Page 51 of Nanny for the Demon's Twins

Except everything will give me away to him.

The storage room door feels heavier than usual as I push it open. Violet eyes snap to me immediately. Karn's hands still on his work, the metal cooling on his anvil. His jaw tightens, and his eyes scan over me. It's only a second before he shuts down the shop and makes me confess.

I turn away before he can speak. "Luna, Nova! Who's ready for afternoon snacks?"

"Me!" Luna bounces up from their play corner, copper curls wild around her face. "Can we have honey bread?"

Nova looks up from her wooden blocks, more reserved but equally hopeful. "With milk?"

"Of course, little stars." My voice nearly cracks on the endearment. I memorize the way Luna's eyes crinkle when she smiles. The slight furrow in Nova's brow as she carefully puts away each block, so much like her uncle.

"Race you upstairs!" Luna grabs her sister's hand.

"No running on the stairs," I call after them, but they're already halfway up, their giggles echoing through the workshop.

I follow, keeping my eyes forward even as I feel Karn's gaze burning into my back. One foot in front of the other. Don't look back. Don't let him see how my hands tremble.

"Mira-" His deep voice stops me at the base of the stairs.

"The girls need their snack." I climb faster, blinking back tears. "They get cranky if they wait too long."

I reach the top step just as Nova calls down, "Hurry, Mama! I'm hungry!"

The title pierces my heart like a blade. I pause, gripping the railing to steady myself. Six months of coming to love them as my own, and now...

"Coming, sweethearts." I force brightness into my tone. "Let's see what we can find in the kitchen."

21

KARN

Iclimb the stairs from my workshop, my muscles aching from a long day of metalwork. The scent of roasted meat and herbs fills the air, but something feels off. Usually by now the twins would be racing down to tackle me, their squeals echoing through the house.

The kitchen is unnaturally quiet. Mira stands at the stove, stirring a pot with mechanical movements. Her green eyes are distant, fixed on some point beyond the wall.

"Smells good." I run a hand through my hair, loosening it from its leather tie. "Everything alright?"

She startles, the wooden spoon clattering against the pot. "Oh! I didn't hear you come up." A forced smile crosses her face. "Just lost in thought."

I nod, not feeling convinced. But if Mira doesn't want to talk to me then I won't force her. Maybe it needs to wait until the girls are in bed. Instead, I turn my attention to the twins.

Nova and Luna sit at the table, pushing bread around their plates instead of creating their usual chaos. No sparkles dance in the air, no transformed objects trying to escape. Even their copper curls seem subdued.

"What's wrong with my little troublemakers?" I crouch between their chairs, touching each of their heads. "No magic tricks today?"

Luna just shrugs, while Nova leans into my touch without speaking. It makes my chest pinch with worry.

"I think everyone is tired." Mira's voice wavers slightly as she sets a plate in front of me. Her fingers brush my shoulder, but she pulls back quickly.

I catch her wrist before she can retreat, careful to avoid the brand I know marks her skin. "You too?" Her pulse races under my thumb.

"Yeah." She tugs free, busying herself with wiping down already clean counters. "Just one of those days, I suppose."

The twins exchange a look I can't decipher. There's clearly something going on, but trying to get a straight answer out of any of them right now feels like trying to forge cold metal.

Dinner is completely silent. The twins pick at their food, taking tiny bites only when Mira gently reminds them. No floating spoons or magically color-changing vegetables tonight - just the soft clink of silverware against plates.

And I hate it.

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