Page 20 of Nanny for the Demon's Twins

"The wobble adds character," Mira says, her smile finally reaching her eyes.

And looking at the three of them, tired but smiling and safe, something in my chest loosens. Maybe I'm not just a big scary demon after all.

8

MIRA

Isit cross-legged on the floor with Nova and Luna, their copper curls glowing in the afternoon sunlight streaming through the shop windows. We've been practicing simple songs all morning, their sweet voices joining mine in nursery rhymes.

"Let's try the thalivern song again," I suggest, smoothing my skirt. "Remember the words?"

Nova's violet eyes light up. "The pretty one about colors!"

"Flutter high, flutter low," I begin, my voice soft but clear. The twins join in, their tiny hands moving in excitement.

"Through the garden watch them go. Yellow, blue, and purple bright-"

A burst of sparkling lights erupts above our heads as Luna waves her arms. Shimmering thaliverns in the exact colors from the song materialize, their magical wings casting rainbow reflections across the wooden floor.

"Luna!" I gasp, but can't help smiling at her proud grin.

Not to be outdone, Nova furrows her brow in concentration. The magical thaliverns transform, their wings growing larger, smaller, then swirling into different patterns.

"Red and orange in the light," we continue singing. More colors bloom overhead, the twins' magic feeding off each other. Luna adds glittering trails behind each thalivern while Nova makes them dance in perfect circles.

"Through the flowers, watch them play," I sing, trying to keep them focused on the actual song rather than their impromptu light show. But Nova has other ideas. She claps her hands and the thaliverns dive down, weaving between us. One lands on my nose, its wings cool and ticklish against my skin.

"Again!" Luna bounces on her knees. "More colors!"

"Maybe we should take a break-" The words barely leave my mouth before both girls launch into the song again, their enthusiasm making up for any missed notes. This time, their magic creates not just thaliverns but blooming flowers that float through the air, petals shimmering with inner light.

I watch them work their magic, their faces scrunched in concentration even as they sing. Nova carefully crafts each detail while Luna adds wild bursts of color and light, their different personalities clear in how they shape their power.

A flower crown materializes above my head, woven from their magical blooms. It settles gently in my hair as the twins beam at their handiwork.

Lost in the moment with the twins' magical display, I don't notice the heavy footsteps behind me. A deep voice joins our song, rich and resonant, weaving perfectly with my melody.

"Dancing through the summer sky, thaliverns bid the world goodbye..."

I startle, twisting around to find Karn standing in the doorway at the top of the stairs, his violet eyes reflecting the magical lights above us. His forge-stained apron is still tied around his waist, and there's a smudge of soot across his cheek that makes him look younger somehow.

The twins squeal in delight. "Uncle Karn! Look what we made!"

Karn raises one hand, copper-red hair gleaming as he adds his own magic to their creation. The floating flowers and thaliverns pulse with deeper colors, taking on a metallic sheen. Each thalivern's wings now shimmer like polished silver, while the petals gain delicate filigree patterns.

"Beautiful work, little stars." His gruff voice carries such tenderness. He steps closer, and I catch the scent of smoke and metal that always surrounds him. "But what's this about making crowns without me?"

Luna bounces up. "Mira needs pretty things!"

"Does she now?" His gaze meets mine, a slight smile playing at the corners of his mouth. He lifts his hands again, and thin strands of magical metal weave through my flower crown, securing the blooms with intricate metalwork that catches the light.

Nova tugs at his apron. "Make one for Luna too!"

"And Nova!" Luna adds, not to be forgotten.

Karn chuckles, the sound rumbling deep in his chest. He crouches down beside us, his broad shoulders blocking the sunlight as he crafts two smaller crowns with a mix of metal and magic. The twins' power reaches out to tangle with his, adding their own sparkle and color to his more structured spellwork.

"Dance!" Luna shouts once their crowns are complete, starting to spin in a circle. "Like the thaliverns!"

---