Page 50 of The Dark Elf's Found Family
A rueful chuckle escapes him. "That was the whole reason Eda took the girls. So I could tell you that I want to build a life here. With you." His thumb traces along my cheekbone, gentle and reverent. "I can write my books and send them to Kyrdonis. Work and live here. If you'll have us."
The hope in his voice, carefully controlled but unmistakable, nearly undoes me. This man—this incredible, patient, loving man—has been waiting to give me everything I never dared to dream of.
"I don't want any more distance between us," I say, my hand covering his where it rests against my face. "I let the past stand in the way for too long. I was so afraid of being hurt again that I almost missed out on this. On you."
His smile is radiant, transforming his entire face. "Brynn?—"
"Why don't you and Nya move in here instead of finding a place?" The words tumble out before I can second-guess them. "We can convert Rhea's room so the girls can share. It would be perfect."
For a moment, he just stares at me, and I wonder if I've overstepped. It's a big decision, combining our households, our lives. Maybe he needs time to?—
"I'd love that," he says, his voice rough with emotion. Then he's kissing me, deep and thorough, pouring all his relief and joy into the connection of our mouths.
When we finally break apart, we're both breathing hard. I can hear the girls' voices getting louder in the other room, and I know our private moment is coming to an end.
"We should go tell them," I say, though part of me wants to stay wrapped up in this bed with him forever.
He nods, pressing one more soft kiss to my lips before rolling away to gather our scattered clothes. I watch him dress, admiring the lean lines of his body, the way his muscles shift beneath ashen skin as he pulls on his shirt. Even clothed, he moves with a fluid grace that speaks to his elven heritage.
I slip into my chemise and skirt, braiding my hair back with practiced efficiency. In the mirror above my washbasin, I catch sight of my reflection—flushed cheeks, kiss-swollen lips, eyes bright with happiness. I look like a woman who's beenthoroughly loved, and the thought makes warmth pool low in my belly.
Ciaran comes up behind me, his hands settling on my waist as he meets my eyes in the mirror.
"Ready?" he asks.
I lean back against his chest, solid and warm behind me. "Ready."
We make our way to Rhea's room, where we can hear animated conversation. I push the door open to find both girls sitting cross-legged on the bed, Nya's small hands gesturing as she tells some elaborate story. Rhea's eyes are bright with laughter, her violet gaze—so like her father's, I realize now—sparkling with mirth.
"Mum!" Rhea bounces when she sees me, then notices Ciaran behind me. "Ciaran! Nya was just telling me about the time she tried to teach a suru to read poetry."
"It was a very intelligent suru," Nya says solemnly, which only makes Rhea giggle harder.
My heart clenches at the sight of them together. They're so easy with each other, so natural. Like they were always meant to be sisters.
"Girls," I say, settling on the edge of the bed. "We have something to tell you."
Both sets of eyes turn to me expectantly. Ciaran sits beside me, his hand finding mine and intertwining our fingers.
"Ciaran and Nya are going to move in with us," I say, watching their faces carefully. "If that's something you'd both like."
For a moment, there's complete silence. Then Rhea lets out a whoop of joy that makes me chuckle.
"Really?" she asks, bouncing on the bed. "They're going to live here? With us?"
"Really," Ciaran confirms, his voice warm with amusement.
Nya's reaction is quieter but no less enthusiastic. Her entire face lights up, violet eyes sparkling as she looks between Rhea and her father.
"Does that mean Rhea is really my sister now?" she asks, her voice small but hopeful.
"She is absolutely your sister, in all the ways that matter." Ciaran grins at his daughter in a way that makes my heart stutter.
The two girls throw themselves at each other in a tangle of limbs and excited squeals. I watch them embrace, these two pieces of my heart, and feel tears prick at the corners of my eyes.
This is what I never knew I needed. Not just Ciaran, though he's become essential to my happiness in ways I'm still discovering. But this—this family we've built together. The four of us, connected by love rather than just blood.
Rhea's room suddenly feels too small for the magnitude of what's happening. We'll need to rearrange things, maybe build a second bed. The practical part of my mind is already cataloging what needs to be done, but the emotional part is simply overwhelmed by the rightness of it all.
