“Sure, I’ll take something warm. I’m not picky about my caffeine.” Cerulean kept glancing around the stop, like he couldn’t believe I lived and worked here. “You know how it is when I’m on my jobs; if it’s hot and caffeinated I’m happy.”

I quickly make him a latte with an extra shot of espresso and set it on the counter next to the box. “Come on back into the kitchen. I have stools, so we both can sit down.”

Cerulean grabbed the big box, so I picked up both our cups and headed to the island. He set the box down and then took out a large pastry box. “Mom made you a small chocolate cake with vanilla frosting.”

“That is, like, an extra large cupcake…” The thing looked amazing, and much more like a cupcake than an actual cake, which I was thankful for.

He also pulled out two smaller boxes. “I got you a little something on my last trip, and then Dad, well, he had to get you something as well.” He sat down on the stool and pulled his cup a little closer.

“I’m surprised to see you. I thought you had a big tour thing coming up. To some deep mountain range or something.”

He scratched the back of his head, messing his brown hair up. “Eh, I canceled it. The client gave me a bad feeling.”

“Ah, the legendary gut check of Cerulean,” I said with a smirk.

“Hey, my gut check has saved my bacon many times.”

“I know, I know.” I took a sip of my now lukewarm drink. “So, why are you really here? Visiting isn’t really your thing.”

He shrugged, with a frown. “Can’t I check on my little sister?”

I kept staring.

“Fine, I needed a break from doing my job. I might be getting a little burnt out.” He stared down at his coffee cup. “Plus, mom wanted someone to come out here, and Cyan has a big project he’s rushing to finish for some important company. Like, a six-figure project.”

“Woah, that’s pretty amazing.”

“It is. Plus, you know Onyx wouldn’t come. He doesn’t like to fly, and this by car would be pretty far.” That much was very true. “Umber is working on the farm, and won’t be free until the snow flies.” He smiled brightly, his blue eyes almost glowing. “So, you get me! Aren’t you lucky?”

“Of course I’m lucky. I have a great family, a fantastic job, and I get to live here.” I motioned to our surroundings. “My life is pretty lucky.” Something clicked in the back of my mind and I quickly stood up. “Actually, I have something for Umber for you to bring back.” I headed to the storage room, and sitting inside on a shelf were the sunflower seeds in the paper envelope. It only took a few seconds to get back and set them on the counter. “I randomly got these and thought of him.”

Cerulean picked up the envelope, staring at it with a confused look on his face. “Where did you get these?” The question came out strangely, almost choked.

I shrugged. “It was part of an order, but the client didn’t pick it up.” Which wasn’t quite the truth, but I didn’t know how to explain they’d just shown up one day for me to give to him.

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He nodded slowly, still looking way more confused than an envelope of seeds really warranted.

“So, do you want to split this massive cupcake with me?” I asked with a grin.

He nodded, his gaze switching to the giant cupcake.

I got up and pulled out plates, plus a knife and forks. I cut it into quarters and put a quarter on each of our plates. “This feels like a ton of cake,” I said, sliding the plate over to him. I wanted to make sure the Cat and Indigo got a bit as well, but couldn’t outright say that. The first bite was like a warm hug from my mother. It reminded me of birthdays past, along with big gatherings of my family. It was so chocolatey it almost melted in my mouth, but it wasn’t too sweet. The perfect balance that my mother always seemed able to strike for me.

“Mom sure knows how to bake a cake,” I added, taking another bite.

Cerulean’s cake was gone almost instantly. “I swear she puts extra effort into yours.”

“Na, it’s just that I ask for less sugar.” That was the secret, otherwise mom’s icing was way too sweet, like make-your-teeth-hurt sweet. “So, if you canceled your next trip, what’s on your schedule?”

Something strange was going on with Cerulean. He kept glancing around like he was waiting for something to happen. “No idea, just kind of seeing where the world takes me. Another trip will come up, they always do.” He chuckled to himself. “That’s the thing about my job. Someone always wants to go somewhere, and there’s always somewhere to go.”

“Don’t you plan on settling down? I know Umber wants to find a partner, what about you?”

He started laughing. “I doubt I’ll go that route with my life. All of you guys are all I need.” His laughter rolled around the space and made me smile.

“You never know,” I added, finishing my cake. My contract for here was only for a year, but already I was hoping I could take a quick break then come back with a new contract. Maybe take a two-week trip to see my family, then sign up again. I couldn’t imagine leaving the Cat or Indigo behind.

“You should open your presents.”

I quickly pulled Dad’s present in front of me and pulled off the wrapping paper. It was always a book, that was Dad’s thing. Everyone got a book for their birthday. This one was covered in leather and had a clasp. I flipped the pages open and found them blank. “A journal?”

“Really?” asked my brother. “That’s new.”

I hadn’t ever gotten a journal from him before, but I supposed there was a first time for everything. “It’s super nice, though.”

Cerulean nodded, looking confused again. Dad’s books usually had a theme or a lesson he thought you should learn. A blank journal was a new one. Maybe I needed to figure out my own theme.

“Here, open mine.” He eagerly pushed his box across the table.

I pulled the bright blue box closer and slowly started pulling the paper off. He glared at me, so I moved quicker, laughing as I did so. He had already gotten me a card, so I was surprised to get something else from him. I pulled the lid off the box and paused.

Inside was a bracelet on a red cushion.

“I know you’re not a jewelry person, but I felt like I had to get it for you…” He shrugged.

I pulled it out, being careful. The chain was delicate and had three stones on it. One was purple, one was bright green, and the last was black. “Woah, this is beautiful.” I glanced up at him with a smile. “You didn’t need to get this for me.”

“Let me put it on you.” He leaned across the island and opened the clasp, and I held out my wrist.

It felt almost warm as it lay on my wrist. Loose, but not loose enough to get caught on something. “Thank you,” I said, meaning it. It was a magnificent gift.

***

It wasn’t possible. I watched, hidden in the shadows. His eyes kept drifting my way, even if he couldn’t see me. Sable had no clue, of course, but the pulse of power inside this brother differed from the last one. This was much stronger.

The bracelet echoed with power; a protection spell made specifically for her. He hadn’t been the one to create it, but he had gotten it made somewhere. Somewhere not on this world. More questions echoed inside my head, but I didn’t have anyone to ask, and I had no way to find out. I trust the dragons with this.

It wasn’t like it changed anything, though. I knew Sable was special, and that was why, as soon as her contract was up, I would vanish from her life.