Page 59 of Dragon Blood

Where Kai expected Astred to bristle at the forward gesture, she laughed as though they were old friends. “Agent Connor.”

“You two know each other?” Bayn’s brows lifted, looking between the two, then shot a glance at Kai, who shrugged.

Wine bottle in hand, he also closely monitored the interaction between Aaron and Astred.

“Nope, never laid eyes on such an exquisite dragoness,” Aaron released her hand with a flourish.

“So, Toronto transit, huh?”

Aaron leaned too close as they dove into light chatter about the city’s public transportation.

Astred looked at him too often, her smile too interested.

Kai’s tiger growled.

“Everything okay over there?” Bayn asked, brows raised.

Kai glanced up to see everyone looking at him.

“Can’t find the corkscrew,” he muttered, thumb swiping at the label.

“Top left drawer.” Bayn tilted his head in the indicated direction, a knowing smile tugging at his lips as he dropped his gaze to the sizzling pan.

Kai retrieved the corkscrew, opened the bottle without issue and carried it to the table where Astred studied him with renewed interest.

Aaron’s eyes twinkled without any effort to hide a smirk.

Kai poured wine into the glasses as Bayn finished up his work at the stove and began plating the food.

“So, Princess, tell me more about this little adventure that has the two of you gallivanting across the continent.” Aaron grinned, leaning toward Astred with his most winsome smile and flirtatious tone.

Kai rolled his eyes at his ridiculous cousin, turning to Astred. “Remember that Bond phase I warned you of? Well, he hasn’t grown out of it yet.”

Astred laughed as Aaron gave Kai a pained look.

“You don’t have to make me look bad in front of royalty, Kai.”

“No, I don’t. You do that all by yourself, cousin,” Kai gave Aaron’s shoulder a bump as he passed him to collect Bayn’s work of art on gleaming china. “This smells amazing.”

“Of course it does. I’ve had centuries to perfect the recipe and adjust to heat methods and changes in seasoning.” Bayn arched a brow as he set the first plate in front of Astred. “Captain.”

“Oh, Captain, is it?” Aaron turned with even more interest.

Astred dipped her head. “Preferably, if you insist on titling me at all.” She leaned over the plate, eyes closed, inhaling. “I’m drooling already.”

“Pirate Princess, I believe someone said.” Kai relaxed as the banter continued to slide to other topics, but his watchful tiger maintained his vigilance with the competition. Picking up his chopsticks, he wrangled his errant thoughts.

Don’t be stupid, Kai.

‘She’s ours,’his dragon stated, cracking that eye open again. The tiger agreed.

She belongs to no one.

‘She just needs time to realize we all belong together.’

Kai drew a long, slow breath before he reached for his glass as Bayn finally settled in after seeing to the last few details. “Shall we?”

“To?”

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