Page 58 of Dragon Blood

The front door whisked open, revealing Bayn, hair tousled, shirtsleeves rolled up with an apron draped over his front. “Princess. Kai.” He gave a curt bow, gesturing them into his foyer.

“I prefer Captain, if we’re going with titles, Prince Bai Yun.” Astred stepped inside with a wink.

The aroma of fresh fish drew Kai inside, making him salivate. “You’re making my favorite.” He slipped his shoes off and stepped into the provided house slides on the landing. Astred did the same, her gaze taking in the modern interior hidden behind the heritage facade facing the street.

Bayn led them into the house. “You’re welcome to settle in the living room while I finish dinner. Aaron’s on his way over, but the TTC is running late again.”

“Nice place. Witch wards?” Astred ignored the plush sofas in favor of the kitchen.

“Yeah, I have a local friend that had a similar spell to what our clerics use back home.”

“Dragon only?” Kai’s gaze swept over Bayn’s prep space. “Need a hand?”

Kai’s dragon cracked an eye open, surveyed the elder dragon prince’s domain, resisting the need to assert himself in Bayn’s space, especially with Astred between them. He was a guest in his old friend’s home, not just a male dragon in another, superior dragon’s inner sanctum. He allowed a moment for the wave of territorialism to pass, while his dragon maintained a watchful eye on the two.

“Rice? Yeah, well, dragons are the only species that have been intensely problematic around here in the last century. Everyone else keeps to themselves. Mostly. Though Aaron mentioned some shifter trouble in Montreal not long ago.”

Kai nodded as he washed his hands, then turned to his assigned task.

“What can I do?” Astred surveyed the spread. “Montreal?”

“Grab that tray.” Bayn nodded as he adjusted the temperature. “Black market dealings. GPSA embedded an agent in the local force.”

“Sounds serious.” Astred brought over the indicated tray of bowls and utensils set on the end of the counter.

“Aaron isn’t driving?” Kai tipped the freshly washed rice, straining it into the prep sink.

“Nah, he likes public transportation.”

“That man is not right in the head.” Kai muttered, setting the rice cooker to heat.

“Loves his trains.” Bayn laughed over the sizzling cloud as he pulled the lid from his pan. “I think he’s tried every light rail and subway system on the planet.”

Kai considered this. “Hong Kong has a good system, though I hear Japan has the best.”

Astred snorted. “New York is an underground string of murder stations. I’d rather take my chances with taxis.

Bayn paused, wooden spoon in hand, “Don’t even get me started on taxis.”

Astred laughed, but the sound of the doorbell cut her response.

“I’ll let him in.” Kai wiped his hands on a towel before heading for the front door. He swung the door open for his cousin, who greeted him with a wide grin.

“Late as always.”

“Hey, gotta make my entrance. How’ve you been, man?” Aaron stepped in, pulling Kai into a solid hug.

“Good. Busy. Dragon drama. How’re the aunties this side of the ocean?”

“Worse; Tiger drama. Constantly letting me know how you’ve neglected them. You should call them now and then. They won’t be happy if you don’t stop over to see them since you’re in the country.” Aaron sniffed the air as he withdrew a bottle of wine, handing it to Kai as he swapped out his shoes for slides. “Sea bass?”

Kai set the bottle on the counter.

“The corkscrew is in the top left drawer.” Bayn waved a hand in the right direction, then pursed his lips as he looked at Aaron. “Just in time to not do any work.”

“I brought wine. My work is done.” He grinned at Astred and swept into a low bow, reaching out to kiss the back of her hand. “Your Grace.”

Kai’s tiger stirred from his nap.

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