Page 36 of The Demon's Secret Baby

She leans into me, her warmth a stark contrast to the cool air around us. "I never thought I'd find beauty in a place like this," she admits. "But here we are."

I tilt her chin up, meeting her gaze. "Here we are indeed. Who would have thought a demon and a human could make such an adorable little sorcerer?"

Zylpha smirks. "Well, with your looks and my brains, how could he not be exceptional?"

I feign offense, clutching my chest dramatically. "Are you implying I lack intelligence, Sunshine?"

"Never," she says, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "Just that I have enough for both of us."

I can't help but laugh, the sound echoing through the garden. It's moments like these, filled with love and gentle teasing, that make all the hardships we've faced worth it.

18

ZYLPHA

Ismooth down my dress, nervously adjusting the neckline. The candlelight flickers across the table, casting warm shadows over the carefully prepared meal. Volezimir enters, his massive frame filling the doorway. My heart skips a beat, just like it did the first time I saw him.

"Sunshine," he rumbles, a smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "What's all this?"

I gesture for him to sit. "I thought we could use some time alone."

He settles into the chair across from me, his golden eyes studying my face. We've been spending time around each other since our reunion but it feels like there's something keeping us from fully reconnecting…

Probably because we are both worried about waking up from this dream and finding it's not real. So right now, we just want to be happy, to keep everything light. And in all of it, it's making me still miss him.

"How are you adjusting?" Volezimir asks, reaching for his goblet.

I take a deep breath. "It's been... overwhelming. But wonderful too. Having Kaelox here, safe... I can finally breathe easy."

Volezimir nods, his expression softening. "He's an incredible child. You did an amazing job with him, under impossible circumstances."

"It was terrifying," I admit, the words tumbling out. "Giving birth on that ship, hiding him, keeping him safe... There were days I thought we wouldn't make it." It's the first time I've said it, but I'm tired of holding back.

I want all of him. So I have to give him all of me, too.

Volezimir's hand covers mine, his touch gentle despite his immense strength. "But you did. You're both here now."

I turn my hand, interlacing our fingers. "What about you? All those years searching..."

He's quiet for a moment, his thumb tracing circles on my skin. "I never gave up hope. But there were dark times. I questioned everything – my abilities, my purpose. Finding you and Kaelox... it's given me new life."

"Kaelox," I say softly. "I was worried... I mean, I wasn't sure how demon culture would be. A half-human child..."

Volezimir's eyes flash. "He's my son," he says fiercely. "I couldn't be prouder. To have a child with you, Sunshine... it's more than I ever dared hope for."

I swallow hard. "I was worried… Well, we didn't really know each other…"

"That doesn't matter," he says firmly, squeezing my hand.

"It doesn't?"

He shakes his head. "No. I don't care how long we knew each other. I know your soul, Zylpha. And I knew that I couldn't just let you go."

"But we never talked about having kids. It's not like we were expecting that. I wasn't sure if you even wanted?—"

"Zylpha." He stops me. "I could not ask for more. I have you. I have an incredible son. I don't want you to worry about how I feel because the second I saw him, I knew he was mine and I was filled with absolute joy."

Tears prick at my eyes. "Really?"

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