Page 35 of Nanny for the Minotaur

I lean into her touch, drawn by the warmth radiating from her small frame. She steps between my knees, tilting my face up to examine her handiwork. The size difference between us should make me feel monstrous, but somehow she makes me feel... cherished.

"Your ribs need tending too," she whispers, fingers trailing down to the buttons of my shirt.

I catch her hands, pressing a kiss to each palm. "Lyra..."

She meets my gaze steadily, unflinching. "Let me take care of you, Theron."

The last of my resistance crumbles. I stand, sweeping her into my arms as I rise. Her surprised laugh warms something deep in my chest as I carry her toward my chambers. There's only one thing I need right now and it's her.

18

LYRA

The sound of a crash followed by a terrified scream sends me sprinting from the kitchen. My heart pounds as I race through the manor's halls, herbal tea splashing from the cup I'd been preparing for Mira's afternoon treatment.

I round the corner to find them at the bottom of the grand staircase. Kai's lanky body curls protectively around his sister, his black fur matted with sweat. One arm juts out at an unnatural angle beneath him. Mira's silver-white fur trembles against his chest, her tiny form completely engulfed by her brother's protective embrace.

"Don't move!" I drop beside them, hands hovering as I assess the damage. "What happened?"

"I wanted to help her exercise." Kai's voice breaks, blue eyes wide with panic. "Like you do with her. But I-I tried to carry her down like Father does and—" His words cut off in a pained gasp.

"It's my fault." Mira's amber eyes fill with tears. "I asked him to pick me up. I wanted to be tall like everyone else."

"Shh, neither of you are at fault." I gently begin separating them, noting how Kai winces but refuses to release his sisteruntil I've checked her over first. "Mira, can you wiggle your toes for me? Any pain?"

She demonstrates perfect movement, though her breaths come quick and shallow. The fall clearly scared her more than it hurt her.

Kai's broken arm becomes fully visible as I help Mira stand. The sight makes my stomach clench - a clean break through both forearm bones. Yet he'd somehow managed to twist mid-fall to take the brunt of the impact, protecting his sister despite his own injury.

"I'm sorry." His serious little face crumples. "I just wanted to help like you do. To make you proud."

"Oh, sweetheart." I brush his dark hair back from his forehead. "I'm already proud of how you look after your sister. But next time, let's stick to the exercises I've shown you, okay?"

The manor's massive front door crashes open just as I'm finishing my preliminary examination of Kai's arm.

"What happened?" Theron's heavy footsteps thunder across the marble floor. His imposing frame fills the entryway, amber eyes wild as they lock onto his children at the bottom of the grand staircase.

Then he freezes. His massive shoulders go rigid, muscles tensing beneath his tailored dark jacket. The rings in his horns catch the afternoon light as he stares at the scene before him, chest heaving with rapid breaths.

"Father?" Kai's voice wavers.

The word seems to snap something in Theron. His jaw clenches, nostrils flaring as he takes a halting step forward. Another. Then stops again, his powerful frame trembling.

I recognize the signs of panic taking hold. I can't imagine how many times he's seen Mira collapsed and fear it would be her last. I can't fathom the terror that grips him - even now, probablyworse after the hope he'd never come home to something like this again.

But they will both be alright. I just need him to see that, to distract him from that fear.

"Theron." I keep my voice steady, pitched low like I use to calm spooked animals. "I need you to come hold Kai still while I set his arm. Can you do that for me?"

His amber eyes lock onto mine, desperate for direction.

"Just here." I pat the spot beside me. "Kneel down and brace his shoulders."

The familiar task of protecting his child breaks through his paralysis. He moves with sudden purpose, dropping to his knees beside us. His large hands engulf Kai's slim shoulders, steadying him.

"Like this?"

"Perfect." I nod, maintaining eye contact. "Now keep him still. This will hurt, but it needs to be done quickly."

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