"So you lived in that city dome your whole life?" Cinira sounded completely aghast at the thought.

"Yes," I confirmed. "It wasn't that bad. I had access to the sun when I needed it and I make a living."

"With a carrier service," she repeated.

"Yes."

She sighed.

"What?"

"Nothing," she said quickly. "It's just...so...phoenix of you."

I raised a brow and glanced over at her. "I'm technically more phoenix than dragon if I understand correctly."

She waved that away. "Your grandfather was mostly human, but he did have some dragon in him." She sighed. "I'll tell you about him some other time. Not that it matters, really," she added as we passed the phoenix boundary. I breathed a silent sigh of relief and brought the car to a stop as a familiar shadow passed overhead. I opened the door to wait.

"You'll be living with me now, of course," Cinira said as we sat there.

I turned to look at her. "Um..."

"She's not staying with you, Cinira."

I turned at Ashur's irritated voice to find him glaring at Cinira even as he leaned down to give me a kiss. His eyes turned to scan me and then Omari in the back.

"Are you okay?" he asked quietly.

"Yes, we're fine," I reassured him.

He closed his eyes and leaned his face against my neck, his big body shuddering a little. I rubbed my hand down his back, sliding my other one into his hair.

"Only because I received a message from an informant and was able to get here in time," Cinira pointed out. "So you and Omari should obviously stay with me. I can keep you safe."

Ashur raised his head and narrowed his eyes. "Be careful," he growled.

Though he didn't seem particularly surprised to see Cinira. Had he known?

"Did you know we were related?" I demanded.

His face closed off. "I wasn't sure," he hedged. When I glared at him, he relented a little. "There is a slight similarity in your scents."

"And you thought to keep this from me because...?"

"Because he likely wanted to get into your pants," Cinira remarked, obviously enjoying the discord between us.

Ashur raised a brow at that.

"Both of you can relax," I said irritably. "I'm not living with either of you. I'm going back to the city dome. You know—where my business is? Where my entire life is?"

Cinira and Ashur both broke their staring contest to look at me like I was crazy.

"Why the hell would you go back there?" Ashur finally said in an incredulous tone.

"Because I need to make a living and I have a client base there," I explained patiently. "Now I have Omari so it's even more important that I have a steady source of income."

Ashur looked back at Omari. "Omari, don't you want to live with me?" he asked with a smile.

"Ashur, stop it," I warned. "And get in the car. I want to be farther from this place if we really need to argue about this."

That must have been a reasonable argument for him. He nodded and caught the sweatpants I threw at him. He slipped them on, got into the back seat, and I started driving again.

There was silence for a bit.

Blessed silence.

Cinira broke it.

I thought I'd have to break up another fight—I mean, she did lead an attack on Ashur's skein. Which ended up with me being badly burned. I probably had good reason to be angry, come to think of it. But I needed to hold on to that card for when it really counted.

But Cinira surprised me.

"I want to apologize," she said stiffly, turning in her seat to look at Ashur. "I thought you gold bas—" she stopped, sliding a glance at Omari who was watching her curiously. "I thought your skein was involved in my daughter's disappearance. Mia's existence obviously changes everything."

A pause.

"I understand the rationale. But you really know how to hold a grudge," Ashur finally said.

Grudgingly. But he didn't throw the apology back in her face. I'd take it.

And Cinira seemed to feel the same.

"It's one of my many talents," Cinira agreed, turning back to face the front. "Now, Mia. You should at least come see my stronghold. A visit will help you make an informed decision..."

I listened with half an ear as Cinira started listing all the positives about her stronghold.

When I glanced in the rearview mirror, it was to see Ashur talking quietly to Omari. Probably trying to convince him to harangue me into staying, no doubt. But Omari looked much more relaxed and happy now, so I let it slide.

Ashur looked up to meet my eyes. And he smiled.

My heart fluttered. It actually fluttered, like a schoolgirl in a bad teen movie. In my defense he looked even more gorgeous when he smiled. I shook my head at myself.

I was driving away from my sociopath father's palace. With my grandmother and my lover, who were apparently very old enemies. And with my half-brother who wasn't old enough yet to tie his shoes properly.

A lot had happened.

And there was a lot to still iron out.

I needed a nap.

* * *