Page 60 of Which Witch is Willing?
Dru lifted his sword to take down the enemy should it fly in their direction.“What the hell is that?”
The little pixie or fairy barreled headfirst into Killian’s chest, knocking him back against the wall. He quickly brought his hands together and sank to the floor. “Gotcha.”
The creature squirmed and fought against Death, but he refused to let go.
Tierra placed a frantic hand on her chest. “Oh. My. Goddess.”
Claire glanced between Killian and her sister, unsure if they were all still in danger. “What in the name of hell’s fire is it?”
Killian tucked whatever it was beneath his wing and struggled one-handed to get to his feet. He drew great breaths and jerked his chin upward toward Dru. “Grab that blanket.”
Dru reached for a soft ivory throw that had been draped across the bottom of the bed. He kept his sword out as he approached Killian and the unruly captive.
Death snorted. “Put that thing away, man, or you’re going to kill my daughter.”
Dru halted, and Claire’s mouth fell open. “Daughter?” she muttered.
What kind of monster had Tierra birthed? A demon child sired by Death? Worse, if this was the light-souled baby, what kind of hellish thing was Moira growing?
“Blanket, man,” Killian demanded.
Dru sheathed his sword and held out the blanket, looking as dazed and confused as Claire felt. She cast a quick glance toward her sister, who seemed to have lost her ability to speak or act.
Killian snatched the soft throw and tucked it beneath his wing. He fussed and struggled for a moment and then produced the sweetest looking cherub of a baby that Claire had ever seen. Killian had bundled her tightly, and she now stared at him with wide-eyed wonder.
With a dusting of dark red hair, pink cheeks, and a soft cooing sound coming from her cupid’s bow mouth, she couldn’t possibly be the wild thing that had threatened them all moments ago.
A proud papa’s grin nearly split Killian’s face, and his happiness filled the room. He strode close to the side of the bed where Tierra lay and held the bundle out to her. “Your princess, my gazelle. Isn’t she beautiful?”
Tierra choked out a sob and put a hand over her mouth. Tears streamed from her eyes, and then she held out her hands. “Oh, my sweet Goddess. She’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”
Killian gently placed the babe into Tierra’s outstretched arms and chuckled. “I hadn’t realized she’d be able to fly so soon after birth.”
Claire raised her brows and glanced to Dru, who shrugged. “I guess we shouldn’t be surprised since her daddy has wings as well,” she said.
Tierra blinked back her tears and smiled. “Hello, beautiful. I’m your momma.”
The baby’s face lit up, and she released a soft sigh.
Tierra ran a finger lightly over her cheek, earning another cooing sound. She slipped her hand into the swaddled blanket and produced a soft, pudgy hand. The baby immediately wrapped tiny fingers around one of Tierra’s.
Claire stepped forward until she stood next to Death. The baby’s face drew into a frown that nearly broke Claire’s heart. “Oh, honey. Don’t be afraid. I’m your Auntie Claire here to welcome you into the world.”
The baby hesitated a moment, and then Claire swore that she smiled. “Look! She likes me.”
Tierra nodded. “She does. I can sense it. Dru, you need to come here, too. Little Violet needs to know that you’re okay. She was so frightened before, not knowing what had happened when she came into the world. Please, let her know that she’s safe.”
“Violet,” Claire said. “That’s such a beautiful name.”
Dru shot Claire an uncertain look but then moved forward. He crowded next to Claire and slipped an arm around her. He probably thought she would think it was a protective gesture toward her, but Claire recognized that he was the one who needed emotional support.
He cleared this throat. “Hello, Violet. I’m…”
Claire leaned into him as she stared at the angelic baby. “He’s your Uncle Dru.”
Dru nodded. “Uncle. That’s right. I’m your Uncle Dru.”
She tilted her head to regard the horseman who’d stolen her heart. “I get the sensation that you’ve never been this close to a baby before.”
