“Well, I'll have to look through some of the books I brought with me. I'm not a master of insects. I only know the basic things about them in reference to their impact on plants.”
“Let me know what you find as soon as possible,” I said. “At the moment, the only thing I can think to create is an underground fence, perhaps made of metal mesh or perhaps we could hire an expert in Earth Magic to segregate the contaminated trees.”
“That's not a bad idea,” Ravand said. “With Earth Magic, the trees could be pulled like carrots, then contained, perhaps in Air Magic, and burned.”
“That's risky,” Sebastian said. “You'll have to perform the same maneuver with every tree, and each time will present an opportunity for the beetles to escape. They have wings, after all.”
“Well, shit,” Ravand drawled.
Mila chuckled and patted her mate's hand. “Let the young ones work on the issue, darling. They know more about modern contraptions.”
Ravand grunted.
“I didn't consider the wings,” I muttered. “Which is ironic, consideringmywings.”
Rian chuckled.
I looked over at him. His mother sat on his left, and then his father. Even with Mila between them, it was shocking to see him and his father together. Dragons, like every other immortal race, didn't show their age. They reached maturity and that was it. So, Rian and Ravand looked like brothers.
“So, a barrier won't work?” Rian asked. “I thought that's how you usually dealt with them?”
“It is, but that's when you leave the tree in the ground,” Sebastian said. “With the tree still planted, you can start burning the tree from the top, driving the beetles downward, into the ground. Any that make it out of the tree, wind up in the trench and can be dealt with there. But if you uproot the tree, the motion will instantly set the hive on alert, and without the ground to retreat to, they'll take to the air. That would be bad. We wouldn't know where they landed and it would take time for their handiwork to show.”
“All right. That gives me a little to work with,” I said. “Now, I just need some time to think.”
“You see?” Rian stroked my braid. “I knew you needed to join us. Thank you for coming, Galin.”
“He hasn't done anything yet,” Geris said.
“Whoa!” Sebastian gaped at Geris. “That sounded bitter. Are you bitter? Why are you bitter? Do you want Galin too? I mean, I get it.” He leaned toward Geris as if in commiseration. “He's beautiful. Stunning, really. I've never seen a more beautiful man. And that ass! I mean, it's aridiculousass.” He looked at me. “Your ass is ridiculous. And I mean that in the best way possible. I wish I had your ass. It's as if someone cut a melon in half and stuck it down the back of your pants. Oh, if only I had your melon ass.” He sighed and leaned back in his chair. “I'd rule the world.”
We were all silent, me especially. I gaped at Sebastian.
Then Rian burst out laughing.
I stared at him.
“Well, it is a ridiculous, melon-shaped, world-dominating ass,” Rian said. “It certainly conquered me.”
“I thought it was my face that caught your eye,” I huffed.
“It was. You have a divine face. But then I saw your ass, and I knew I was done for. Pert, plump, and . . .” he trailed off, his stare going to his mother. “My apologies, Mother.”
“Not at all,” Mila said. “I have to agree with Sebastian. Galin's ass is ridiculously fantastic. It's so round.” She curved and cupped her hands before her.
“You're doing it again, darling,” Ravand drawled.
“Doing what?”
“Making Galin uncomfortable.”
“Oh, please.” She rolled her eyes. “Surely he must know about his ass.”
“How would he? It'sbehindhim.”
I made a choking sound as Rian and Sebastian laughed along with Ravand. Geris just looked even more uncomfortable than me. But at least we weren't talking about his bitterness. He should be relieved.
“A melon?” I asked. “Really?”
