Page 40 of Nanny for the Demon's Twins

"Tomorrow," he rumbles, then winks at them. "Besides, your mama might want help in the garden."

The way he says 'mama' makes my chest tight. I lean into his solid warmth, savoring how natural it feels. His violet eyes soften as they meet mine, and I see none of the cruelty I'd been taught to expect from demons. Just tenderness. Protection. Something deeper that makes my pulse race.

"Gonna need to head down soon," he murmurs, but his arm wraps around my waist, contradicting his words.

"I know." I trace the burn scars on his forearm, mapping each mark of his craft. "The forge won't run itself."

Luna floats a piece of sweet roll across the table, clearly trying to sneak more food. Karn snatches it mid-air without looking. "Nice try, little spark."

She giggles, not even pretending to be sorry. Nova rolls her eyes at her sister's antics, but I catch her eyeing the remaining rolls too.

When Karn finally stands, the loss of his warmth is physical. He presses a kiss to my temple, then ruffles each twin's hair before heading for the door. The sight of this fierce demon being so gentle with us fills me with a warmth I never expected to feel again.

I'm falling for him. The realization doesn't terrify me like it should. Instead, it feels right.

I spend the morning in a pleasant haze, my thoughts drifting to Karn even as I help the twins clean sticky honey from their faces and hands.

"Mama, you're humming," Nova points out as we gather baskets for the garden.

I hadn't realized. The melody dies in my throat, old habits of staying quiet rising up. But Luna's face falls at the silence, so I force myself to continue the tune.

The garden welcomes us with the scent of herbs and warm earth. Through the open workshop windows, I hear the rhythmic clang of Karn's hammer, the sound oddly comforting. The twins "help" me weed - which mostly involves Nova changing the color of the vegetables while Luna makes the pulled weeds dance through the air.

"Uncle Karn likes when you sing," Nova says suddenly, her tiny hands covered in dirt.

"Does he?" Heat floods my cheeks.

Luna nods enthusiastically. "He smiles real big when you do."

The thought of Karn watching me, smiling at my voice, makes my stomach flutter. I catch myself staring at the workshop windows more than the garden beds.

By late afternoon, I'm practically vibrating with anticipation at seeing Karn again — as if I don't see him every day. I start dinner early, choosing his favorite spices for the roasted meat. The twins help set the table, though Luna's floating plates nearly crash twice.

"Need more salt," Nova declares, reaching for the jar.

"Don't you dare change its color again." I catch her hand just in time.

Heavy footsteps on the stairs make my heart leap. Karn appears in the doorway, still in his work clothes, earlier than usual. His violet eyes lock onto mine with an intensity that steals my breath.

"Couldn't focus," he rumbles, crossing to me in two long strides. With the twins just out of sight, his hand cups my cheek, work-roughened fingers gentle against my skin. "Kept thinking about you."

My heart stumbles, and I blush, looking away as Luna screams for me. "Go wash up," I whisper. And then, even though my brain is screaming at me not to, I add, "I thought about you too."

He's not gone long, and by the time I'm done setting the table, Karn is there helping me into my chair. I sit close enough to Karn that our thighs press together under the table. His heat bleeds through my dress, making it hard to focus on my food. When he reaches for his cup, his knuckles brush my arm. The contact sends tingles across my skin.

Luna chatters about the garden vegetables she made float today while Nova pushes her food around her plate, studying us with those observant eyes she got from her mother.

Karn's hand finds my knee under the table, and I nearly drop my fork. His thumb traces small circles that make my breath catch.

"Uncle Karn?" Nova's voice cuts through my Karn-induced haze.

"Hmm?" He takes a bite of meat, his hand never leaving my leg.

"How come your heart goes boom-boom faster when Mama's near?"

I inhale sharply, choking on my mouthful of food. Beside me, Karn coughs violently, his hand clenching on my knee.

Luna perks up. "Ooh, it's doing it again! Really fast now!"

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