Page 15 of Nanny for the Minotaur

Her practical cotton apron bears fresh dirt stains - she must have just come in from harvesting. "Let me guess - another healing consultation?"

"Not exactly." I weave between displays of jarred remedies. "It's about Kai. His nightmares are getting worse."

Maya's gray eyes sharpen with interest. I've told her all about the family I'm helping, and even she seems invested now. She gestures me toward her workbench, clearing space among scattered leaves and stems. "Tell me more."

"He won't admit it, but I hear him at night. Some nights Theron has to sit with him until he falls back asleep." My fingers trace the edge of a mortar and pestle. "Last night, I found them both passed out in Kai's room. Theron was slumped in this tiny chair, looking so uncomfortable but refusing to move in case it woke his son."

"Mmhmm." Maya's knowing smile makes heat creep up my neck. "And how often are you checking on them at night?"

"That's not- I mean-" I grab a bundle of rirzed herb, focusing on the dried blooms. "I'm just concerned about Kai."

"Of course." Maya's scar flashes white as she reaches for her reference book. "Nothing to do with his very protective, very single father."

"Maya!"

"What? I've seen that look on your face when you talk about him." She flips through pages with practiced efficiency. "And the way his eyes lit up when you brought him in last week."

"He does not-" I stop myself, cheeks burning. I only brought him here so he knew where to get what he needed when I'm longer Mira's caregiver. "Can we focus on the herbs?"

"Fine, fine." But that smile lingers as she writes out a recipe. "Take a satchel-" She places a box of them on the counter before me. "Steep it in hot water before bed." She tears out the page. "Though I suspect having both you and his father nearby does more good than any tea."

I snatch the paper, stuffing it into my pocket. "I should head back. It's getting late."

"Give the children my love." Maya's voice follows me to the door. "And Theron too, while you're at it!"

I hurry out, pretending not to hear her laugh behind me. But my thoughts start to drift as I head back, the stars above lighting up the city and making me wonder if maybe…she's right.

The acrid smell of smoke hits me before I even reach the front door. My heart leaps into my throat as I rush inside, following the sound of Mira's sobs echoing through the halls.

I find them in Kai's room - or what's left of it. Black soot streaks up one wall, the elegant wallpaper Cassandra had chosen now curling and peeling. Theron stands in the center, his massive frame somehow smaller as he looks between his children. Mira clings to his leg, tears leaving tracks in her silver-white fur, while Kai huddles in the corner, making himself as small as possible.

"What happened?" I drop my bag, already moving toward Kai.

"The lamp." Theron's voice cracks. "He was having a nightmare and-" He gestures helplessly at the scorched bedding and charred bedpost.

I kneel beside Kai, careful not to touch him yet. His blue eyes - so like his mother's - are wide with fear. "I didn't mean to," he whispers.

"Of course you didn't." I keep my voice soft, steady. "Everyone has nightmares sometimes."

"But I ruined everything!" His small fists clench. "Mother picked all this out and now-"

"Now we have a chance to make this room yours." I glance around at the formal furnishings - all dark woods and muted colors, nothing a six-year-old would choose. "What if we cleaned this up together? Made it a place you'd actually want to sleep in?"

Theron steps forward, Mira still attached to his leg. "You'd help with that?"

"Of course." I stand, brushing soot from my skirt. "Kai, what's your favorite color?"

"Blue?" He uncurls slightly. "Like the sky."

"Perfect. We could paint the walls, get new bedding-"

"Can I help too?" Mira's tears slow as she peeks out from behind Theron.

"We need all hands on deck." I hold out my arms and she runs to me, burying her face in my dress. "Even your father can help, if he's not too busy being a proper merchant."

Theron's amber eyes meet mine, gratitude and something warmer flickering in their depths. "I suppose I could roll up my sleeves."

"Good." I squeeze Mira close, offering Kai a smile. "Kai, you can come sleep in my room and tomorrow, we'll set up your new space."

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