Page 22 of Nanny for the Demon's Twins

They join hands, their magic immediately sparking between them. Above our heads, the thaliverns and flowers multiply, creating a canopy of shifting colors. A few strands of magic escape their control, zipping past us to knock over a display of charms.

Karn releases my hands to catch the falling pieces. He sets them aside quickly, his fingers brushing mine as he steadies me, making sure I don't stumble. "Perhaps we should take a break before we knock everything off the shelves."

"But it's dance time!" Luna protests.

"The kitchen has cookies," I counter, knowing their weakness.

Nova's eyes light up. "The ones with sparkly sugar?"

"If you help clean up the magic first."

The twins wave their hands, dissolving their magical creations into shimmering dust that settles on everything - including Karn's beard. He runs a hand through it, sending tiny sparkles floating through the air.

"Oh, that is a perfect addition," I tease as I look at him.

Karn shakes his head, sending another shower of glitter through the air. The smile lingers on his face, softening the sharp angles of his jaw and the stern set of his brow. Even the scar above his eye seems less harsh when his whole face lights up like this.

"Kitchen," he rumbles. "I'll get started on this mess before the glitter multiplies."

Luna races for the door, her copper curls bouncing. "Race you!"

"No running!" Karn and I call out in unison. Our eyes meet, and his smile widens just a fraction.

"I've got this." He gestures to the floor. "If you want to go help them with the cookies."

"Of course." I turn, going toward the kitchen even though I don't want to leave him.

My fingers brush the flower crown still nestled in my hair, feeling the delicate metalwork he added. The magic tingles against my skin - warm and protective, just like him.

Every day I notice new things about him: the gentle way he handles the twins despite his intimidating size, how his violet eyes soften when they master a new spell, the quiet strength in everything he does.

This feeling settles in my chest - warm and terrifying and wonderful all at once. How natural it feels to call out warnings about running, to know exactly which cookies they prefer, to catch Karn's eye across the room and share a silent laugh at their antics. How easy it is to forget I wasn't always here, wasn't always part of this little family they're creating.

How long will it be until I’m not?

9

KARN

Idrag my hand across my face, grimacing at the sparkles that still cling to my fingers. Two hours of scrubbing, and that damned glitter still shows up everywhere. Magic can't even seem to get rid of it. At least the living room is finally back to normal - or as normal as it can be with twin demon toddlers around.

The house falls quiet as I make my way down the hall, checking each room. No giggling, no explosions of color, no floating toys. Strange. Usually the twins are still awake at this hour, plotting their next adventure - or begging for bedtime stories at the least.

I pause at the entrance to my office. The sight stops me cold.

Mira lies stretched across the worn leather couch, her long dark hair spilling over the armrest. Luna's curled against her chest, tiny fingers tangled in Mira's dress, while Nova's tucked into the crook of her arm. A leather-bound book of fairy tales rests on the floor, probably slipped from Mira's grasp when sleep took her.

My chest tightens. The three of them look... right together. Peaceful. Mira's face has lost that guarded expression she usually wears, replaced by a gentle smile even in sleep.

She's beautiful.

It's a thought that has been creeping in more and more lately, but I can't stop myself from thinking it now. The sight of her nearly takes my breath away every day…

And I'm not sure what I'm supposed to do about that feeling.

Or the way warmth floods me when I see her caring for my girls. The twins press close to her warmth like they've found their place in the world. I almost hate to move them, but I know I should get everyone in their beds.

I ease Luna into my arms first, her copper curls tickling my chin. She mumbles something about sparkly dragons but doesn't wake. Nova follows, a bit trickier to extract from Mira's embrace without disturbing either of them. The twins' room is only a short walk, and I've had plenty of practice moving them without waking them.

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