Tim looked to Kessler who stood and physically pulled Tenn to his feet. Tenn flinched and threw his arms out, then froze when he saw it was his father holding him.

Tenn’s face fell and his shoulders dropped. “I did it again.”

Kessler wrapped his arm around Tenn’s shoulders and led him toward the stairs. “C’mon, Son. Let’s go back down there.”

“Cooper, go put him to sleep please.” Tim’s eyebrows were scrunched low. “And check Lancaster.”

Cooper raced after them.

“Anyway, Koth . . .” Tim coughed, then leaned forward. “I was hoping to ask a favor but feel no pressure to⁠—”

“I’m happy to station one of my dragons here. Yes.”

Tim smiled. “Thank you. With Tegan being down and Haven . . . Yeah, we could use the help. Though, perhaps not Silas.”

Silas arched an eyebrow.

“You know damn well this isn’t about your skill. You have been a valuable assassin for us, but Sweyn expects you now. And I’d like to heed the warnings I’ve been given on the Unseelie.”

Silas crossed his arms over his chest. “Dragons they’ve yet to see so they won’t know to look for them.”

I held my hand up. “How many dragons do you have?”

Koth looked upset by the question but didn’t say so. “Four teenagers that no one wants me to send out. Neka I’d rather keep a tight lid on. He’s a rare type of dragon. Yaluk, Finn, Tyce, and Dace are available.”

Dream-Deacon looked up from the book. “Yaluk is the hot-tempered one, right? Maybe not him.”

Silas chuckled.

Koth tapped his knuckles on the table. “Finn could be good for blending in here.”

Royce blushed and glanced to Thiago, who didn’t notice. Interesting.

“It needs to be the twins,” Silas grumbled. “Send both. They might need it.”

“I’ll send them down here asap. But they’re a need-to-know set of guys. They have the best of intentions but are a little too happy-go-lucky and forget some things are meant to be secret.”

Kessler grinned. “Reminds me of Easton and Royce a few years ago.”

They high-fived in the air across the table.

Tim looked up with pinched eyebrows. “He sleeping?”

Cooper slid back into his seat next to Savannah. “Out cold, with Albert curled between his legs. But he and Jackson seem to be having quite the argument.”

Easton frowned. “Albert or Tenn?”

“Albert.” Cooper grinned. “Also, Jackson is solid. Says Em fed him chicken before we all came down.”

Katherine nodded. “Oh, that’s true. She did.”

“Good.” Tim turned his gaze back to Koth. “What’s the safety level of Issale?”

“Issale cannot be accessed, the angels have assured me of that. Eithne and her soulmate have been staying with us to ensure our borders are protected and strong. They promise to let us know if our borders are in jeopardy.”

Constance leaned forward. “And your civilians outside of Issale?”