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“Come on in,” Bruiser said, pushing open the double front doors.

Overstuffed armchairs and shoe racks lined the foyer, framing a stone fireplace. Uriel kicked off his shoes and turned Cassie around. The moment Cassie saw the fire in the fireplace, she shifted into a dragonet and began struggling with her clothes.

Uriel sighed. “Dammit, hon.”

“Rip them apart, I’ll pay for new ones,” Bruiser said.

“I’ll mend them with a spell,” Uriel said dryly, tearing the clothes open so Cassie could get free. She fluttered her wings and wriggled his arms, straining toward the fire. So he carried her over and set her down on the hearth. With a tiny, excited roar, Cassie scrambled onto the pile of burning firewood and perched on top of it like the queen of her own little hill.

“Awww.” Bruiser lit up. “That’s adorable.”

“Is she going to stay there the whole time?” Uriel asked doubtfully.

Bruiser shrugged. “Beats me. I guess we’ll find out together.” He slipped an arm around Uriel, both of them watching as Cassie played. Uriel couldn’t help sneaking a peek at Bruiser; the alpha had that sappy look on his face again. Uriel bit his lip.

Bruiser squeezed Uriel’s hip and tugged on him lightly. “Hunner’s just around the back. I’ll have him keep an eye on her.”

Uriel was still reluctant to leave her alone, until Hunner flounced in through the front door.

“I have the best idea,” the shape shifter crowed, throwing off his clothes.

He shifted into a glimmering blue dragon and crouched in front of the fireplace, roaring at Cassie.

Cassie wriggled, roaring back.

Uriel and Bruiser both melted.

“This might be your best idea ever,” Bruiser told his butler.

Hunner struck a pose on his side and preened. “Shoo. This isn’t my best idea. My best idea is in your bedroom.”

Bruiser groaned, dragging a hand down his face. “What did you do?”

“I did you a service,” Hunner said gravely.

“Oh gods,” Bruiser muttered. “I’m ignoring you.”

He tugged Uriel gently through the mansion. The living room was a vast space with a massive stone fireplace and sprawling couches—large enough for a few fully-shifted dragons to lie on. The dining room was the same, with a table that could seat several. Beyond that was a kitchen that was a chef’s wet dream: spacious granite counters, large sinks, a set of double ovens, and a huge fridge next to an even huger pantry.

“Wow,” Uriel said.

“I could cook something for you in here,” Bruiser said eagerly.

“You can cook?”

“Well, yes.” Bruiser huffed. “My parents would be appalled if I grew to be this old and couldn’t even cook an egg.”

Uriel cracked a smile. “Are we talking about a fried egg, or a fluffy omelet with all the bells and whistles?”

“Omelet with heavy cream and butter, stuffed with bacon and sausage,” Bruiser said.

“Oh gods,” Uriel whispered. “That sounds like sin.”

Bruiser grinned. “Breakfast tomorrow?”

“Yes,” Uriel said immediately. “Can you cook things other than an omelet?”

“Some. Name it. If I don’t know how, I’ll look up a recipe.”