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“Asleep! Calm down. It’s to be expected after the dose of laudanum you asked for.” The woman tilted an annoyed head. “Go check for yourself.”

Lilith looked to Croll, who nodded, taking over her share of Jarek’s weight. She rushed into the house.

“Paranoid, that one,” she muttered.

You’ve no idea. “I take it you’re Ava?”

She curtsied tightly. “And you must be Valen’s brat. The bearable one, I hope.”

“Depends on your definition, ma’am.”

“Ah-ah. No ma’ams. Not anywhere near me, or I’ll make you sleep with the horses.” Ava waved them over as she climbed the porch. “Come along! I’m freezing my tits off out here.”

Jarek blinked. That was the warmest welcome he’d been given since Kyer fished him out from under Failen. He’d heard of this woman and like Novak, the many traded favors she and Kyer shared, but hadn’t had the chance to make her acquaintance before now. All he knew was she ran a safehouse under her tea plantation, guiding those who needed secrecy wherever they needed to go.

Croll kept Jarek steady along the stone walkway, up the stairs, and into a wall of wonderful heat. Ava’s home was as picturesque on the inside. A large staircase curved to the top floor over the main room, which was filled with furniture, plants, and paintings of portraits and landscapes. Clove and orange zest carried through the air.

“Sit him there,” Ava instructed, pointing to an impeccably cleaned white couch beside one already stained with dirt and blood.

Croll nor Jarek had the stomach to argue, so he deposited him where she asked in front of a lit hearth, other chairs, and a table. Ava made a noise in her throat and sauntered behind them to what Jarek assumed was the kitchen. He relaxed with a groan as he listened to soft clinks of porcelain and tin.

“Can hardly believe I’d come to prefer Novak’s company,” Croll whispered. “At least the man doesn’t hover.”

Jarek’s groan deepened. “Dare I ask what happened with that?”

“A bit messy, but everything worked out, sir. Novak will be rejoining Gridian’s Swarm. He requested more payment for risking himself to free Aarin, but that’s Kyer’s problem. He more or less got what he wanted out of the expedition.”

“What about Caiven? He is dead, right?”

“According to the Evelian, there’s nothing of him left.”

Footsteps padded down the stairs.

“Miss!” a small surprising voice yelled. “There’s equal boys and girls in the house now!”

“Very good, dear,” Ava called, unimpressed. “Come get the tray.”

A young girl bounded down the rest of the steps and skipped to the back of the house. Kyer never mentioned Ava having a daughter.

“Oh, for all things—Lilith!” Ava yelled. “Let the man sleep!” There was a long silence and then the shutting of a door. “Do you want cream in your tea?”

“The answer is still no to the tea.” Lilith trudged down the stairs. “I’ll take wine if you have it.”

Ava shrugged and shamelessly sat herself in a chair next to Croll, who quickly got up to move beside Jarek. She made a shooing motion above her head. “Take your pick of any of the open bottles.”

Croll was the first to speak while Lilith rummaged through the kitchen. “Evelian mentioned you two are familiar.”

Ava snorted into her cup. “I’m familiar with almost everyone. Comes with the position, but she does stand out. Not often I have repeat company, let alone a deity.”

Jarek, who was contemplating another multi-day nap, decided to speak up, keeping his piqued interest subtle. “You helped her get to Reave.”

“Oh, is that where she went?” Ava raised her voice.

Lilith grunted. “I need a pot!”

Ava quieted and crossed her legs. “She stopped here after leaving Zaitrerin. I didn’t help her go anywhere.”

“Pot!”