Page 76 of Falling in Love with A Tiny Bat

“You…want me to wear your magic?”

He sets a hand against Ash’s back while my little boy sleeps comfortably in the wrap. “It occurred to me while I was planning the holiday. Your phone isn’t enchanted to see past glamour. Its camera can’t capture the fae. You don’t have any photos of Ash, and you definitely don’t have any photos of the two of you together. You’re welcome to wear whatever makes you comfortable, of course. I just wanted some nice options available for you.”

If this morning has taught me anything at all, Alexios is capable of so much more extravagance than he lets on.

It’s odd, considering his general demeanor leans more heavily towarddrown me in a lake after you hit me with your car. Given how many times I’ve caught him mid-existential crisisdrapedacross my living room couch, staring at the ceiling,unblinking, the fact he’ssocapable in moments like these shocks my system.

My heart rate kicks into overdrive.

Alexios has set things up to allow me pretty professional-level photos to commemorate my first Mother’s Day with my baby.

I desperately want pretty professional-level Mother’s Day photos with my baby.

Swallowing, I ask, “What exactly doeswearing your magicfeel like—”

“Normal clothes,” he interjects, lifting an arm. “I actually tend to keep mine lighter than most normal clothes you might be used to, so the sensation of them against my skin is less likely to irritate me. To you, they may feel as weightless as air.”

Wearing air. That he controls. My lips press together. “I mean…what will it feel like, to you?”

His eyes lock on mine, and I watch the way his pupils swallow the storms in his irises whole. Dragging his gaze off, he whispers, “It will be a…an intimate thing, yes. I promise not to take advantage of what I could do with your trust if you wish to use the garments I’ve made for you.” His throat bobs. “Nothing is so constricting that I…I’d learn more than the idea of your…form.”

Oh. “So. It’s like touch?”

Alexios’s hand closes into a fist as the slightly-pointed tips of his ears peaking through his long hair grasp shades of crimson. “N-no. I…” Breath leaves him, and he closes his eyes. “I don’t have nerves in my magic, but I do control the shape of the fabric. For it to fit correctly, I’ll have to adjust the measurements to your body.”

My shoulders drop before I even gather the fact I’d gone tense. “Oh. That’s no big deal, then. I don’t care if you know my size.” I place a hand to my bounteous bosom. “I have come a long way in accepting my classification as aplus-sizewoman.” Itrot my way over to the superfluous array of garments. “If it’s not like a full naked-body hug, I’m totally okay with that.” My flesh prickles as I caress something silken. It’s so soft. I can almost delude myself into picturing the sensation of his magic in every thread. I can’t hold back my smile. “I’m so excited.” When I look back at Alexios, he seems starstruck, and I…I’m crying.

In two steps, he’s near me, and I’m flinching back as his hand lifts.

He pauses. “Shh…” When I don’t tense again, he cups my cheek, soaking my tears into his glove. “What’s wrong? Is it too far?”

My voice breaks. “No one…has ever gone half this far…for me.” My lips tremble, and I bite down the heart-wrenchingthank youthreatening to escape. Ever since Andromeda told me the rule about thanking the fae, I’ve removedthankfrom my vocabulary. I’ve not saidthank youfor months. Almost a full year now. But, in this moment, it’s sticking in my throat, feeling like my very soul is trying to break free.

Gently, Alexios wraps me in a hug that snuggles Ash between our bodies. Kissing the top of my head, he skims his fingers through my hair—from the short side to the long. “Get used to it.” His cheek plants, comfortable weight against my temple as he whispers sweet nothings in my ear. “I’m going to spoil you senseless today and I’ll find new ways to keep doing so going forward.”

“I don’t—” I sniffle, gulping down air. “—even deserve all this. I’m barely a mother. You take care of so much. You—you’re toocompetent.”

“I am a catch, it’s true. Excellent husband material. One hundred percent pure, attractive father-of-your-children right here. You’ll get over it, I’m sure. I have faith in you.”

I’d shove him away for the lilting smug attitude in his voice, but Ash is plastered to his chest.

Graciously, Alexios pulls himself back. Cruelly, he hooks a finger beneath my chin, forcing my damp eyes to focus on his. “Now…about you beingbarely a motherwhen you’re working two jobs to support this family and love our baby with every cell in you every chance you get…”

“Mybaby,” I hiss.

“Of course. We’rebothyours. My mistake. It’s a pet’s pet situation.” His thumb traces my jaw. “Stay on topic, snowflake. Where did you learn that you only qualify as a mother if you’re exhausted and so desperate for a break, you don’t even enjoy being around your family?”

Quite frankly, that’s the only picture of amotherI have. Tired. Resentful. Controlling. Too hard on herself and the person she saw the most of herself in.

Me.

“You’re a good mother, Zahra,” Alexios says. “You’re a good person. Your care and kindness reaches everyone around you, and Ash will grow up with your example of love to guide him.” He steps back, leaving me strung on the words. “Also, last I checked, we shared the workload where Ash is concerned near fifty-fifty. The moment you’re home from work or finish a stream, you steal him away from me. Don’t take it out on yourself because I’m not like many human fathers who cannot be bothered with childcare at all.” Grace incarnate—per usual—Alexios smiles and sweeps into a gentle bow that supports Ash with that stupid flourish of his hand to my baby’s back. Looking up at me, he murmurs, “One day, I hope you’ll find that I far exceed the quality of the average human male.”

I think I’m beginning to.

Unfortunately, it is an extremely low bar to meet.

Chapter 20

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