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“I wanted to surprise you.” She cuts another slice of dough. “Your protection spell is strong. It still gave me a zap.” She grins.

“Good. It works.” I tilt my chin.

“Ms. Cranky,” she drawls. “Did I interrupt something?” She leans to the side, looking at Archer.

I step to the left, blocking him. “Yes. If you had told me you were close, I would have planned accordingly.”

“Would you like me to go outside so you can finish?” She wiggles her eyebrows.

“Aria,” I whine, stomping my foot.

“Don’t throw a fit,” she chides, and shoves her snack in her mouth. “I’m the one who should. This is how you greet your long-lost sister.” She crosses her arms and looks away.

The effect is ruined as she chews slowly.

“Alright,” I sigh, stepping toward her. “Aria, I forgive you.” I stop in front of her. “I shouldn’t have snapped at you,” I sing, and the only thing she moves is her eyes to look at me. “How was the drive?”

“Do you care?” She wrinkles her nose.

I grip her arm. “Of course. I was hot and bothered. You know what that can do to a girl.” I move my hand back and forth, and Archer coughs.

“I guess,” she mumbles, and focuses on me. “Perhaps, I’ll forgive you.” She drops her arms and smiles. “You look gorgeous.” She lunges, wrapping her arms around me. “My Sis.” She rocks us. “I can never stay annoyed with you.”

“I wouldn’t say that,” I murmur, hugging her.

“Why do you have to ruin our sister bonding?” she asks, leaning back.

We look at each other and burst out laughing. When we were younger, we made up things to argue about because we thought it was odd that we got along so well. Sure, many times we did annoying things to get on each other’s nerves, but nothing extreme. Meeting in my dream world is as if we met in the real world, but it’s nice to have her in my home.

“Oh, shit,” I say, pulling away. “Aria, this is Archer.” I hurry to him and wrap my hand around his bicep. “My soul bond.”

Aria narrows her eyes. “Archer, huh.” She steps closer, looking him up and down. “Savy’s description—”

“Aria,” I growl, not liking her appreciation of him.

“—was accurate.” She smiles. “Nice to meet you. I hope you treat her well, and don’t mind her quirks.” She widens her eyes.

“Hey,” I hiss.

“Kidding, kidding.” She holds up her hands, backing away.

“I’m glad you made it,” Archer says.

“I called Mateo. He’ll be here soon.” She looks around the room. “He’s packing. I figure we can settle in the place you have for us, and then find this Griffon guy.” She looks at us. “What?”

“Well…” I glance at Archer before focusing on her. “We already did it.” I clear my throat. “Maybe you should stay here. We did the spell at Archer’s, the house you were going to stay at.”

She lifts her hand. “Tell me all about it.”

Archer walks to the kitchen, and I motion to the table.

Knowing Aria, the element of danger won’t stop her from doing whatever she wants.

“Against a tree, huh?” Mateo leans close.

“Seriously,” I whisper, glaring at Aria. “I left the room for one minute, and you spilled everything.”

She shrugs. “I thought it was a serious bit of information.”