Page 57 of Demon Daddy's Little Girl

"It's nothing."

"Mama can fix it!" Rose declares. "She knows all about herbs and stuff. She made my tummy better when it hurt."

A ghost of a smile touches Ada's lips. "I doubt the Captain needs my help, sweetheart."

"The Captain would be grateful." The words slip out before I can stop them. Ada's eyes widen slightly, and I clear my throat. "If you're willing."

She studies me for a long moment, her quick wit assessing every angle. Finally, she nods. "Very well. But first, you should change. You're covered in..." Her eyes flick to Rose.

"Mud," I supply. "Just mud."

"Right." Ada's dignity never wavers, even in these circumstances. "Vashti laid out fresh clothes in the washroom."

I shift Rose to my hip. "Then I'll clean up and return for that healing, if the offer stands."

"It stands." Her voice is quiet but firm, like steel wrapped in silk.

Once I get cleaned up and changed - thankfully, I have clothes here at my aunt's house - I sit while Ada tends to me. She assures me she's fine and nothing is wrong that won't mend. But I still can't stop assessing her.

Rose's tiny fingers trace the silver insignia on my collar, a habit she's always had - the very thing that drew her to me. Thefamiliar weight of her in my arms settles something wild in my chest, even as her endless chatter fills the hallway.

"And then Auntie Vashti showed me how to make my sparkles change colors in the air!" She demonstrates, her face scrunching in concentration. She casts the purple sparkles I showed her to make but that shimmer blue as they fall. "See? Just like you taught me, but prettier colors."

"That's great."

"And we had tea with her fancy cups." Rose continues, oblivious to the undercurrent of tension. "The ones with gold on them. She let me pour!" Her chest puffs with pride. "I only spilled a little bit."

"A natural hostess." I shift her weight, wanting to keep her - keep them both - close. Her violet eyes - so like her father's - sparkle with joy at the praise.

"Mama didn't want tea. She was watching out the window a lot." Rose's voice drops to what she probably thinks is a whisper. "I think she was looking for you."

Ada's cheeks flush. "I was being cautious, that's all."

"Of course." I keep my tone neutral, though something warm unfurls in me at Rose's words. "A wise approach, given the circumstances."

Rose tugs at my silver-corded hair, which has partly come loose during the fight. "Your hair's all messy. Want me to fix it? Auntie Vashti taught me braids."

"I'd love for you to, after your Mama is done." Rose nods, seeming to agree to that.

Ada watches our interaction, her arms still wrapped around herself. The haunted look hasn't left her eyes, but there's something else there now - a softness she usually guards carefully.

Ada steps toward me, her warm brown eyes swimming with a mix of fear and apology. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have doubted-"

I don't let her finish. With my free arm, I pull her against my chest, careful not to crush Rose between us. Ada stiffens for a heartbeat before melting into the embrace. Her honey-blonde braid tickles my arm as she presses her face into my shoulder, right next to where Rose still clings.

The weight of them both against me ignites something primal in me. My arm tightens around Ada's waist, and I breathe in the herb-sweet scent of her hair. Rose wiggles happily between us, one hand gripping my collar while the other pats Ada's cheek.

"Group hug!" Rose declares, her violet eyes bright with joy.

Ada lets out a watery laugh against my chest. Her fingers curl into the fabric of my shirt, and I feel the slight tremor in her hands. The vulnerability in that small gesture makes my throat tight.

I press my face into Ada's hair, my voice pitched low enough that only she can hear. "I will burn this world to ash before I let anyone harm either of you again."

She pulls back just enough to meet my eyes, her own wide with surprise at the intensity of my words. The haunted look that's shadowed her gaze since I met her flickers, replaced by something warmer, more trusting.

"Both of us?" Her voice barely carries above a whisper.

"Both of you." My golden eyes hold hers, letting her see the truth of my vow. "Always."

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