Chapter 197: Baby Books And Banter

Kane hurried through the BSA’s corridors, his badge beeping as he clocked out at the security checkpoint. The evening shift agents barely glanced up from their paperwork as he passed.

The parking lot stretched before him in the fading daylight, and Kane spotted Cyrus’s sleek black sedan immediately. ℴℴ𝘮

Even from a distance, he could see Cyrus’s silhouette through the windshield, perfectly still and composed.

Kane jogged the last few steps and slipped into the passenger seat, immediately enveloped by the familiar scent of Cyrus’s cologne and the leather interior.

"Have you been waiting long?"

Cyrus turned the key in the ignition, the engine purring to life. His red-gold eyes held that unreadable expression Kane had grown to recognize—the one that revealed nothing while somehow saying everything.

"I’m patient."

The non-answer was so typically Cyrus that Kane couldn’t help but smile, even as guilt twisted in his chest. He buckled his seatbelt and turned toward his dragon.

"I’m sorry for keeping you waiting. I got caught up in research and lost track of time."

Cyrus’s hands remained steady on the steering wheel as he pulled out of the parking space.

"What did you find?"

Kane reached into his jacket and pulled out the mythology book, its worn cover catching the dashboard lights as he set it on his lap.

"I found something interesting in the BSA library." He opened the book to show it to Cyrus.

The dragon’s eyes lingered on the book’s ridiculous cover illustration—a cartoonish Western dragon breathing orange flames.

"Are you studying dragon parenting techniques?"

The question was so unexpected that Kane blinked, momentarily confused.

Then he caught sight of the dragon egg’s case secured in the backseat and realized what Cyrus was thinking.

"What? No—this isn’t..." Kane sputtered, heat rising in his cheeks. "I wasn’t shopping for baby books, Cyrus. This is research."

A hint of amusement flickered across Cyrus’s features.

Kane huffed, still flustered by Cyrus’s teasing. "It wouldn’t be out of character for me to research dragon parenting, would it?"

Cyrus’s expression softened, a rare warmth entering his eyes. "Actually, no. It would be quite... endearing."

The admission made Kane’s chest flutter, but before he could respond, Cyrus continued with surprising seriousness.

"Though I should mention, despite the ridiculous illustrations, that’s actually one of the better-written books about dragons by human authors."

Kane blinked, genuinely surprised. "Wait, you know this book?"

"I happened to know the author back then." Cyrus’s tone was casual, but Kane caught the subtle emphasis. "Dr. Margaret Chen. Brilliant anthropologist. I provided most of the accurate references she used."

"You what?" Kane stared at the cartoonish dragon on the cover, then back at Cyrus. "You helped write this?"

"The factual portions, yes. Though I had no control over the artistic choices."

Kane shook his head in amazement, then remembered why he’d brought the book. "Well, that makes this even more interesting."

He opened to the back pages, showing Cyrus the jagged tears where the appendix had been ripped out.

"Someone specifically removed the section about sacred artifacts and relics."

Cyrus’s hands tightened on the steering wheel, his attention sharpening.

Kane pulled out the yellowed parchment, unfolding it carefully. "And I found this tucked inside."

Cyrus’s eyes widened as he caught sight of the ancient script, and the BMW swerved slightly into the adjacent lane.

A horn blared from the car beside them, and Cyrus quickly corrected course, his knuckles white against the steering wheel.

"Shit, sorry," Kane said, immediately folding the parchment and closing the book.

He tucked both items securely against his chest, away from Cyrus’s line of sight.

"Ancient Draconic isn’t exactly casual reading material," Cyrus said, his voice carefully controlled. "I’ll take a proper look once we reach our destination."

Kane nodded, then tilted his head. "Speaking of which, where exactly are we going?"

Cyrus reached over and flicked Kane lightly on the forehead with one finger.

"Ow! What was that for?"

"For forgetting we have dinner reservations at Bella Notte," Cyrus said, though his tone held more amusement than irritation. "The Italian restaurant you’ve mentioned."

Kane’s face lit up with realization. "The one with the truffle pasta! And the tiramisu that supposedly makes people weep with joy?"

"The very same." Cyrus’s mouth curved into a small smile. "Though I suspect your enthusiasm might be slightly exaggerated."

"You clearly haven’t experienced life-changing tiramisu," Kane said, settling back into his seat with the book clutched protectively. "This is going to be amazing."

The dragon’s expression softened as he watched Kane’s excitement, the ancient Draconic mystery temporarily forgotten in favor of Kane’s infectious joy.

Moments later, the BMW pulled into Bella Notte’s valet stand, where uniformed attendants waited beneath elegant awnings.

Kane carefully lifted the dragon egg case from the backseat, cradling it against his chest.

"You’re bringing that into the restaurant?"

"I’m not leaving a priceless dragon egg unattended in a parking lot," Kane said, adjusting his grip on the case’s handle. "What if someone breaks in?"

Cyrus handed his keys to the valet. "The car has magical security wards."

"And if those fail?"

"Then they’ll be incinerated."

Kane paused, considering this. "Actually, that’s probably effective."

"But you’re still bringing the egg."

"I’m still bringing the egg."

The restaurant’s interior was dimly lit with warm golden light, with classical music drifting from hidden speakers.

Crystal chandeliers on the ceiling cast dancing shadows across cream-colored walls lined with vintage wine bottles.

The ma?tre d’ approached with a practiced smile. "Mr. Drakhal, your private dining room is ready."

They were led through the main dining area to a secluded alcove separated by elegant silk curtains. The intimate space featured a single table set for two, complete with flickering candles and fresh orchids.

Kane set the egg case carefully on an empty chair, then settled into his seat across from Cyrus. "This is perfect. Private, quiet—"

"And soundproof," Cyrus added, his meaning clear.

A server appeared with menus and wine recommendations, which Cyrus handled with his usual efficiency.

Once they were alone again, Kane retrieved the parchment from the mythology book.

"Now, about this ancient Draconic script..."

Cyrus accepted the yellowed paper, his fingers tracing the archaic symbols.

His expression grew increasingly solemn as he read, red-gold eyes reflecting the candlelight.

"Where exactly did you say you found this?"

"Tucked inside the book, right where the appendix was torn out." Kane leaned forward.

"What does it say?"