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Korinnae looked even more crestfallen.

Ria watched the little girl’s shoulders slump before an idea occurred to her. “Don’t worry,” she said. Everyone turned toward her. “Elian mentioned that his cousin lives here in Queens, and she can babysit if we need help.”

Asterion’s expression immediately soured.

“Oh, don’t start.” Ria rolled her eyes.

“I wasn’t going to say anything.”

“You were absolutely going to say something.”

“I was thinking it.”

“I know.”

Korinnae looked back and forth between them hopefully. “So…can we?”

Asterion looked down at his niece, taking in her wide, hopeful eyes and the way she seemed to vibrate with barely contained excitement. Ria watched the silent battle play out across his face, a knowing smile tugging at her lips. She could almost see the exact moment he realized he was outnumbered with the long-suffering sigh of a man accepting his inevitable defeat. He gave a single, resigned nod. “Fine.”

“Really?” Korinnae squealed.

“Aye.”

She launched herself at him so quickly that he barely had time to catch her.

“Thank you, Uncle Asty!”

He chuckled as he hugged her back. “Just don’t make me sing one of their songs ever again.”

Korinnae pulled back with a grin. “No promises.”

Ria bit her lip to keep from laughing. Something told her Asterion had no idea what he’d just agreed to.

“Mama, we actually need to head into the Village for a bit,” she said, looking toward her mother. “We’re trying to track down a tattoo artist.”

Ismene nodded as though that were a perfectly ordinary errand. “Then leave Korinnae with me.” She smiled at the calf. “You can help me cook for the party tomorrow.”

“I can?” Korinnae’s eyes lit up.

“Of course. And while you two are out, I’ll buy the concert tickets.”

“Thanks, Mama.” Ria’s shoulders relaxed. “That would be a huge help.”

“Of course.”

Korinnae was already peppering Ismene with questions about what they were making, and Cerberus trotted after them, barking happily as the three disappeared farther into the kitchen.

“Come on.” Ria turned toward Asterion.

He looked at her.

“I want you to meet my Appa.”

She caught the brief flicker of apprehension that crossed his face. Still, he nodded. “Lead the way.”

She smiled and took his hand, leading him down to the basement. Sure enough, her father was doing exactly what her mother had predicted he’d be doing.

Jae sat comfortably in his favorite recliner, completely absorbed in the championship basketball game playing across the television. “…and here’s the possession that changes everything,” he murmured to himself just as the point guard crossed half court.