Page 11 of Demon Daddy's Secret Twins

Our arms brush as she steps around a fallen log. The contact is fleeting, accidental. But she doesn't stiffen or pull away. Just continues walking, her steps light and sure beside mine.

The realization settles over me like morning mist - she's not afraid anymore. Not of me, at least. The trust she's showing, small as it may seem, feels monumental. I've seen how she shrinks from others, how carefully she guards herself. But here, now, she walks beside me as if it's the most natural thing in the world.

My wings curl forward slightly, an unconscious gesture of protection. Not that she needs it - she's proven herself more than capable. But the instinct remains, growing stronger with each peaceful moment we share.

The peaceful rhythm of our walk shatters when a crash echoes through the trees. Loxley freezes mid-step, her breath catching. Without thought, I move between her and the sound, my wings spreading wide to shield her smaller frame.

My horns itch with unreleased magic as I scan the dense foliage. Every muscle coils tight, ready to strike at the first sign of threat. The gold lines etched in my skin begin to glow, power thrumming beneath the surface.

Behind me, Loxley's breathing comes quick and shallow. The sound cuts through my battle-ready focus, stirring something deeper than mere protective instinct. These months of quiet walks, of watching her slowly unfurl from her defensive shell, have changed something fundamental between us.

I risk a glance back. She's pressed against a tree trunk, those golden-brown eyes wide but not with the blind panic I used to see. When our gazes lock, her shoulders lower slightly.

"Stay behind me." My voice comes out rougher than intended, edged with a possessive growl that surprises even me. The thought of anything threatening her, of undoing all the progress she's made toward feeling safe, ignites a fury in my blood that has nothing to do with demonic nature.

The gold lines along my arms pulse brighter. Magic crackles at my fingertips, ready to destroy whatever dares disturb her peace. I've protected others before - it's my duty, my purpose. But this feels different. Personal. The need to keep her safe burns like molten copper in my veins.

"I'm here." The words slip out before I can catch them, softer than I knew my voice could be. "Nothing will harm you."

She takes a small step closer to my back, not quite touching but near enough that I feel the warmth of her presence. Trust, freely given. The weight of it settles in my chest like an oath.

Another rustle in the bushes and Loxley presses against my back, her small frame fitting perfectly between my wings. The contact sends electricity through my skin, but I keep my focus on the threat - until a suru hops out, its tiny horns barely visible through the foliage. The creature wiggles its nose, black eyes darting between us before it scampers off into the underbrush.

Loxley's forehead drops against my shoulder blade, a small laugh escaping her. The sound washes through me like summer rain, rare and precious. She steps back, crossing her arms with mock severity.

"I can take care of myself, you know." Her words carry no edge, just a gentle teasing that makes my chest tight. The gold lines along my arms fade as my magic settles, but the warmth of her brief touch lingers.

"Never doubted it." I fold my wings back, careful not to brush against her. The memory of her pressed close burns through me, awakening instincts I've fought to keep buried. "But scaring off small wildlife is part of my job description."

My self-imposed job description of taking care of her.

Her eyes catch mine, golden-brown depths holding steady where they once would have darted away. A slight smile plays at the corners of her mouth - not the guarded expression she shows others, but something real. Something meant just for me.

"Protecting us from vicious suru is now part of your job? Very noble." She steps around me, back onto the path. Sunlight catches in her auburn braids, turning them to liquid copper. "Though I suppose better safe than sorry. It could have been plotting something nefarious."

The casual banter, the way she can joke about danger now - it strikes deeper than any blade. This is the Loxley few ever see, the one who's slowly emerging from behind years of carefully constructed walls. That she trusts me enough to show this side of herself feels like a gift I haven't earned.

I smirk, letting my wings settle back against my spine. "I know. But I'm still going to keep you safe." But I can still feel her there, leaning against me.

I can’t believe she touched me like that, and I can’t even hold my smile back. We are making so much progress, and I can’t help but savor every second of it.

Loxley ducks her head, but not before I catch the subtle softening around her eyes. Her fingers twist in the loose fabric of her shirt - a gesture I've learned means she's processing emotions she's not ready to voice. The light filtering through the canopy catches the auburn highlights in her hair, making them glow like embers.

She doesn't argue or pull away. Instead, her shoulders relax further, and she takes a half-step closer. The trust in that tinymovement hits harder than any battle wound I've ever taken. This isn't the wary creature who used to flinch at shadows. This is someone who's chosen to believe in safety again, despite everything telling her not to.

My copper-red eyes track her movements as she reaches out to brush a leaf from my arm. Her touch is light, deliberate - nothing like the accidental contact from before. The gold lines beneath my obsidian skin pulse once, responding to her proximity in ways I can't control.

She traces one of the glowing marks with her fingertip, then pulls back. But there's no fear in the gesture, just careful consideration. The way she studies me now is different from her old defensive scanning for threats. She's looking because she wants to see, not because she needs to survive.

"We should keep moving." Her voice carries a new warmth, like sunshine breaking through storm clouds. "Unless you think there might be more dangerous suru lying in wait?"

The teasing lilt in her words makes my chest tight. It's a gift, this playful side of her. One I never expected to receive, let alone deserve.

Now, I just need to plan how to keep it.

9

LOXLEY

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