‘‘Yes, I believe we’ve established that fact,’’ I said, glancing at my watch. ‘‘It’s very late. Since Cyrene appears to have recovered from the injury, we’d better be on our way.’’

‘‘You can’t leave!’’ Maata burst out, her disbelief evident.

‘‘I’m afraid I have some prior commitments that I must attend to.’’ I turned my attention to Gabriel. ‘‘We should probably stay in touch. Do you live here in Greece?’’

‘‘No, we are here simply to make plans with Drake and Aisling while they are on holiday. My home is in Manukau.’’

I frowned in question.

‘‘New Zealand,’’ he answered. ‘‘I have taken a home in London since that is where Kostya is believed to be basing himself. I cannot address the obligations you mention until I have more information, but I assure you that the job of wyvern’s mate will require much more time and attention than can be conducted by a distant relationship.’’

The emphasis he put on the last couple of words was unmistakable. So was the light in his eyes.

‘‘The sheer hell she’s going to put you through,’’ Drake muttered, shaking his head.

Aisling whomped him on the chest. ‘‘For what it’s worth, May, I think you have the right idea. Take your time to get to know Gabriel. Don’t let anyone rush you into anything. Being a wyvern’s mate is time-consuming, yes, but there’s no reason you can’t do your own job as well as take care of Gabriel and the silver dragons.’’

‘‘She is a thief,’’ Drake pointed out.

‘‘Well, so are you,’’ she countered, leveling a look at him that I’d have been afraid to even think of. ‘‘And I’m sure she has a very good reason for being a thief, too. Cyrene and May probably have an ailing mother, or there’s someone else May has to take care of, and doing a Robin Hood act is the only way she can get by.’’

All eyes turned to me. I lifted my chin and smiled at no one in particular. ‘‘It’s something like that. Now, if you’ll excuse us, Cyrene and I should be on our way. Do you have a phone number where I can reach you in London, Gabriel?’’

Silently, he pulled out a card and handed it to me. I tucked it away in an inner pocket of my leather bodice. ‘‘Thank you. I’m sorry about disturbing your evening. It’s been . . . a pleasure. Good night.’’

I grabbed Cyrene’s arm and started to hustle her through the door, but I had a feeling we weren’t going to be able to make an escape without hearing from the quicksilver-eyed dragon.

‘‘We will accompany you to your hotel,’’ Gabriel said, suddenly standing in front of us, holding the door open.