Page 7 of Finding Closure

“I fully understand andagree,” Claudia said firmly, probably worried about whatever she was sensing off of me.

Mostly worry.

“I saw this coming,agra,” Darby said gently, nodding when I did a double take. “They see Freya more than I do, and I live here too and at school like Izzy. More than that, they are fully invested in her life and future. I still have—I see too much of the past still when I focus on her. I hate that, and I don’t want it for her.” He leaned in and kissed my cheek.

He wanted to focus on our future.

I smiled at him. “I support whatever you guys want. If you wanted me to fight for Freya to stay in the castle with us, I would.”

“No, I don’t want that, and I also agree with the commanders on how people would take it. They barely accept me, but for their queen to raise a vampire that’s not her child, and—I don’t want that boat rocked. I believe Freya is a good enough soul that she will agree when she’s older.”

“And I would prefer she not deal with the scrutiny it would mean for her,” Izzy said quietly. “This world is harsh enough. It will be for her as things are, but she’s not a newborn anymore. And she’s still…”

I flinched at what I heard from her mind. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for things to turn out this way or—”

“I was trying to think of a better way to say it, Tams,” Izzy said gently. “She’s not locked up here. That’s too harsh. And Darby is the one in charge of her, so it’s not your fault.”She shared a look with Claudia. “We’re worried that she’ll have issues if she doesn’t start getting proper socialization.”

“And we don’t think her current nanny is up for that,” Claudia added. She cleared her throat when I winced. “I asked the fairies guarding the property to put them in a bubble for a bit. We can hear anything, but they can’t hear us.”

Good.

“You think her nanny is underqualified?” I asked, worried because we’d gone through alotto find the right people.

“No, we think she’s gotten lazy and fat off such a nice gig,” Izzy grumbled. “She acts like she doesn’t have to put in more effort than simply the basics since—she makes comments like she watches the dirty secret and bastard even if she doesn’t say it like that.”

“That’snotwhat—I was worried people would think Darby and I had a baby and we agreed not to—”

“You can’t have a baby yet,” Darby cut in.

I gave him the look he deserved. “How many fucking people have ignored that truth. Or just brushed it off because my father’s a demigod who too many supes say is a human lying that he’s a demigod and that’s why I’m weak and unworthy to be queen.”

“Okay, forget the delulu people,” Izzy cut in. “We get it. This isnotsome roast or—we’re focused on the future.” She was begging me with her eyes to believe her and not let this hurt me.

I nodded. “Okay, we can always do better, and I can more than admit that the ball has been dropped. Lots of them have because of all we have.”

“So you want a new nanny?” Darby checked.

“Yes, we want to live here with Freya and be more involved,” Izzy said firmly. “Auntie’s or whatever—”

“She calls you Momma most days, Isabella,” Claudia reminded her.

But that was news to me… And Izzy blushed, clearly loving it. Wow, I had been completely oblivious to all of this.

“There’s no reason she can’t, right?” I asked Darby, hating to be pushy or overstep, but… It was Izzy. I’d give her a wing if she needed it.

“No, but—the problem is five steps ahead of where we are,” Darby said with a sigh. “Vampires know about Freya and—”

“Wait, what does that matter?” I cut in, glancing between them. “It’s not like they’re talking about fostering Freya.” I frowned. “Are you?”

“That’s what being her guardian would mean even if Darby is in the picture,” Izzy hedged. “His place is with you in Faerie. Freya’s place isn’t there and she doesn’t really have one.” She gestured between herself and Claudia. “We want to be her place. Here, but with us.”

I sat back in my chair heavily. “You’re such a fucking adult.” I winced at how bad that sounded. “I mean…”

She nodded. “Yeah, I know, Tams. We blinked and you’re twenty-five and about to be queen of a different world. I’m twenty-four and found my dream woman and we want to protect a child, be her moms mostly. We’re not those twits anymore, are we?”

“No, I guess not,” I chuckled, tears in my voice, glad she was the same. “You’re going to make a great mom, Izzy. Hell, you raised me well.”

It was the joke and laugh we needed.

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