Jaenelle lifted both eyebrows to express surprise. “You wanted to be pounced on by a wet tiger?”

Being near her had restored enough of his balance that he took a moment to consider that. “No.”

“Didn’t think so. That’s why I told him to stay where he was.” She stepped back and turned toward the archway that led to the kitchen. “I have a small keg of ale.”

“I have half a steak pie, cheese, and a fresh loaf of bread.”

Jaenelle grinned at him. “In that case, you can stay for dinner.”

He waited until they’d eaten and were sitting on the porch, watching twilight smudge the land into soft shapes.

“I need help, Cat,” he said quietly, using his nickname for her to indicate he needed help from his sister, not his Queen.

“Still being overrun by helpful ladies?” Jaenelle asked.

“No. Well, yes, but . . .” He took a deep breath, knowing he was about to walk the crumbling edge of a sheer cliff. “I found Roxie in my bed when I got home today.”

“Roxie,” Jaenelle said in that midnight voice that chilled her court.

Roxie didn’t like Jaenelle, and Jaenelle didn’t like Roxie. The difference was Roxie didn’t have enough power to do anything with that feeling. Jaenelle disliking someone was out and out dangerous.

Lucivar rubbed his hands over his face and sighed. “I need a housekeeper. I need a dragon who will—”

Jaenelle cocked her head and looked at him.

“No.” His nerves jumped, making him feel like he had tiny bugs skittering all over his skin. “Not a real dragon.” Not that he didn’t like the dragons who lived in the Fyreborn Islands. He did. He enjoyed wave whomping with them whenever he and Jaenelle visited the islands. But the last thing he needed was a dragon the size of a pony—not including the tail—waiting by the door to flame anyone who crossed the threshold.

“It would solve the problem of uninvited guests,” Jaenelle pointed out.

“No.”

She got that half-puzzled look on her face that always made him think of a kitten puzzling over a large, hoppy bug. “I wonder if any of the kindred have witches with a gift for hearth-Craft. What would they use it for?”

“It doesn’t matter.” His voice sounded firm, didn’t it? Hell’s fire, he hoped it sounded firm. “I need a human with enough housekeeping skills that Helene and Merry will be satisfied that the eyrie is being tended and whose presence will keep any other females from thinking that—” He bit back the words. Best not to mention Roxie again.

Jaenelle hesitated. “There is a hearth witch who has come to Kaeleer recently.”