Page 16 of Demon Daddy's Little Girl

"Look, Mama!" Rose spins in place, stars swirling around her. "I'm making conste- const-"

"Constellations," I supply helpfully.

"Those!"

The stars shift to soft gold, matching Rose's curls. Luna adds her own silver sparkles to the mix while Nova crafts a gentle backdrop of blues and purples. My daughter stands in the middle of their impromptu galaxy, giggling as starlight dances across her skin.

"She's a natural," Dezoth observes quietly. "Just needed the right teachers."

I watch as Rose catches a star in her palm, her face glowing with wonder. For the first time since we fled, she looks her age - not a hunted child, but a little girl playing with friends.

"Again!" she begs as the magic fades. "Please?"

The twins share a grin before creating new constellations, teaching Rose how to weave light between her fingers. Their laughter echoes off the walls, three voices blending in perfect harmony.

The next morning, I'm gathering herbs from the small garden when unfamiliar footsteps approach. My fingers tighten around the shears before I spot the twins' copper curls.

A woman I haven't met follows behind them, her long dark hair pulled back in a practical braid. She moves with the same careful grace I recognize in myself - the kind learned from years of avoiding notice.

"Mama, this is Miss Mira!" Rose bounces over. "She makes the best cookies!"

"And teaches us songs," Luna adds, tugging on Mira's sleeve.

"When we're good," Nova amends with a solemn nod.

Mira's green eyes meet mine with quiet understanding. "Vashti told me how much the girls have been loving coming over here. I hope we're not interrupting?"

"Not at all." I set down my shears, noting how she keeps a careful distance. Another habit I know well. "Would you like some tea?"

While the girls race to the tree, Mira helps me harvest mint leaves. Her sleeve shifts, revealing a familiar brand on her wrist. She catches me looking and doesn't hide it.

"I…used to be a slave. Until I ran from my master," she says softly. "I ended up stumbling into Karn's shop, and he offered me a job, watching the girls."

"And you trusted him? Just like that?"

"Gods no." A small smile plays at her lips. "I was certain he was going to sell me out."

The mental image startles a laugh from me. "What changed?"

"The twins, actually. They were chaotic, more than they are now, but they were so happy to be around me. They'd follow after me everywhere, offering toys and hugs." Mira's eyes soften watching them show Rose how to reach the lowest branch as they climb outside. "It's hard to fear someone who spends his evenings wearing fairy wings because his nieces insist."

"I understand what you mean. I think I fell for Rose's father because he was that kind of man," I whisper, the words slipping out before I can stop them. "He would've been so good to her."

Mira's hand finds mine, warm and steady. "He was a demon?" I nod, throat tight. "And I'm guessing he paid the price for loving a human?" I nod again, never having felt so seen.

"They tried to sell me to a collector." Her voice hardens. "As if we're pretty trinkets to be owned."

"How do you trust again? After everything?"

"One day at a time." Mira squeezes my hand. "And on the hard days, I remember I'm choosing to stay. That makes all the difference."

Rose's delighted shriek draws our attention. She's perched on a branch, beaming as the twins create magical stepping stones of light to help her climb higher.

Dezoth gets home just before Mira leaves, and she smiles at him, greeting him softly. It eases another notch in my chest, and slowly, I feel my walls coming down.

After Mira and the twins skip home, Rose tugs at my skirt, violet eyes bright with curiosity. She clutches her new favorite doll - a gift from Dezoth that sparkles with embedded magic.

"Mama, can we stay with the nice guard Captain forever?"

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