Page 14 of Demon Daddy's Little Girl

"Of course not." She pats my hand. "But you might find not all demons are like the ones you're running from."

My eyes drift back to Dezoth as he kneels beside the girls, his massive frame somehow less intimidating as Nova decorates his horns with illusory flowers. Rose's laughter rings pure and bright, and for the first time in years, I feel something in my chest loosen just slightly.

The girls' magical display continues as Vashti leads me to the kitchen, pulling out delicate cups with practiced grace.

"Tea?" She measures leaves into a pot. "I know Dezoth drinks at least three cups a day, and he hoards the good stuff. But I doubt there are any tea biscuits. My brother probably ate them all before they even got in the house. He has no self control with those things."

I glance toward the other room where Rose's excited voice mingles with the twins'. "I wouldn't have expected..."

"The fearsome guard Captain to have a sweet tooth?" Vashti's laugh rings like silver bells. "Oh, you should have seen him when we were children. He'd sneak extra honey cakes from the kitchen and always blamed it on me."

I cock my head, watching her. I never really thought about Dezoth as anything but the Captain. But now, I'm seeing him as so much more.

Steam curls from the spout as she pours. Her voice lowers. "He wouldn't tell you this, but he needed life back in his home. He's been alone since Raina left, and he doesn't handle it well."

Raina. I can't help but wonder who Raina is.

"He'll act all tough, but he's really a big softie." She slides a cup toward me. "Used to braid my hair every morning before school because I couldn't reach the back properly. Even learned to sew so he could mend my dresses."

Through the doorway, I catch Dezoth creating tiny light orbs for the girls to chase. His severe features soften as Rose tugs his sleeve, pointing at a particularly bright one.

"Don't look so shocked." Vashti's eyes sparkle over her cup. "That gruff exterior is mostly for show. Though I'll deny saying that if he asks."

"I just... after everything I've seen..."

"Not all demons are monsters." She reaches across the table but stops short of touching me. "Some of us actually care about more than power and pride. Dezoth especially - he'd die protecting those he considers his to guard."

"Like the twins?"

"Like anyone who needs him." Her knowing look makes me shift uncomfortably.

The sounds of magical practice fade into giggles as Nova apparently turns Luna's hair another wild color. Dezoth's deep voice rumbles something that makes all three girls burst into fresh laughter.

"He deserves his own family," Vashti says softly. "Someone to show him it's okay to let that guard down sometimes."

I stare into my tea, trying to reconcile this new image of Dezoth with my ingrained fears. "I don't know if I can..."

"No one's asking you to do anything." She smiles gently. "Just... keep an open mind?"

The girls play for a while longer, but the magic seems to drain them. I watch Rose nestle between Luna and Nova on the plush rug as they throw sparkles, eyes drooping, their copper and honey curls mingling as Dezoth's deep voice weaves a tale about a brave warrior princess. His massive frame seems at odds with the way he perches in the armchair, book balanced carefully in his scarred hands.

"And the princess called all the magic in the land-" He breaks off as Rose's head droops against Luna's shoulder. Nova's already curled into a tight ball, thumb tucked against her lips.

"Three for three." Vashti rises silently from beside me. "He has that effect on children. Something about that growly voice."

I can't help but notice how Dezoth's golden eyes soften as he looks at the sleeping girls. His fingers twitch like he wants to reach out and brush Rose's hair from her face, but he holds back. The longing in his expression mirrors the ache in my chest - the wish for Rose to have peaceful moments like this always.

"They look like angels when they sleep," he murmurs, then catches himself. "Until they wake and turn my guard's hair purple again."

"You loved every minute of that chaos." Vashti smirks. "Especially when Luna made your horns sparkle."

"I tolerated it."

"Please, brother. I saw that smile." She glances between us. "You know, the twins could use more playmates their age. And Rose clearly has a talent for magic that needs nurturing..."

Dezoth's jaw tightens. "Vashti."

"I'm just saying." She holds up her hands innocently. "I might need to make more visits. That's all."

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