Page 57 of Nanny for the Minotaur

A commotion near the festival entrance pulls me from my thoughts. The crowd parts like a wave, and my breath catches in my throat.

Theron strides through the gap, his massive frame commanding attention even with his arms full of blooming roses. His jaw looks swollen beneath the fur, and a fresh cut mars his forearm, but he's dressed in his finest merchant clothes - a crisp black jacket that emphasizes his broad shoulders. His amber eyes scan the crowd until they lock onto mine.

Kai and Mira flank him, each clutching their own bounty of flowers. Kai's serious expression mirrors his father's as he carefully balances his armload, checking every few steps to make sure no petals fall. His small horns catch the sunlight when he ducks his head, concentrating on his precious cargo.

Mira practically dances beside them, her silver-white fur glowing in the morning sun. She's wearing the blue dress I helped her pick out at the market just before I left, the one that matches her brother's eyes. Despite her usual frailty, she bounces on her hooves, scattering rose petals with each step.

"Lyra!" Mira's voice rings across the square. She breaks formation, rushing toward my stall with her flowers clutched to her chest. Kai calls out a warning about running, but she ignores him.

"Careful, little one." Theron's deep voice rumbles as he quickens his pace to keep up with his daughter. The movement makes him wince - those bruises must be worse than they look.

My heart thunders against my ribs as they approach. These three impossible creatures, barging into my carefully ordered life with armfuls of roses and unspoken promises. Theron's gaze hasn't left my face, and the intensity in those amber eyes makes my knees weak.

"We brought you flowers!" Mira announces, presenting her contribution with a flourish. "Papa said roses are proper courting gifts, and Kai helped pick the prettiest ones from the garden!"

The festival crowd falls silent as Theron clears his throat. His massive frame towers over my stall, yet there's a vulnerability in the way he shifts his weight.

"I've been a fool, Lyra." His deep voice carries across the square. "Like the cursed beast in the old tales who pushed away his chance at love because he thought himself unworthy."

Theron's amber eyes lock with mine, raw emotion making his usual gruff demeanor crack. "I let my pride tell me I could do it all alone. Let my fear of being hurt again keep me from seeing what was right in front of me."

My hands tremble as I clutch Mira's roses. The little girl beams up at me, while Kai watches his father with solemn understanding beyond his years.

"You walked into our lives with your healing herbs and fierce spirit, refusing to be intimidated by this old bull's temper." Theron winces as he lowers himself to one knee, his bruised body protesting. The movement brings his face level with mine. "You mended more than just our wounds. You brought light back into our home, gave my children the mother's love they deserved."

The roses in his arms perfume the air as he holds them out. "I'm not asking you to be our healer anymore, Lyra. I'm asking you to be my mate, to make official what my heart already knows - you're the missing piece of our family."

Tears blur my vision. Through them, I see Mira bouncing on her hooves, scattering petals everywhere. Kai stands straighter, hope breaking through his serious expression. And Theron - proud, stubborn Theron - kneels before me in front of half the city, his heart bare in his amber eyes.

My voice catches as I reach for him. "Yes." The word bursts from my heart, carrying years of loneliness and newfound hope. "Yes!"

Cheers erupt around us, but I barely notice them. Theron's smile transforms his entire face, softening the hard lines and battle scars into something radiant. His amber eyes shine as he starts to rise.

Before he can stand, two blurs of motion hit me - one black, one silver. Kai wraps his arms around my waist while Mira scrambles up to perch on my hip, her small weight familiar andprecious. Their combined impact nearly knocks me backwards, but Theron's massive hand steadies my shoulder.

"Does this mean you're really staying forever?" Mira's bright eyes search my face. Her silver-white fur gleams in the sunlight as she bounces in my arms.

"It means we're going to be a proper family." Kai's serious tone can't hide his joy. He presses closer, his growing horns barely reaching my ribs.

Theron rises to his full height, his shadow falling over us protectively. My neck cranes back to meet his gaze. Those fierce amber eyes that once intimidated me now hold such tenderness it steals my breath.

His rough palm cups my cheek. "My fierce little healer."

When he leans down, I rise on my tiptoes to meet him halfway. His kiss is gentle despite his size, tasting of hope and promise. Roses scatter at our feet as the children squirm between us, turning our embrace into a family huddle.

Someone in the crowd mutters about "improper displays," but I feel Theron's chest rumble with a warning growl. I smile against his lips, knowing his protective instincts now extend fully to me.

We break apart, but Theron keeps one arm around my shoulders while the other supports Mira. Kai stands straight and tall beside us, every inch his father's son as he glares at anyone who might disapprove.

My heart swells. This is what home feels like - not a place, but these three impossible creatures who've claimed me as their own.

30

THERON

Istand before the temple altar, my heart pounding beneath my formal black jacket. The marble columns soar overhead, sunlight streaming through stained glass windows and casting rainbow patterns across the stone floor. The scent of incense mingles with fresh flowers.

Kai walks down the aisle with careful, measured steps, his small chest puffed out with importance as he carries the cushion holding our rings. His black fur is neatly brushed, though a stubborn cowlick still sticks up between his budding horns. The formal white tunic he wears makes him look older than his six years.

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