“Don’t give in,” Valyndra teased, elbowing her mate. “The next thing you know, she’ll be charging interest.”
“Already does,” Draegor grumbled, but his eyes gleamed with pride. He reached into his pocket, producing three gold coins and flipping them onto the table. “Paid. Now where’s my hug and kiss?”
Roo pounced on him, wrapping her arms tight around his neck and giving him noisy, smacking kisses all over his cheek before she twisted out of his arms and slid to the floor. Phoenix hid her smile when Roo slipped a coin back into her grandfather’s pocket before she rounded the table to sit next to her.
“I gave him a discount for being a really good grandpa. Sometimes you gots to do that if you want to keep your clients happy,” Roo sighed dramatically.
“You’re such a dweeb, Roo. He’s your grandpa, not a client,” Stone muttered around a mouthful of pastry.
“I’m not a dweeb!” Roo growled.
“No name calling, Stone,” Drago muttered.
“Aw, Dad,” Stone groaned.
“That’s okay, Daddy. Mommy says the boys has got to give me a silver coin if they calls me names. I don’t mind,” Roo said with a grin.
“Don’t egg them on, Roo. Do you want milk or juice?” Carly asked.
Phoenix watched, heart twisting in her chest. This reminds me so much of home.
Before she could sink too far into that thought, a strange fluttering sound filled the air. A paper bird soared past her face and landed on her plate. She released a startled squeak before she reached out to touch it.
“We made you some paper birds to help you on your quest,” DJ said.
Another bird swooped in, followed by half a dozen more—folded parchment wings flapping wildly, diving, and weaving through the room.
Drago swore, leaping up as Carly shrieked as more filled the room and ducked.
“Oh, dear. Draegor, open the windows,” Valyndra said.
Carly and Drago scrambled toward the casement, fumbling with the latches as more birds poured in the kitchen, flapping around their heads.
Stone grinned. “DJ and I made more last night and used Uncle Ashure’s replication spell.”
“You—WHAT? How many times have I told you not to use any of the spells that damn pirate gives you?” Drago growled, scowling at his two laughing sons.
“Oh, I want that spell!” Roo pleaded.
Stone’s eyes widened and a sly grin curved his lips. “We’ll share… for two gold coins.”
“Done,” Roo said.
“Aw, man, Stone. You should have told her more. She gets that for a hug and a kiss!”
“No renegotiating,” Roo stated, dropping the two coins she received this morning into her brother’s hand. “Daddy, you owe each of us a coin for cussing.”
Drago groaned and shook his head. Valyndra wiped tears from her eyes, laughing so hard she could barely breathe.
“Welcome to the home of the Dragon King,” Draegor chuckled, shooing another paper bird out the window.
Carly shot Phoenix a helpless look as she chased a bird with a wooden spoon. “This… this is my life.”
Phoenix laughed until her stomach ached. “They remind me of Amber and Jade’s demented symbiots. They tried replicating them, and it didn’t turn out so good.”
The chaos faded slowly, birds coaxed out the windows, laughter dying down. Drago ruffled DJ’s hair, grumbling something about “next time, warn me before you use any of Ashure’s spells.”
Valyndra’s gaze softened as she looked at Phoenix. “When you are finished, why don’t we take a little trip? There is someplace special we’d like to show you.”
