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“It’s temporary,” Zara said. “Until we sort out something else.”

Before either of them could push back, Korinnae grabbed Ria’s hand. “You’re staying with us?” She was practically vibrating. “You can show me more of those dances! And we can cook together!”

Ria glanced back at Asterion over her shoulder as Korinnae pulled her toward the front door. He met her stare. Neither of them wanted this. Both of them knew they were going to do it anyway.

Ria gave a small, resigned nod. Asterion returned it. Then Korinnae dragged her through the doorway and the calf’s excited voice echoed through the house, already claiming rooms and asking which cupboards were hers.

“I’m sure you’re all hungry,” Zara said as they all gathered back in the living room. “So, I took the liberty of ordering pizza for dinner.” As if on cue, the doorbell rang. “Sounds like it’s here. Hektor, baby, can you give me a hand?” She winked at Korinnae. “I ordered a lot of pizza.”

“Yay!” The calf cheered, raising a fist in the air. Asterion doubted she knew what this “pizza” was, but he wouldn’t bring his niece’s mood down.

Hektor went to the door and came back carrying a stack of boxes so tall it nearly cleared his horns. The smell alone was enough to move everyone into the kitchen, where he set them on the counter and went back for a second load. By the time he was done, the boxes covered the counter and half the table.

Asterion had never tried pizza before and wasn’t sure what to make of a food that came in a flat box, but Korinnae had no such reservations and was on her third slice before he’d finished his first.

Hektor argued with Maldenis over toppings while Liora stole a slice off her mate’s plate and denied it to his face. Zara kept trying to get Korinnae to try something called “garlic knots.” The witch sat across from him and he caught her smiling at Korinnae more than once, and once, briefly, at him, though he pretended not to notice. However, a thought popped into his head. This was the first proper meal he’d shared with anyone other than Korinnae in months.

By the time the boxes were empty, Korinnae’s head was drooping. She’d wedged herself between Ria and Zara on the small sofa in the living room and was fighting to keep her eyelids from closing.

“Bedtime, Korinnae,” Asterion said.

“I’m not tired,” she pouted.

“You’re falling asleep sitting up.”

Her small arms crossed over her chest. “I’m resting my eyes.”

“Korinnae.”

She let out a groan and pleaded, “Five more minutes.”

“Now, lassie.” He kept his voice firm. “Ye’ve had a long day. We all have. And Maldenis is picking us up in the morning to show us headquarters.”

“Tomorrow?” Korinnae perked up slightly. “Can I come?”

“We’ll see.”

Her mouth opened.

“That means maybe,” Ria said gently. “Which is better than no.”

Korinnae considered this, then slid off the sofa with exaggerated slowness. “Goodnight, Ria.”

“Goodnight, sweetheart.” Ria squeezed her hand. “I’ll be right down the hall if you need me.”

Korinnae beamed, called out goodnight to everyone else, then trotted off toward her room. The others filtered out not long after, with Maldenis reminding them that he’d be there at nine.

Then they were alone, standing in an empty living room.

“Well,” Ria said.

“Well,” he repeated back. He folded his arms, then unfolded them because it felt like he was blocking the corridor.

“Goodnight, then,” she said.

“Goodnight.”

Neither of them moved for a beat too long. Then Ria turned and walked to the lone hallway and disappeared into her room, pulling the door shut behind her.