"Fuck." I run a hand through my hair, loosening strands from their tie. "Moving too fast?"

But the band calls to me, and my hands return to their work. I can just finish it and hold on to it.

The metal flows under my touch, taking shape like it knows its purpose. I infuse each fold with protection spells, weaving them so fine they'll never fade. My demon magic burns violet around the edges, marking this as more than just jewelry.

I shape delicate curves into the silver, matching the flow of Mira's movement when she dances with the girls. The design emerges under my hands - not the traditional demon knots my family would expect, but something uniquely hers. Free. Unbound. Protected.

"Never letting anyone cage you again." The words come out as a growl, and I pour that promise into the metal.

The morning bleeds into afternoon as I work. I force myself to move on from Mira's pieces while I let my mind ruminate over what it means that I am even making them for her.

My hands shape metal into daggers, shields, and ornate pieces, but my eyes keep drifting to Mira's gifts. The mating band catches the forge light, throwing silver sparks across my workbench.

What would she think if she knew I had made them? The thought nags as I hammer a sword into shape. We've shared meals, stories, beds. Shared our lives. The twins adore her. But demons mate for life, and humans...

The blade warps under my distracted hands. "Shit." I toss it back in the forge, watching the metal glow.

A merchant needs his protection charms by sunset. I force myself to focus on the intricate spellwork, weaving demon magic through the metal. But even as I work, memories surface - Mira teaching Nova to braid hair, Luna falling asleep in her lap, the way she hums while cooking.

The way she fits against me.

"Fuck it." I snap the merchant's box closed. The charms are done, along with three swords and a ceremonial dagger. Good enough. I leave them out for him to pick up and shut down the forge.

Eager to get back to my girls, I take the stairs two at a time, following the sound of laughter. Mira stands at the kitchen counter, flour dusting her cheek as she helps the twins "cook." My chest tightens at the sight.

She turns, smile brightening. I catch her waist, pulling her close for a kiss that tastes like sugar and possibility. We hadn't discussed if we would tell the girls, but given how easily Nova's magic reads us it's pointless to hide it. Her fingers trace my jaw, leaving floury prints.

"Missed you too." She laughs against my lips.

"Going to clean up." I rest my forehead against hers, breathing her in. "Save some of whatever you're making for me."

"If the twins don't eat it all first."

I shower quickly, scrubbing away soot and sweat. Maybe I just need to talk to Mira, see if she's interested in something like mating. It's not like we've really addressed the trauma she carries.

But I see it easing a bit day by day.

Clean and changed, I find the girls sprawled in the living room. Luna's showing off her latest magical creation - floating sparkles that rain down like stars. And these miraculously don't dissolve into glitter and stick to me. Thank the Seven. Nova's attempting to change their color, tongue stuck out in concentration.

"Uncle Karn, look!" Luna waves, sending glitter everywhere.

I drop onto the floor beside them, catching Nova as she launches herself at me. "Beautiful, little star."

Mira touches my shoulder as she passes. "My turn to clean up. Make sure they don't turn the ceiling purple again."

The twins exchange a look that says that's exactly what they were planning. I grab them both, tickling until they shriek with laughter. Their magic sparkles around us, painting the room in joy.

Once Mira disappears, I pull the twins closer. "Hey stars, can I ask you something?"

Luna bounces in my lap while Nova settles against my chest. "Purple ceiling was not our fault."

"No, it's about Mira." I clear my throat. This is probably a terrible idea. "How would you feel if she stayed with us forever?"

Nova's eyes go wide. "Like in the stories?"

"Yeah, like that. If I asked her to…be my princess."

Luna jumps up, her copper curls bouncing. "With a pretty ring? And flowers? And-" Her excitement triggers her magic, sending sparkles shooting across the room.