“You’re not asking me to do anything. I’m telling you what I intend to do. An edict will arrive any day now, requiring you to return to them with Astasiya, and it will likely also include a request to remove Sethios. Will you abide?”

Sethios didn’t need to ask what that last part meant—the Seraphim would require Caro to kill him. Because that was the only way he would allow her to take his child away from him.

“I will not.” Caro lifted her chin. “And if they attempt to force me, I will respond lethally. Our daughter will have a choice in her future.”

“Will they even be able to find you?” Sethios asked, curious. “I mean, your skill is the ability to hide, right?”

Her eyes twinkled mischievously. “Correct, and I’ve been concealing myself since relocating here. The only one who can find me, other than Gabriel, is my mother, and she is lost to slumber for at least another few decades.”

“The council may wake her,” Leela warned. “But I’ll inform you if that happens.”

“You will pledge fealty too?” Caro asked, her shock evident.

“Not yet, as you’ll need me on the inside and the council can’t know I’m aware of this situation. That’s why your brilliant son misted me here. I actually have no idea where we are on Earth right now, and since he forced me to drink from him first, our elders won’t be able to track me either.” She nudged Gabriel with her elbow, and he gave her a semi-irritated expression. “What? You know you’re brilliant.”

“Yes, but it does not require touching me.”

Her eyes rolled upward. “Seriously, Gabe. You need to loosen up.”

“Do not suggest it.”

“Oh, I don’t need to.” Her expression turned positively impish as she looked him over. “You enjoyed yourself in New York City, didn’t you?”

He cleared his throat. “Can we add the rune and be done here? I have some other loose ends to tie up, including taking this lust princess home.”

“Lust princess?” Leela repeated with a laugh. “That’s a new nickname.”

He ignored her and gave Caro an imploring look. “This is the best way to protect her. Accept my proposal.”

“You don’t require my acceptance,” Caro replied, her voice soft. “I trust you implicitly.” She focused on Sethios. “It’s his approval we require. Without it, I cannot grant your request.”

An undeniable show of solidarity. There would be no decisions unless they were made together.

Sethios approved of her demonstration.

“Can you give us a few minutes to discuss?” He directed the request at their audience while observing Caro.

“Of course.” Gabriel stepped forward with his hands in an open gesture. “May I?”

“You wish to hold her?” Sethios asked, uncertain of how he felt. He rather enjoyed having her tucked against him.

“I won’t leave the house,” he replied. “I just want to have a discussion with my sister regarding her future dating life.”

Sethios tensed. “Dating?”

Gabriel’s gaze darkened. “Yeah.”