Page 104 of Keran's Dawn

He wrapped his small arms around Dawn’s leg to pull her away. Playing along, she pretended to be unable to resist his ‘tremendous’ strength and let go of Argos to hang on to the edges of the changing table, as if she needed something to latch onto. Kratos continued pulling, and Dawn let go of the table to turn her wrath on him.

“Fine! I won’t eat him… yet. You are bigger and will make a more satisfying meal anyway,” Dawn said, crooking her fingers like claws as she stared at my oldest son.

Kratos released a high-pitched squeal and let go of her leg to run away. Dawn allowed him a very short head start before she came running after him with the theatrical growl of a vicious beast. She scooped him up mid stride and tossed him into the air. Kratos screamed again while Neyti laughed. Dawn effortlessly caught him and lifted his belly to her face before blowing on it and fake eating it like she had done with his brother.

Although he wiggled and giggled, Kratos only pretended to try and free himself, begging her not to eat him in between giggles. She eventually showed him mercy, switching her fake bites into kisses all over his little face. When she stopped, Kratos stared at her with adoration, kissed her cheek then buried his face in her neck.

My throat tightened with emotion as Dawn tenderly hugged him and pressed her lips on top of his head.

“Do I get a hug, too?” I said, entering the room.

Startled, Dawn jerked her head up and turned to look at me. “Hey you! I didn’t hear you come in!”

“Papa!” Kratos exclaimed, extending a hand towards me.

“I’m deadly silent like that,” I replied teasingly as I closed the distance between us before taking my son. He hugged me. I returned his embrace and kissed his forehead.

“K’atos save A’gos,” my son said, pointing a finger at his baby brother. “Dawn eat K’atos!”

“She ate you?!” I exclaimed with an overly exaggerated shock.

Kratos gave me one big nod.

“Eat, eat, eat K’atos,” he said, poking at the different spots on his belly where she’d bitten him.

I playfully glared at Dawn. “You can’t eat my sons. It’s forbidden.”

“But I was hungryyyyy,” she said in a whiny tone before making a pouty face that had me chuckling.

“Then we’ll have to make sure Rehata cooks extra food to keep you well fed,” I replied, then turned back to my son. “You were brave protecting your little brother, as is your duty.”

“K’atos stwong!” he exclaimed flexing his left arm up in an effort to show off his biceps but only displayed a chunky little baby arm that had evenmewanting to take a playful bite out of.

Dawn, Neyti, and I all burst out laughing.

“Yes, little man,” Dawn said affectionately. “You’re very strong.”

He puffed out his little chest proudly.

“Very strong, and also very ready for bed,” Neyti intervened.

Despite some weak protest, Kratos didn’t make much of a fuss as we tucked him into bed and kissed him goodnight.

We headed back together to my room…ourroom. I kicked off my boots and lured Dawn to the sitting area near the fireplace. I sat down and settled her in my lap. She ruffled my hair before wrapping an arm around my shoulders.

“Long day?” she asked in a sympathetic voice.

“Never ending,” I replied, sounding dejected.

“How are you feeling?” she asked with a sliver of concern.

“I’m tired of being tired,” I said, my aggravation at the situation clearly audible. “I wish Deimos was still alive so I could kill his ass again.”

Dawn chuckled and shook her head. “While I understand the sentiment, he’s definitely not coming back after the number you did on him. What you need is food and rest.”

I rolled my eyes and grunted in exasperation. “Rehata has been stuffing me like she intends for me to be the main course at the next feast. By the time I leave the table, I can hardly breathe, I’m so full. At this point, she’ll make me fat before she makes me better.”

Dawn giggled and peered at me as if I was just being a brat about this situation. “First off, Braxians don’t get fat. And second, we do need to put some meat back on you.”

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