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“You are humiliating me, our kingdom, and all of dwarven culture right now, Kazmyn,” Zaira moaned, covering her face.

“Fluffin Squad,” Hawl boomed out.

I looked at Blake.

“That’s not half-bad,” he muttered.

“We will accept Fluffin Squad,” I announced.

“I like it, too,” Visha admitted.

Neville’s ears must have been burning. He crept back into the circle, tongue lolling and tail wagging.

Blake reached down to scratch behind the fluffin’s ears. “You like that, Nev?”

Kazmyn snapped his fingers. “I’ve got it. The Purr Pack.”

“I like that less,” Hawl boomed. “But I will accept it.”

“The Paw-Sworn?” Kazmyn suggested. “Soft-Paw Patrol?”

I laughed. “I think we should stick with the Fluffin Squad for simplicity’s sake. But you and Rodriguez should definitely talk.”

Kazmyn perked up. “Oh, really?”

“Yes, he has a thing for acronyms,” Visha groaned. “I had to hear about it. Extensively.”

Kazmyn eyed her. “So, you and the professor … ?” He looked over at the tent that held Sankara and Rodriguez. “Like, both of them … or … ?”

“Or, none of your fucking business,” Visha snapped.

Kazmyn held up his hands. “Fluffin Squad it is.”

Zaira clenched her jaw. “You are all children.”

Blake snorted. “I think we just need to be able to laugh about something.”

“Yes. That reminds me, Zaira,” I said calmly. “Why did we need to bring Neville?”

Zaira was quiet. “We did not force the fluffin to come. He followed you.”

“But we need him, don’t we?” I prodded. “I think it’s time we had a chat.”

“Timing’s good,” Kazmyn said. “Looks like your professors are finished napping.”

Rodriguez and Sankara were emerging from their tent. I honestly couldn’t tell if Rodriguez’s hair was messier than it was when he went in, but he was definitely blushing.

“I was just telling our leading Emberwatch expert here,” I told Rodriguez, “that we all need to have a frank discussion about our plan now that we’re down here.”

Rodriguez frowned—as I’d known he would. “I wouldn’t say Zaira is the only Emberwatch expert.”

Visha rolled her eyes. “This should be good.”

I glanced at Blake. He nodded. “Zaira,” I said, “I think now might be a good time to tell you that Blake and I aren’t the idiots you seem to think we are.”

“Are you implying I’m an idiot?” Visha asked frostily.

“No,” I said quickly. “That’s not what I meant.” I looked at Blake helplessly.