“Get out of my way!” Kyrian shouted in frustration.
“You're the one who said you wanted company while you cooked.”
“But not company that blocked the sink with his big Bleiten ass!”
“Fine, but I'm not eating ear cheese. And my ass is not big; it's the perfect size for my body,” Malik grumbled and turned around. That's when he saw me. His grimace turned into a grin and warmth rushed through the mark on the back of my neck. He shot forward to pick me up and kiss me as the warmth shivered with pleasure. “Now, here's something far more palatable,” he murmured as he set me down.
“Hello, darling,” I purred.
“You're just in time for dinner,” Kyrian said brightly as he stepped around Malik and pulled me into another kiss.
“So, I heard.” I stepped out of his embrace. “Indian food?”
“Yes. Thank you!” Kyrian waved a hand at me as if I'd just won him an argument, then gave Malik an annoyed look. “She knows what paneer is.”
“It's pretty flavorless but it's meant to be cooked in lots of spices so it absorbs all of those flavors like a sponge,” I said to Malik.
“It'sspongyear cheese?” Malik asked with a twinkle in his eye.
“Yes, darling, it's spongy ear cheese.” I shoved him toward a chair at the kitchen table. “Why don't you sit down and stop pestering your kishano?”
“But he's so much fun to pester.” Malik grinned broadly enough to flash his fangs.
“Did you fix the issue in Danu?” Kyrian asked me.
“No.” I went grim. “I put a magical band aid on it. But we've figured out what happened. Someone found Danu's magic mantle—this magical foundation that supplies Danu with magic—and stole Earth magic from it.”
“They specifically stole Earth magic?” Malik asked as he shifted his chair so he could lean back against the wall and look at me.
“Yes. We think it was an Earth Sidhe because of that,” I explained. “It's a long story that I don't want to go into. The gist of it is: we're waiting on the mages to create a device that can locate the thief.”
“So, you have some time to spare?” Mal grinned.
“That I do.” I sat in the chair closest to his. “Oh! That reminds me. Where's my lodestone? I need to wear it so Everan can summon me if he needs to.”
Malik pulled it out of his pocket and handed it to me. “How did you know I had it on me?”
“I know you.” I smirked as I slipped it on. “You wouldn't want to run upstairs and search for it in the middle of an emergency.”
“Accurate.” Mal made an impressed sound.
“Any news on Gregory?” I asked.
“Nothing,” Kyrian answered. “And there hasn't been any ship sightings above America either. We're good for now.”
“Then I can relax and enjoy my evening with the two of you,” I said in relief.
“It sounds as if you need it,” Malik said, suddenly going concerned. His mark cooled slightly in response.
“I'm exhausted and worried,” I admitted. “Yes, I need it. I needyou.”
“Maybe we should invite Cyprian over,” Kyrian suggested.
“No, I'm fine with my angel and my demon.” I grinned at them, then looked past Kyrian. “And Indian food.”
“On it!” Kyrian kissed my cheek, then went back to cooking.
“How about a bath while the angel cooks?” Malik offered.
