Page 31 of The Demon's Secret Baby

As June releases me, her gaze falls on Kaelox. Her eyes widen, darting between the child and Volezimir. "Is this...?"

I nod, gently urging Kaelox forward. "This is our son, Kaelox."

Lamain kneels, bringing himself to eye level with the boy. "Hello, young one. Welcome to Aurelius."

Kaelox, usually shy around strangers, surprises me by stepping forward. "Are you the Prince from Mama's stories?"

A chuckle escapes Lamain's lips. "I suppose I am. Your mother told you about us?"

I swallow hard, memories of countless nights whispering tales of Aurelius flooding back. "Every day. It kept us going."

June's hand finds mine, squeezing gently. "Zylpha, what happened? We searched for so long..."

I take a deep breath, steeling myself. "It's a long story. We were captured by a minotaur Captain, forced to work on his ship. I... I found out I was pregnant shortly after."

Volezimir's arm tightens around me, a low growl rumbling in his chest. I lean into him, drawing strength from his presence.

"We're just so relieved you're safe," June says, her eyes brimming with tears. "Both of you. And to think, we have a new little one in our midst!"

Lamain nods solemnly. "You've been through so much, Zylpha. Know that you're home now. You and Kaelox are safe here."

I feel a weight lifting from my shoulders, years of tension finally beginning to uncoil. "Thank you," I whisper, my voice thick with emotion. "It's good to be home."

"You need rest," June says.

Lamain turns around, starting down the path. "I'll show you the way. We have some open houses."

I take in the changes of the island as we walk. It's expanded, the island thriving like a small city. I'm in awe, especially as we stop below a gorgeous two story home.

"You can stay here. We'll send some food your way."

Volezimir claps Lamain on the shoulder. "Thank you, friend."

He nods. "I'm glad that you all are back. And safe."

And with that, he leaves, Kaelox already falling asleep in my arms. I haven't been ready to let him go, yet. There's too much change.

I follow Volezimir into the cozy treehouse, my heart fluttering with a mix of exhaustion and excitement. After years of dreaming about this moment, it feels surreal to be alone with him again.

I settle Kaelox into a nearby room. He doesn't even stir as I tuck him in, and for the first time in his life, I leave him in the room alone and meet Volezimir in the other bedroom.

"I can't believe we're really here," I murmur, running my fingers along the smooth wooden walls.

Volezimir turns to me, his golden eyes soft in the dim lamplight. "Neither can I, Sunshine. I never stopped searching for you."

That word…it twists up my insides in the best way.

We stand there awkwardly for a minute, and then I clear my throat. It's not like when I left we were that close…but I'm glad that he cared for me as much as I did for him. Evident in the way he searched for me.

"Lamain just assumed—" he starts, already shifting back.

"Stay with me," I whisper. I can already tell what he's going to say, and I don't care. I don't care that we've never spent the night together. I don't care that we haven't seen each other in five years.

I want his arms wrapped around me while I sleep. I want him protecting me all night. And I want him right next to me when our son wakes up and wants to lay with us.

He reaches out and cups my face. "I'm not going anywhere."

But as he begins to undress for bed, my breath catches. A jagged scar runs from his rib cage to his knee, the tissue puckered and dark against his gray skin. How had I nevernoticed it before? I guess I'd only see him without clothes once and I was preoccupied at the time.

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