"It is a sanctuary for me and mine," Arkady said quietly, and his arm moved to let his lacquered nails glide across the small of Adair's spine before his hand rested there, such a small and simple gesture that radiated with such meaning. She stood beside him then, not as far in his shadow as she'd been, and he leaned ever so subtly toward her, signifying their bond.
"Your sire and I spoke many times at length," he told Dasha with a calm little hint of a smile, gracious as ever. "He knew of the demise of my family, and he knew of my desire to build a new one. By embracing such diversity, I've been able to put together what is truly a haven, a sanctuary for those of us who are persecuted and hunted for our very natures. There are daywalkers and nightwalkers, neutral, chaotic, and good all living in one place," he said with an arched brow. "It enables us the freedom we've always desired and the security we've always deserved."
His hand slid up Adair's back to give an affectionate stroke to those fiery strands, his eyes lingering on Dasha for a moment.
"And you? Are you here to propose yourself a space in our family?"