Page 6 of Leda's Log

My heart started fluttering in time with my fluttery stomach. “Glad you could make it.” I shifted my weight. “As you can see, I have everything under control.”

His gaze cut past me, to the machine behind me. “Is that duct tape?”

“No, of course not.” I shifted again to block more of the machine. “Because using duct tape to solve a magical catastrophe would betotallyunbecoming of an angel.” I flashed Nero a grin.

And he just snorted. “I’ve missed you, Leda.” He moved in, wrapping his arms around me. “Now that the situation is all wrapped up,” he said, his gaze flickering briefly to the machine, “how about we head to the dining hall and get something to eat?”

“Great idea.” I lowered my head to his chest, drinking in the scent of him. “Because I’m famished.” I glanced up to wink at him.

His chest rumbled with delicious laughter. “Well, let’s just see what we can do about that, shall we?”

CHAPTER 4

VALENTINE'S DAY

Unfortunately, Nero was literally talking about dinner. I wouldn’t have minded a little one-on-one private snuggle time with my husband, but I guess it was just as well. We had to keep an eye on Sierra. After all the excitement, our daughter was totally wound up. She was running around the dining hall, chasing after Angel. Every so often, they crashed into something. They hadn’t set anything on fire—yet—but it was only a matter of time. Baby angels were a real handful, especially when duckies and desserts entered into the equation.

“Where did she get that cookie?” I asked Nero.

He shrugged, but Basanti said, “I gave it to her.”

“Why?” I asked her.

“Because she likes chocolate-chip cookies.”

“Yes, butwhy?” I gasped. “Cookies make Sierra totally crazy.”

Basanti snorted. “She gets that from you, Leda.”

“Cookies donotmake me crazy.”

“Uh, didn’t you once stab your fork through Harker’s hand because he stole your cookie?”

“First of all, that wascake, not a cookie. And secondly, well, there were extenuating circumstances.”

“Yeah, I remember,” Basanti chuckled. “Your daughter is the result of those extenuating circumstances.”

I blushed.

“And our daughters too,” Leila said, sitting down next to Basanti.

Leila Starborn was a model angel. Her dinner tray was filled with healthy, sensible things like broccoli and cauliflower. I’d skipped right over those in favor of ice cream and banana bread.

“Where are Iris and Selene anyway?” I asked.

“They’re with the babysitter,” Leila replied.

“We thought that would be safer as long as you’re around, Leda,” Basanti added, smirking at me.

“She’s kidding, of course,” Leila said quickly. “The girls would love a playdate with Sierra.”

“Just let me procure some fireproof clothing for them first,” said Basanti.

I sighed. Sierrareallyloved to set things on fire. I hoped it was just a phase that she’d outgrow.

“Well, well, well, if it isn’t the infamous Leda Pandora herself!” Ivy proclaimed, sitting down opposite me.

I grinned at my friend. “Actually, I prefer the termfamous.”

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