25. Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Four
Zeke
Zak and Eve raced around the house like the hooligans they were, laughing and screaming in equal amounts. They were heading towards their terrible twos at break-neck speed, and each was an adorable ball of trouble.
Nina had begun packing their bags, asking them to choose one toy to bring along. It’d resulted in hysteria and mass casualties of the stuffed animal kind. Thrown off beds, trampled underfoot, and stuffed into toyboxes, the ‘favorite’ status wasn’t an enviable one amongst the teddy bear nation.
Not that Zeke minded.
He cherished every moment with his two younglings. They were a happy family of four, something he’d never thought would be in the cards for him after his sister had passed and parents had sought the Light.
“Back in your room!” he shouted over the loud squeals.
His lips peeled back from his teeth in a mock feral grimace his children called ‘mean man.’ The twins knew from experience that tickling ensued when they disobeyed him.
Giggling up a racket, they scrambled away toward the comfort of their mother. Nina was placing folded clothes in canvas bags Zeke still didn’t understand the need for.
“Why are we packing for them, again? They have everything they need at Tzuriel’s house—and our Ontario home is right next door.”
“Because I want them comfortable, Zeke.” A hint of longing shadowed her gaze. “Bringing their favorite clothes and teddy bears with them will help.”
Not for the first time, he wondered at her task, at what had made Nina scour the world’s archives for knowledge. She’d steadfastly refused to disclose it to him, and as the battle drew near, he became more and more concerned.
“They’ll be fine, Nina.”
Her gaze dropped, suddenly weary. “I know they will be.”
Zeke had a feeling they were no longer speaking about tonight’s sleepover at Uncle Tzuriel’s house. He walked into the room and lowered himself to sit in front of her. Propping his thumb under her chin, he beckoned, “Tell me what’s wrong.”
Nina blinked quickly as if hiding tears. “I’m just worried they won’t bring the right stuffed animal.”
It was so much deeper than that. Despite her reluctance to tell him, he had experienced the despair that’d rocked though her over the past several months. The lack of communication on the topic chipped away at their happiness. Now, so close to the end, he had to hope that after the battle, she would finally be free from what weighed on her.
Zeke pressed a tender kiss to her cheek, then pulled her up to her feet. “Come on, let’s make dinner.”
“Or rather, you watch while I make dinner?”
“Something like that.” Shooing their twins down the stairs, Zeke curled an arm around her waist. “I love you, Nina.”
“I love you, too, Zeke. Always.”
Entering the kitchen where the twins were already perusing the pantry, Nina grinned. “What do you want for dinner, you little goblins?”
“Ice cream!” Eve’s baby blues shined up at them, pleading. Zak, clearly catching onto the game, did the same.
Nina gave in. “Sounds good to me. Okay with you, Daddy?”
“I’m game as long as Mommy eats, too.”
“Oh, I never miss ice cream.”
His mate chuckled, proceeding to grab Chunky Monkey from the freezer and scoop heaping piles of the frozen treat into Disney themed bowls. The children were over the moon.
Sprinkles, whipped cream, cherries, and chocolate chunks were the toppings of choice for the toddler duo. Nina added chocolate and peanut butter to hers, savoring each spoonful in a way that had Zeke’s blood heating.
After a second helping for Eve, and a third bowl for Zak, both children were happily sprawled on the couch while Zeke threw the rinsed off dishes in the sink. It was delightfully domestic. He collapsed on the couch next to Nina minutes later, and she tucked up her feet and snuggled into his side.
“Have you checked on Remmus at all?”
Zeke nodded. “He’s sleeping, but still low on reserves. I’ve been funneling energy into him since yesterday.”
“Thank you.” Her fingers found his. “I’m glad he’s okay. He had me worried.”
“You and me both.”
Since Zeke had discovered the truth of Remmus’ past, he had nothing but pride in the man for overcoming the realities of his upbringing—and of his parents.
“What do you think about what Key said yesterday?”
“About your decision?” Nina’s kissable lips pouted in thought. “I’m not sure. I don’t know what to make of it.”
“Only time will tell.”
As the clock struck eight and their children began the telltale protests about going to bed, Nina sprung to her feet and flipped on some music. Beginning with Sweet Child o’ Mine and progressing to Jailhouse Rock and the classic Sweet Home Alabama , his mate beckoned their children up and onto the dance floor.
All three of them swayed and danced to the beat, their smiles contagious. The noise, however, brought with it their fair share of observers.
With the battle being less than twenty-four hours away, Key had forbidden any Raeth from teleporting, so every couple who would fight tomorrow was there for the night. While the men mostly stayed to the sidelines, the women were far keener to join in.
Blair and Toni were the first to let loose, followed swiftly by Zia and Lucy. Rukia threw her hands up and brought Isaak to the dance floor, and Remmus dragged Ava in moments later. Pretty soon, almost everyone in the house was laughing and dancing, swaying to the music.
Zeke beamed ear to ear.
As the party wound down and he gathered his now-sleepy children in his arms, he heard Drake ask Nina a question he couldn’t stew over too long. “How can you be so carefree, knowing what we face tomorrow?”
“Have a little faith, Drake,” Nina encouraged. “I’ve no doubt in my mind that we’ll win.”
As they put their children to bed, Zeke sensed the building of melancholy in his mate’s soul. She read them not the obligatory two, but five sleepy time books, snuggling with each of them and peppering their faces with kisses until they giggled at her to stop. Then, she softly sang each of them their own personalized lullaby, as many times as they wanted to hear it. By the time Nina switched off the light in their room, her eyes were misty.
Sniffling, she wrapped herself around Zeke’s waist as he closed the door to the twins’ room. He held her, gently sifting his fingers through her wavy brunette hair, and letting her unwind from a day that’d clearly taken its toll.
“We’re going to be okay, Nina.”
“I know,” she sniffled. “I know we will.”
His lips found hers, and the kiss unfolded like a choreographed dance. His fingers threaded through her hair, drawing her to him, as she cupped his cheek and asked for more. Nina was his drug and his paradise; everything he’d ever yearned for tied together in the beautiful woman that was his mate.
He turned molten for her, his psychic senses unraveling as she claimed him with every fiber of her being. The raw undercurrent of her strength only made him hungry for more.
When she retreated from his lips, she whispered, “I have something for you, Zeke. Come with me.”
Curious, he followed her to the living room where several couples still lingered, her fingers linked with his. When Nina picked up her guitar from behind the couch, he held his breath. Now that they were mated, Zeke heard her voice often, but never got over the simple magnificence of it.
As she began to sing, the purity of her voice drew an audience. Save the children, tucked in their beds, no one stayed away. With every song, she offered her voice to those who’d listen. She sung for what seemed like hours, gifting them all something that could never be taken away.