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When they finally paused for air, he rested his forehead against hers. “You said you just wanted privacy.”
“I did.”
“I think there was another reason.”
“There might have been.” She tried her best to look innocent.
His eyes narrowed with amusement. “You needed a little power boost.”
“I needed a little power boost.” She smiled sweetly.
“Liar.”
“I can have two reasons.”
A low chuckle rumbled in his chest before he closed the distance again, stealing another kiss that lingered just a little longer than the last. Maybe she had exaggerated about needing the magic, but she definitely wasn’t going to complain about the method.
Her fingers curled into the front of his shirt, pulling him closer until there wasn’t even a sliver of space between them. He responded without hesitation, one arm circling her waist while the other rested against her back, drawing her even tighter against him. She smiled into the kiss, warmth blooming through her as her touch affinity hummed contentedly beneath her skin.
This…This was nice. She tilted her head, deepening the kiss, and Asterion answered in kind.
“Uncle Astyyyy!” The shout echoed down the hallway.
Both of them froze. Ria let out a soft groan against his lips, and Asterion’s forehead dropped to hers.
“Later,” he muttered, sounding every bit as disappointed as she felt.
He pulled back just enough to look at her. With an amused smile, he brushed his thumb gently across her lower lip before letting his hand fall away.
Ria shook her head, unable to stop herself from smiling. “We’re never going to finish a kiss, are we?”
“Doesn’t seem likely.”
Another chorus of, “Uncle Astyyyy!” floated down the hall.
He sighed dramatically. “I suppose we’d better answer before she comes looking.”
“Good idea.”
Reluctantly, they made their way back toward the kitchen. The moment Korinnae spotted them, she hurried over, practically bouncing on her hooves.
“Uncle Asty! Velvet Harmony is having a concert!”
“They are?” Ria blinked.
“They’re coming to New York!” Korinnae nodded so enthusiastically her curls bounced. “Can we go? Pleeease?”
Ria accepted the phone the girl thrust into her hands and scanned the announcement. “Oh…” She looked up apologetically. “We have to do our mission first.”
Korinnae’s smile immediately wilted.
“But”—her ears drooped—“this is my only chance to see my favorite group in the whole world.” She looked up at her uncle with the sort of pleading expression only a child could manage. “Please?”
“Korinnae.”
Asterion didn’t raise his voice; he didn’t have to. The warning woven into his tone was enough to make it clear that his answer wasn’t going to change. The little calf let out an exaggerated, long-suffering sigh that only made the adults fight back smiles, while Ismene watched the exchange with a sympathetic smile.
“I’d go with you if I could,” Ismene said. “But I already have plans tomorrow night.”
