Page 17 of Demon Daddy's Little Girl

My heart twists. I brush a honey-blonde curl from her forehead, buying time to steady my voice. "Why do you ask, flower?"

"Because he makes the best magic lights." Rose waves her doll, sending tiny sparkles cascading through the air. "And he knows all about demon stuff, like why my eyes glow sometimes."

"We'll stay," I whisper.For now,I don't add.

Rose takes off then, back into the house, and I hear her giggle as Dezoth says something. I walk in to find him spinning her around and setting her back down.

"I have to show you something!' she tells him excitedly.

Dezoth sits back in his chair, those intimidating golden eyes softening as he looks at Rose. "I'm ready."

Rose demonstrates her new trick, his eyes never leaving her. His usual stern expression melts when she bounds over to show him.

"Look! I made them dance like you showed me."

"Well done, little flower." His deep voice gentles, matching her excitement. "Your control is improving."

Rose beams at the praise, then frowns thoughtfully. "Is that why we're staying? Because you can teach me about magic?"

I freeze, caught between truth and protection. Before I can answer, Dezoth kneels to her level, his massive frame somehow less imposing as he meets her gaze.

"Your mother is very brave to bring you here," he says carefully. "Sometimes being brave means asking for help."

"Like when I couldn't reach the cookies and Luna helped?"

A rare smile crosses his face. "Something like that."

Rose nods, satisfied with this simple explanation. She returns to practicing her sparkles, unaware of how my hands shake or how Dezoth's expression holds centuries of understanding.

"She deserves a childhood," he murmurs, watching her play. "Not a life of running."

The guilt crashes over me. We've been here two weeks - longer than anywhere since we fled. Each day, Rose blooms a little more, learning to control her magic instead of hiding it. And each night, I lie awake wondering if I'm selfish for wanting this peace to last.

That evening, I notice Rose's doll missing from her bed. She's sound asleep, curled around her pillow instead of her usual sparkly companion. A quick search of our rooms turns up nothing.

My heart races until I remember her showing Dezoth her new magic tricks. The study door stands ajar, warm lamplight spilling into the hallway. I pause at the threshold, struck by the sight before me.

Dezoth sits at his massive oak desk, but instead of reports or documents, he cradles Rose's doll in his battle-scarred hands. His golden eyes are distant, lost in thought as one finger traces the delicate embroidery he enchanted himself. The doll seemsimpossibly small against his palms, yet he holds it like spun glass.

"I can come back-"

"No, please." He straightens but doesn't set the doll down. "I was just... she reminds me of someone."

I step into the study, drawn by the raw emotion in his voice. "The woman Vashti mentioned?"

"My sister shouldn't be mentioning things to you." But he doesn't sound angry. Instead, he clears his throat. "I've made dolls like this before. For another demon child who needed to learn."

The mighty demon Captain looks almost vulnerable, shoulders curved inward as if protecting an old wound. His ritual markings catch the lamplight as he adjusts the doll's tiny dress with impossible tenderness.

"It's kind of you. To make her things like that."

"It's what she deserves." His eyes meet mine, molten gold in the dim light. "She deserves that chance. To make people smile, to learn magic without fear."

Something shifts in my chest, watching this fearsome warrior handle my daughter's toy with such care. The same hands that wield sword and shield, that command armies, now straightening a miniature bow with gentle precision.

"I should return this before she notices it's gone," he murmurs.

"I'll take it." Though I almost feel bad doing so now.

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