Page 14 of Nanny for the Demon's Twins

"Uncle Karn's staring," Nova stage-whispers to Luna, making Mira stumble mid-reach.

I clear my throat. "Just making sure no one breaks anything." The words come out gruffer than intended.

"We're being careful!" Luna waves her arms, accidentally sending a zynthra straight for my head. I catch it before it can connect.

"Very careful," I say dryly, but can't help smiling when Mira muffles a snort behind her hand.

She catches my eye across the chaos, and for a moment everything else fades away. The warmth in my chest spreads, settling deep in my bones like the comfort of a forge fire on a cold day.

A zynthra bouncing off my nose breaks the spell.

"Got you!" Nova claps her hands in delight, and all the vegetables still airborne drop at once. Mira's quick reflexes save the pot from a direct hit by a particularly enthusiastic quillnash.

We manage to make it through dinner and bathtime without another incident - or as little as can be expected with two demon two year olds. I take up my post at the door after, watching as Mira tells a new bedtime story about vegetables attacking a castle.

I lean against the doorframe, watching Mira tuck the blankets around each girl. Her movements are precise but tender, smoothing wrinkles and adjusting pillows until everything's just right.

"Another story?" Luna asks through a yawn, her copper curls spread across the pillow like a fan.

"Tomorrow, little light." Mira kisses her forehead. "Sleep now."

Nova reaches up with grabby hands. "Kiss for me too."

"Of course." Mira obliges, then brushes Nova's matching curls back from her face. "Sweet dreams."

"Mira?" Luna's violet eyes are heavy with sleep, but her voice carries that particular tone that means she's working up to something important.

"Yes?"

"Are you staying with us forever?"

My breath catches. The question I've been too much of a coward to ask myself hangs in the air. The house feels different with her here - warmer somehow, more complete. The thought of going back to fumbling through each day alone, of the twins losing another person they love...

"I..." Mira's hand stills on Nova's blanket. Even from here, I can see the slight tremor in her fingers.

Nova's eyes open fully. "Please stay. You make the best stories. And Uncle Karn smiles more."

Heat creeps up my neck at that observation. Leave it to a two-year-old to lay bare what I've been trying to ignore.

Mira's shoulders tense, and I recognize the look that crosses her face - like a trapped animal searching for escape routes. The same expression she wore when she first stumbled into my forge, desperate and haunted.

I want to step in, to tell the twins not to pressure her. But I find myself frozen, heart pounding as I wait for her answer. When did her presence become as essential as the air in my lungs?

"I hope to be here for a while longer," she finally whispers.

And I turn away, ignoring the stab of disappointment at her words.

6

MIRA

The floorboards creak under my feet as I make my way down the darkened hallway. After putting the twins to bed, I couldn't sleep. I'm not even sure why when I'm normally exhausted after a day of chasing the two demon twins around.

But it seems I'm not the only one. A warm glow spills from beneath Karn's study door.

I pause at the threshold, my hand hovering over the handle. Through the gap, I catch glimpses of movement - floating needles dancing through the air, weaving delicate patterns in violet fabric that matches the twins' eyes.

Karn sits in his oversized leather chair, his broad frame somehow making the furniture seem small. His violet eyes are fixed on the magical needles as they work, his usual stern expression softened in concentration.

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