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Ria picked up her plate and brought it to the sink, passing close enough to Asterion that she caught the faint smell of wood and cold air on him. He’d already been outside.

“She likes it when you sit with her,” Ria said, low enough that Korinnae couldn’t hear from the table.

Asterion’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t answer.

Ria turned on the tap and started washing her plate. She didn’t say anything else. As she finished placing the plate on the rack, her phone buzzing against the porcelain fruit bowl caught her attention. Liora, the display read. Drying her hands, she picked it up.

“Hey, how’s it going with the Naiads?”

Liora harrumphed. “Have you ever dealt with teenaged girls with superiority complexes the size of Madison Square Garden?”

“I was the weird kid in high school, of course I have,” she said with a wry chuckle. “Need my help?”

“Nah, we’ve got it handled. Or we will.” She sighed. “Anyway, how’s everything? Is the house okay? Do you have everything you need?”

Ria smiled. “We’re fine. Yup, it’s fully stocked. And Korinnae and I made pancakes.”

“Oh, good. Is Asterion there?”

“Hold on.” Ria tapped the speaker icon and set the phone on the counter. “You’re on speaker.”

“Morning, guys,” Liora’s voice filled the kitchen.

“Hi, Liora!” Korinnae called from the table, perking up immediately.

“Are you being good?”

“I’m always good.”

“Uh-huh.” From Liora’s tone, it sounded like she mostly believed the calf. “Hey, Asterion, you there?”

“Yes.”

“Good. I spoke to Perseus and Medusa this morning. They’ve approved an advance on your salary so you and Korinnae can get settled in and buy some clothes, school supplies, more food, or whatever you else both need.”

Asterion’s bushy brows drew together. “I didn’t ask for that.”

“Yeah, but I did.” For Liora, this obviously wasn’t a discussion. “There’s an account waiting for you at the Alindale Bank on Merchant Row. You’ll need to go in and set it up, and the funds will be available right away.”

“I don’t take char⁠—”

“Asterion.”

He closed his mouth.

“Look, it’s not your fault we got a hot tip before we were able to give you a proper orientation. Korinnae shouldn’t have to be punished for it either. So, take the win, and even if you don’t get yourself anything, at least buy her some new clothes, school supplies, and some toys?”

“And where do I go? I am not familiar with Alindale and have no means of transport.”

“I’ll take you,” Ria volunteered before she could stop herself. “Can we use one of the company cars?”

“Of course. Now, see? Problem solved,” Liora said. “You all have fun shopping.”

Korinnae had gone very still in her chair, her fork frozen halfway to her mouth. Her ears swiveled toward the phone.

“Shopping?” she said carefully, as though speaking too loudly might break the spell.

Liora laughed. “Yup.”