“I appreciate the offer, but I’m sure we’ve got it,” Daniel said.
“You sure? I don’t mind,” Carrik said, offering his services once more.
Daniel kind of looked at Carrik, his mind wondering just how incapable Carrik considered him to be. Daniel pointed to himself. “Dragon. Just like you. I’m pretty sure I can find it. Could have found it yesterday if I’d needed to.”
Carrik nodded resignedly. “You’re right. I have a bad habit of assuming that everyone from the outside world is clueless. It’s not fair, and very close-minded of me to do so. Especially when I’m well aware that you’re a Dragon. Apologies.”
“Not necessary. I know you didn’t mean offense. And we do come from a very different place, so it would be understandable regardless. I’m just reminding you. Thanks for the offer, though.”
“Have a good day. If somebody confronts you about being here, just tell them you’re a guest of mine and Lily’s. And of Boon’s.”
“Will do,” Daniel said. “We’ll see you later this evening.”
“Oh, yeah,” Carrik said. “Any requests for dinner?”
“I think we’re having lasagna. I’m going to teach Lily my secrets,” Avaleigh said.
“Ohhh! Looking forward to that,” Carrik said, getting up to pour himself another cup of coffee.
“We’ll see you later, then,” Daniel said, taking Avaleigh by the hand and leaving Carrik to try to shock his system awake by drowning himself in caffeine. Daniel and Avaleigh stepped out onto the porch and right away, Avaleigh was slamming her eyes closed and shuffling through the contents of her purse for her sunglasses.
“Found ‘em,” she said, slipping her sunglasses on quickly and looking around herself with appreciation. “Woo, that’s better.”
“Let’s get going, then,” Daniel said, as they stepped off the porch and turned toward their right.
“It’s really pretty here,” Avaleigh said.
“It is. It’s like living in the woods. No, it’s not like living in the woods, it is living in the woods. I could get used to this. Any time I wanted to, I could walk out of the house and take flight.”
“You could. And it’s so quiet here. It’s quiet back home, too, but here, it just feels different.”
“I remember Tempest telling us that Lily keeps a glamour in place to prevent any humans from stumbling into the area. I wonder if that could have something to do with it,” Daniel said.
“It might. But even if that’s it, I don’t mind it. I like the feeling.”
“Me, too.”
“Maybe we could look into having a place here later, if Angelle decides to live here, that is,” Avaleigh said.
“I’d definitely want to be able to come visit at least.”
“Same. And if they have kids, I’m going to want to be here a lot,” Avaleigh said.
“Can we not talk about Angelle having kids any time soon?” Daniel asked.
“Why not? Don’t you want grandchildren?” Avaleigh asked.
“I do, very much so. But I’m not ready to think about what she’d have to do to make them,” Daniel said.
Avaleigh burst out laughing. “I think you’re going to have to get used to the fact that Angelle is not a child anymore. She’s met her mate and she’s about to take that next step.”
“I know that. I do. And I’m even kind of happy for her. But… baby steps. She just needs baby steps.”
“Okay, well, while you’re hoping for baby steps, we might need to speak to somebody about a place for us so we’re not always intruding on them in their home.”
“Them?” Daniel asked.
“Boon and Angelle, and Carrik and Lily.”
