Page 15 of Demon Daddy's Little Girl

Vashti makes more tea and we migrate to the kitchen while the girls sleep. For the next hour, I mostly listen, entertained by seeing Dezoth as a big brother, teased by his relentless sister. It makes him all the more endearing.

Once the girls are up, Vashti rounds them up. "Their mother will be wondering where they are if we're not back soon. But we'll have to visit again soon. The twins would be heartbroken if their new friend disappeared."

I'm still nervous, but I nod. "That would be…nice."

"And you could come by the bakery sometime if you like. I make excellent honey cakes. And my garden's perfect formagical practice - plenty of space and cushioning spells for when things go wrong."

"Which they often do," Dezoth mutters, cradling Rose. She did not wake with Luna and Nova, and he didn't want her disturbed. Her honey-blonde curls spill over his arm as she snuffles in her sleep.

"Oh hush." Vashti waves dismissively. "As if you didn't blow up half the training yard learning force magic."

A muscle tics in Dezoth's jaw. "That was different."

"Of course it was, brother dear." She turns back to me, golden eyes warm. "We're just down the street - Dezoth can show you. You're welcome anytime - no guards, no questions. Just tea and friendship."

Dezoth's shoulders lose their rigid set at his sister's words. The careful way he holds Rose, the softening around his eyes - he truly doesn't see us as prisoners.

"I..." My throat tightens. "We'll think about it."

"Wonderful!" Vashti claps softly, mindful of the sleeping children. "Swing by any time. Though the twins are most manageable after breakfast. "

"They're never manageable," Dezoth grumbles, but there's fondness in his tone.

I watch him transfer Rose to my arms with surprising gentleness. Her weight settles against me, familiar and precious. She doesn't stir.

"The offer stands regardless of when you choose to accept it." Vashti's voice carries no pressure, only sincerity. "My door is always open to friends. And I know Mira will never turn down a playdate."

The word 'friends' echoes in my mind as we make our way back to our room so I can lay her down. She's not used to so much exertion with magic.

Behind us, I hear Vashti's melodic voice. "Well brother, that went better than expected, didn't it?"

His rumbled response is too low to catch, but something in his tone makes Vashti laugh like silver bells.

And I think that maybe not all demons are so bad.

7

ADA

Ilean back against the cushions, watching Rose attempt another spell with the twins. Her small face scrunches in concentration, honey-blonde curls falling into her eyes as she mimics Luna's graceful hand movements. The doll twitches, rises an inch, then plops back down.

"Almost!" Luna claps her tiny hands. "You just need more sparkles. Everything's better with sparkles."

"That's not how magic works," Nova points out, adjusting her flour-dusted sleeve. "Uncle Dez says it's about focus."

Rose's violet eyes light up. "Like when you made the rainbow?"

"Here." Nova takes Rose's hands in hers. "Think about happy things. That helps me with colors."

A soft purple glow emanates from their joined fingers. Rose gasps as tiny stars appear, dancing around their heads.

"You did it!" The twins chorus.

My throat tightens. In four years of running, I've never seen Rose so... free. No tension in her small shoulders, no watchful glances at windows and doors. Just pure childhood joy as she creates more stars with her new friends.

"They're good for her." Vashti's voice pulls me from my thoughts. "Children need other children."

"We haven't stayed anywhere long enough..." I trail off, watching Luna show Rose how to change the stars' colors.

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