Page 24 of Nanny for the Demon's Twins

Once they are somewhat settled, we slip out of their room, leaving the door cracked. The moment we're in the hall, Mira's shoulders start shaking. A snort escapes her lips.

"Your eyebrows..." She covers her mouth, but her eyes dance with mirth.

I cross my arms, trying to look stern, but her laugh is infectious. "Think it's funny, do you?"

"You should see your face." She reaches up, brushing ash from my cheek. The touch sends a shock through my skin. "You look like you stuck your head in the forge."

"Wouldn't be the first time." I catch her hand before she can pull away. Her palm is soft against my calloused fingers.

Our earlier tension crackles between us. Her smile fades to something softer, more intimate. For a moment, I think about pulling her close, finishing what we started...

A thump from the twins' room breaks the spell. Mira steps back, tucking her hair behind her ear.

"I should get some sleep." She glances up through her lashes. "Goodnight, Karn."

"Goodnight." I watch her disappear into her room, the gentle click of her door echoing in the quiet hall. My fingers still tingle where they touched her skin.

Dammit. I'm in trouble.

10

MIRA

Ican tell instantly that the twins aren't awake when I come out of my room, which is the first sign that makes me start to worry. As soon as I push the door open, I see why.

Sweat beads on Luna's forehead as she thrashes in her small bed, copper curls plastered to her temples. My heart races when I touch her burning skin. Nova whimpers in the adjacent bed, her own fever making the toy blocks spiral through the air like autumn leaves.

"Shh, it's okay." I fetch a cool cloth to press to Luna's face, dodging a floating pillow. The girls' magic has never acted this erratic before, at least not in sleep. "I'm right here."

A wooden zarryn crashes against the wall. I duck, scanning the room for more projectiles. Books flutter their pages, dolls dance in circles, and the curtains ripple despite the closed window. The chaos of their combined fevered magic fills the room with a wild energy that raises the hair on my arms.

Heavy footsteps thunder up the stairs. Karn bursts through the door, violet eyes wide as he takes in the scene. His massive frame fills the doorway, work apron still tied around his waist.

"What's happening?" His deep voice cracks with worry.

"They're burning up." I move to Nova, pressing my palm to her forehead. "Both of them, at the same time. And their magic?—"

A glass of water on the nightstand explodes, sending shards skittering across the floor. Karn crosses the room in two strides, gathering Luna into his arms. His rough hands turn gentle as he cradles her.

"Uncle Karn," she mumbles, burrowing into his chest.

"I'm here, little spark." He presses his lips to her temple, then looks at me. "We need to get a healer."

"How do I?—"

"I'll call one." He casts a wary look around the room, and I cross it.

"Go. I've got them." I take Luna from him, settling next to Nova so they're both within reach. "I promise."

I hold both girls close as Karn's footsteps fade down the stairs. The magical chaos continues around us - books flying, toys spinning, curtains whipping. I hum an old lullaby, one my mother used to sing, trying to soothe them through their fever dreams.

The wait feels endless before I hear voices approaching. Karn returns with a short, plump demon whose gray hair is twisted into elaborate braids. Her wrinkled face breaks into a warm smile despite the wooden block that nearly hits her head.

"Well now, this is quite the display." She sets her leather bag on the dresser, dodging another floating toy. "I'm Healer Zanul. How long have they been like this?"

"I found them this way this morning." I stroke Nova's damp curls. "The fever came on suddenly."

She approaches the bed, pressing weathered hands to each twin's forehead. "Ah, just as I suspected. Demon children often get these magical fevers around this age. Their bodies are adjusting to their growing powers."

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