26. Dezoth
26
DEZOTH
I burst through Vashti's front door, my boots tracking mud across her pristine floor. Blood drips from a gash above my eye, and my clothes bear the marks of battle. The metallic scent of demon blood clings to my skin.
Vashti stands at the bottom of her sweeping staircase, arms crossed. A knowing smile plays at her lips. "They're upstairs. Ada's resting, but Rose-"
"Cappy Dez!" Rose's voice rings out from above, pure joy cutting through the lingering darkness of the fight.
I take the stairs two at a time, my heart pounding harder than it did during the battle. My golden eyes lock onto the tiny figure at the top of the stairs. Rose's honey-blonde curls bounce as she launches herself into the air without hesitation.
My breath catches. Such trust. Such complete faith that I'll catch her.
I snatch her from the air, careful to angle my body so the blood on my clothes doesn't touch her dress. Her tiny arms wrap around my neck, and she presses her face into my shoulder. The violet eyes she inherited from her father shine with delight.
"You're all dirty." She pats my cheek with her small hand. "Did you fight the bad guy?"
I wonder then if Rose even knows who that man was. For her sake, I hope not. I don't want that truth to mar her.
"I sure did." I adjust her in my arms, settling her more securely against my chest. "He won't bother you or your mother again."
"Promise?"
"I swear it." The words come out rougher than intended. The memory of Varyk's threats against his own grandchild flashes through my mind.
Rose's fingers trace the ritual markings on my forearm. "You got an ouchie." She points to the cut above my eye.
"Nothing that won't heal." I press my forehead to hers, breathing in her innocent scent of flowers and sunshine. "Are you and your mother well?"
"Mama's sleeping. Auntie Vashti gave her special tea." Rose's face scrunches up. "She was crying, but I held her hand until she fell asleep."
My chest tightens. I hold Rose closer, silently vowing that Ada will never have cause to cry like that again.
With Rose nestled against my chest, I stride down the hallway. The floorboards creak beneath my boots, marking each step toward the guest room. My muscles tense with each foot forward, until-
Ada stands in the doorway, her braid loose and messy from sleep. Dark circles shadow her eyes, but she's alive. Safe. The vice around my lungs loosens.
"Look Mama, Cappy Dez got the bad guy!" Rose wiggles in my arms, pointing to the blood on my clothes.
Ada's warm brown eyes meet mine, haunted but steady. She wraps her arms around herself, shoulders straight despite her obvious exhaustion. "Are you certain he's-"
"Dead." I keep my voice low, mindful of the child in my arms. "He won't come near you again."
She nods once, her fingers brushing the scar on her collarbone - a reminder of her last escape. The gesture makes my blood boil anew.
"You're hurt." Ada steps closer, her practical earth-toned dress swishing against the floor. Her hand reaches toward the cut above my eye, then drops. Always cautious, even now.
"It's nothing."
"Mama can fix it!" Rose declares. "She knows all about herbs and stuff. She made my tummy better when it hurt."
A ghost of a smile touches Ada's lips. "I doubt the Captain needs my help, sweetheart."
"The Captain would be grateful." The words slip out before I can stop them. Ada's eyes widen slightly, and I clear my throat. "If you're willing."
She studies me for a long moment, her quick wit assessing every angle. Finally, she nods. "Very well. But first, you should change. You're covered in..." Her eyes flick to Rose.
"Mud," I supply. "Just mud."
"Right." Ada's dignity never wavers, even in these circumstances. "Vashti laid out fresh clothes in the washroom."
I shift Rose to my hip. "Then I'll clean up and return for that healing, if the offer stands."
"It stands." Her voice is quiet but firm, like steel wrapped in silk.
Once I get cleaned up and changed - thankfully, I have clothes here at my aunt's house - I sit while Ada tends to me. She assures me she's fine and nothing is wrong that won't mend. But I still can't stop assessing her.
Rose's tiny fingers trace the silver insignia on my collar, a habit she's always had - the very thing that drew her to me. The familiar weight of her in my arms settles something wild in my chest, even as her endless chatter fills the hallway.
"And then Auntie Vashti showed me how to make my sparkles change colors in the air!" She demonstrates, her face scrunching in concentration. She casts the purple sparkles I showed her to make but that shimmer blue as they fall. "See? Just like you taught me, but prettier colors."
"That's great."
"And we had tea with her fancy cups." Rose continues, oblivious to the undercurrent of tension. "The ones with gold on them. She let me pour!" Her chest puffs with pride. "I only spilled a little bit."
"A natural hostess." I shift her weight, wanting to keep her - keep them both - close. Her violet eyes - so like her father's - sparkle with joy at the praise.
"Mama didn't want tea. She was watching out the window a lot." Rose's voice drops to what she probably thinks is a whisper. "I think she was looking for you."
Ada's cheeks flush. "I was being cautious, that's all."
"Of course." I keep my tone neutral, though something warm unfurls in me at Rose's words. "A wise approach, given the circumstances."
Rose tugs at my silver-corded hair, which has partly come loose during the fight. "Your hair's all messy. Want me to fix it? Auntie Vashti taught me braids."
"I'd love for you to, after your Mama is done." Rose nods, seeming to agree to that.
Ada watches our interaction, her arms still wrapped around herself. The haunted look hasn't left her eyes, but there's something else there now - a softness she usually guards carefully.
Ada steps toward me, her warm brown eyes swimming with a mix of fear and apology. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have doubted-"
I don't let her finish. With my free arm, I pull her against my chest, careful not to crush Rose between us. Ada stiffens for a heartbeat before melting into the embrace. Her honey-blonde braid tickles my arm as she presses her face into my shoulder, right next to where Rose still clings.
The weight of them both against me ignites something primal in me. My arm tightens around Ada's waist, and I breathe in the herb-sweet scent of her hair. Rose wiggles happily between us, one hand gripping my collar while the other pats Ada's cheek.
"Group hug!" Rose declares, her violet eyes bright with joy.
Ada lets out a watery laugh against my chest. Her fingers curl into the fabric of my shirt, and I feel the slight tremor in her hands. The vulnerability in that small gesture makes my throat tight.
I press my face into Ada's hair, my voice pitched low enough that only she can hear. "I will burn this world to ash before I let anyone harm either of you again."
She pulls back just enough to meet my eyes, her own wide with surprise at the intensity of my words. The haunted look that's shadowed her gaze since I met her flickers, replaced by something warmer, more trusting.
"Both of us?" Her voice barely carries above a whisper.
"Both of you." My golden eyes hold hers, letting her see the truth of my vow. "Always."
Rose squirms between us, completely unaware of the weight of this moment. "Mama's not crying anymore," she announces proudly, patting Ada's face again. "I told her Cappy Dez would make it better."
Ada's cheeks flush pink, but she doesn't pull away from my embrace. Instead, she rests her head back against my chest, her body relaxing further into my hold.
The feeling of them both in my arms settles something wild and possessive in my soul. Mine to protect. Mine to cherish. Mine to keep safe.
Never again will they know fear. Never again will they have to run. I tighten my hold on them both, a silent promise sealed in blood and honor.