Page 37 of Nanny for the Minotaur

The kiss is sweet, tender in a way that belies his imposing presence. A soft sound escapes him when I press closer, his fingers tightening in my hair.

A discrete cough breaks the moment. We spring apart to find Mrs. Bramble standing at the end of the hall, her expression carefully neutral despite the knowing glint in her eyes.

"Don't mind me," she says softly, though I swear I catch the hint of a smile as she turns away. "I was just coming to see if the children needed more tea. But I guess not!"

I fight back a giggle and Theron meets my eyes, chuckling. I feel like a child who has been caught, but it is a little funny.

"I'm going to check on them one more time," I say, and he nods, following me in.

Theron immediately goes to Kai's side, adjusting his arm. His movements are precise, gentle despite his size. The silver rings in his horns catch the lamplight as he smooths Kai's dark hair back, checking for fever.

Without speaking, I move to Mira's side. Her silver-white fur gleams in the dim light as I count her breaths, timing them against her pulse. The routine is familiar now, but something has shifted. Each time I glance up, I catch Theron watching me with those intense amber eyes.

We orbit each other like twin moons, our paths crossing and weaving as we tend to the children. When I reach for more pillows to elevate Kai's arm, Theron is already there, passing them to me. As he adjusts Mira's blankets, I'm ready with her favorite stuffed toy.

The silence between us holds no awkwardness, only understanding. Each shared look carries the weight of that kiss, of boundaries crossed and new possibilities blooming.

Standing in the doorway, I watch him make one final check of both beds. His broad shoulders block most of the view, but I can see how his large hands move with such care, how his usual gruff demeanor melts away when he thinks no one's watching.

He turns, amber eyes finding mine in the darkness. The space between us feels charged, electric with unspoken words. My copper braids brush his arm as he moves to stand beside me, close enough that I can feel the heat radiating from his fur.

Together we watch our sleeping charges - his children who've somehow become mine too, somewhere between healing sessions and bedtime stories. The realization settles in my chest like a warm stone. There's no going back to being just their healer, not when my heart has already claimed them as family.

Theron's hand finds mine in the darkness, engulfing it completely. His thumb traces gentle circles on my palm, and I lean into his solid presence, accepting this new reality we've created.

19

THERON

Rain lashes against the library windows, each flash of lightning casting dramatic shadows across the towering bookshelves. I sink deeper into my leather armchair, Mira's tiny form curled against my chest. Her silver-white fur gleams in the firelight as she clutches her favorite blanket, her amber eyes wide with each thunderclap.

"And then the brave healer ventured into the dark forest..." Lyra's voice carries through the room, her copper hair glowing like embers in the warm light. She sits cross-legged on the thick carpet, gesturing with animated hands as she weaves her tale.

Kai nestles against her side, his gangly limbs folded underneath him. My boy's face holds that serious expression he wears too often for a six-year-old, but there's a spark in those blue eyes I haven't seen before. His black fur matches mine, but the way he hangs on Lyra's every word - that's all his own.

"What happened next?" Mira's tiny voice pipes up as thunder shakes the manor. She burrows closer, her little hands gripping my shirt.

"The healer found a magical herb," Lyra continues, reaching out to smooth Kai's fur when he startles at a particularly loud crack. "Its leaves sparkled like starlight..."

My chest tightens watching them together. Lyra's presence fills a void I hadn't realized was there, her gentle authority drawing my children like moths to flame. She belongs here, among the leather-bound books and flickering candlelight, telling stories that chase away storm-shadows.

The fire pops, sending sparks dancing up the chimney. Kai's shoulders finally relax as Lyra's fingers card through his fur, his usual rigid posture melting away. Even I feel the tension easing from my muscles, lulled by her melodic voice and the steady drumming of rain.

"Papa, are you listening?" Mira peers up at me, her tiny nose scrunched.

"Every word, little one." I adjust her blanket, marveling at how perfectly she fits in my arms. Another flash illuminates the room, but this time neither child flinches - too absorbed in Lyra's storytelling to notice the storm's fury.

As Lyra's story winds down, Mrs. Bramble appears in the doorway, her silver bun gleaming in another flash of lightning. She balances a heavy tea tray with practiced ease.

"Thought we could all use something warm." She bustles in, clearing space on the side table. The familiar scent of spiced tea fills the air.

Lyra rises to help, our fingers brushing as we both reach for the pot. Heat rushes up my arm at the contact. Her green eyes meet mine, gold flecks dancing in the firelight, before she turns away to pour.

"Sugar for the little ones," Mrs. Bramble announces, dropping extra cubes into two smaller cups. She settles into her usual chair by the fire, smoothing her impeccable black dress. "Never seen weather like this in all my years here."

Mira scrambles down from my lap to accept her cup, careful not to spill as she's learned. Kai takes his with a polite "thank you," his serious expression softening when Lyra ruffles his fur.

"The perfect day for breaking routine." Lyra perches on the arm of my chair, close enough that her herb-scented braid tickles my shoulder. The casual intimacy of it steals my breath.

---