“Yes,” Misty said. “It’s a good thing she gave us time to reflect on it. I would have jumped at the chance to be cured. I think she even knew that, so she told me to think it over and talk to you or Chloe. Do you think Chloe would have any other advice I should listen to?”
Suddenly, Chloe appeared. “I think Kristine covered it fairly well. So, do you have any questions for me in particular?”
“Ah, Sister.” Kristine hugged Chloe. “I’m glad you’re here. I need to get home before my lasagna burns. Maybe you can take over for me?”
“Only if you’re talkin’ about takin’ over the advisin’ and not the cookin’. It’s always a pleasure to see you, but I understand if you’ve got to leave.”
Chloe whispered something in Kristine’s ear. Misty probably didn’t hear it, but Gabe did. Chloe reminded Kristine that she could fiddle with time a bit and pop back home before the lasagna burned even if she stayed long enough for that to happen.Wow, that must be a cool power to have.
Misty rose. “Thank you for coming, Kristine. And thanks for answering all my questions. I might have more in the future. I hope that’s all right.”
Kristine laughed. “I don’t doubt it. You can talk to me anytime.”
“Or me,” Chloe said.
Gabe rose and hugged one sister-in-law goodbye and the other hello. Then he stood next to Misty with an arm around what was once her waist.
Chloe sighed as she surveyed Misty’s expanding middle. “Ah, children. It’s not meant to be for Ryan and I. Although at one time I wished it.”
Gabe gave her the hairy eyeball. “Ah. Soyou’rethe one.”
She reared back. “I’m the one what?”
How could he tell her that Mother Nature turned him into a dragnix because of a conversation with one of his brother’s wives? He waved away the question. “Never mind. I’m sure you’ll hear all about it at the next family gathering.”
“Hmmm… I don’t know what you’re referrin’ to, but if you don’t care to talk about it—”
“I don’t. Believe me, I don’t.”
Chloe shrugged. “Whatever floats your boat.”
He eyed her curiously. It happened on a boat. Was her expression a coincidence, or was she there watching and now playing dumb?
Learning about the ether, he realized a muse could be anywhere and he’d never know it. That was sort of their job. Chloe was the muse of fire safety. His family was pulling a risky move with fire when they had Kristine bathe him in dragon fire, intending to reduce him to ashes.
“You really don’t know?”
Chloe shook her head.
Gabe inhaled deeply. “Fine. I’ll tell you. But don’t laugh. Apparently, one of my older brothers and his wife wanted Gaia to make it possible for a dragon and phoenix to reproduce.”
“That would have been us, yes.”
“Well, let me just assure you, it was a terrible idea. I came back as one during my reincarnation. For a few minutes, only the top half of me was visible on the little boat, because that half of me was fireproof—like a dragon. When I looked down, I had scales and an enormous wingspan. My bottom half was indeed a pile of ashes.”
“Like a phoenix in fire,” she supplied. “Oh no. What happened? How did you rise from the ashes?”
“It wasn’t graceful.”
“Oh dear.” Her hand covered her mouth, like she was trying to hide a smile. When she got herself under control, she said, “I never meant for it to happen like that. I just hoped she could make it possible for a dragon and phoenix to have offspring—not with any powers or anythin’. Just a normal child.” Then her smile threatened to return. “No wonder she got so angry and refused.”
“Yeah, well. I doubt it will ever happen again.”
“Good thing. Ryan and I are actually quite happy without children. If we had little ones running around the edge of a cliff every time they went outside, I’d be beside meself with worry.”
“And that’s where I’d come in,” Misty said.
“What would ye do in that case?” Chloe asked.
