“Oh, hell no. I was just trying to be nice. I could rephrase that to ‘letyounot make any idiotic mistakes,’ but I haven’t heard that phrasing in decades.”
“Understood,” Antonio said. “When do you recommend is a good time to do this?”
Gaia tipped her face up and closed her eyes for a moment. “At least a week from now on a Wednesday.”
Gabriella’s expression clouded. “You mean to tell me my son has to suffer in unnecessary pain for another week?”
Mother Nature focused on Gabriella. “It’s up to them. If they take their chances, their careful plan might fall apart. Your son might fly off before the others can catch him. Your dragon daughter-in-law might fall into the ocean and drown… You know. The usual screwups.”
“It will give me a chance to spend some more time with Misty,” Gabe offered. “I don’t mind a little pain, especially if I can help prepare her for what’s to come.”
The Goddess walked over to him. He’d be nervous, except that she had a sincere-looking smile on her face.
“You know, young phoenix, you’re a good man. I don’t say that to many mortals. But you seem to need to hear it.” She patted him on the head and disappeared.
Gabriella let out a long breath in a whoosh. “Well, that was interesting.”
Antonio lifted his index finger to his lips. “Sometimes she listens afterward,” he whispered.
“I’m too busy to eavesdrop today.” Mother Nature’s voice reverberated from everywhere and nowhere. “Tell no one about my visit, and you won’t be tobogganing down Mount Everest.”
“My goodness.” Gabriella found her way to the couch and sat down hard.
