool,” Tiah said, jerking her thumb in Yaro’s direction. “But if we see him, I promise we’ll tell him. I can’t promise Yaro won’t hit on him relentlessly, though.”
“Oh, youknowI will. But do you have to go to Odatam so soon, though?” Yaro asked with a pout.
“I didn’t even get to cook for you yet,” Tiah added.
Auslin sighed. “I’d love to stay longer, but we have some things we need to take care of there. I promise we’ll stay longer the next time we come.”
“You better,” she said with a pout. “Are you sure I can’t go on the journey with you? I would love a break from this bastard and the chance to find a new mate who will love me properly.”
“But who will hit me when you’re gone?” Yaro joked.
“Go get in a tavern brawl for all I care,” Tiah snidely told her husband. “You’re the one who’s always saying you have a line of people waiting to steal you away from me. I’m sure one of those fools would be more than happy to oblige you.”
Yaro hugged Tiah from behind. “But none of them know how to hurt me like you do.” He nuzzled against her neck.
“You are so damaged,” Tiah complained, even as she caressed Yaro’s arm in silent affection.
“Not even Auslin can fix that,” Yaro retorted with a wink over Tiah’s shoulder. “Besides, how can you be mad at me for that when you’re the one who hit me hard enough to give me a brain injury?”
Tiah elbowed Yaro in the stomach hard enough to knock the wind out of him. “Oh, please. You’ve been damaged since day one. That had nothing to do with me.”
Yaro grinned at her. “There’s no denying that.”
Tiah looked exasperated before addressing Auslin again. “I’m so glad you didn’t mate someone as dumb as mine.”
“We should go soon,” Kitsuki reminded his mate. He had a feeling the couple’s antics would carry on well into the night otherwise.
“He’s right. But please know I missed you both so much. I promise next time we’ll stay longer.”
Tiah hugged Auslin again. “Please don’t disappear again.”