Chapter 36
36
Anora
I smile at Olivia, still surprised she’s here. She looks great—confident, glowing, like life’s treating her right. It’s crazy seeing her again after all this time. She was a good friend to me back when I worked at Randi’s.
She had my back until everything went south—my boss, Dave, cornered me in his office, trying to strong-arm me into sleeping with him. That was the last straw. I walked out and didn’t look back, but it meant losing touch with Olivia.
Back then, she’d always help me out, showing me ways to fake high-end makeup looks on a dime. She came from money, but her life didn’t turn out the way her parents planned for her. She pushed back against them, hard. There’s this fire in her I always admired—she never cares what anyone thinks, always standing her ground.
“I can’t believe you’re a mom,” I say, still processing it.
She giggles. “Yep, twins.” The pride in her voice is obvious as she smooths her hand over her flat stomach. “ And thank God for the snapback because I was huge when I was pregnant.”
I laugh, shaking my head. Leave it to her to talk about post-baby weight so casually like it’s no big deal.
She glances toward two carriers across the room. Two women are tending to a whole group of babies, way more than I can sort through. It’s a little overwhelming.
“Jasmine and Joshua,” she says, smiling as she turns back to me.
I nod, glancing where she points. Everything about this scene seems unreal—so much life and chaos all in one space.
“Tami had her baby too,” Olivia says, her eyes lighting up. “His name is Jonah. She’s got two more: Ocran and Areilla. And then, there’s Skylar and Micah.”
Skylar’s sitting across the room, completely in her element as she tends to one of the babies. She pulls a little boy out of the carrier next to her. His eyes—striking purple—make it obvious who he belongs to.
“She’s holding Julian, her new one. They’ve also got a girl, Eden.”
I watch Skylar as she rocks in a chair, her baby latched onto her breast. She gives me a quick glance before refocusing on the baby, calm and unbothered.
“And that’s Nia,” Olivia sighs, pointing to the other woman. “She’s Levi’s mate. She has a daughter, Aya.”
My stomach twists, and I wince. The name alone sparks a whole whirlwind of emotions I’d rather not deal with right now.
“Yeah,” Olivia says, catching my reaction immediately. “Trust me, we all get it.” Her tone tells me there’s more to that story, but it’s not the time to dive in. “She also just had a boy—Amos. ”
Olivia shifts our focus to some of the older kids playing nearby. “Those are Angie’s. They’re witches and a warlock—she had them before meeting her mate. Aaron, Tiana, Kiara, and Samara. She just had a baby boy named Seth, though. He’s a hybrid, part warlock, part shifter.”
“Ah,” I say, nodding as I try to take it all in. There are so many kids, so many stories. It’s a lot to wrap my head around.
The room buzzes with warmth and energy—a kind of chaotic love I’m not used to. It’s overwhelming but not in a bad way.
Tami walks in, setting a bowl of grapes on the counter. Olivia dives in immediately, popping a few into her mouth. I grab a handful too, trying to act normal despite my nerves.
“The older kids are usually at the Academy,” Olivia says between bites. “We all pitch in with the little ones. It’s messy sometimes, but we make it work. We’ve got a common goal—to build something solid, something like a real family.” She smiles, and I can’t help but smile back.
Then her grin turns wicked. She glances at Tami, and I see the subtle eye roll from across the room.
“So,” Olivia whispers, leaning closer, “what’s it like being with the King? I met him once—let me tell you, kinda terrifying.”
I shrug. “He’s wonderful. Patient, understanding. But...” I glance between her and Tami before holding out my hand, still a little shaky. I clench it into a fist, then open it again, trying to steady myself. “I’m worried about Aya.”
Tami freezes, her back stiffening as I continue.
“She attacked me for the key,” I explain. “Crushed every bone in my hand like it was nothing.”
Tami sucks in a sharp breath and looks away. She doesn’t have to say a word; I know she’s been through her own version of this.
“And now that stupid key is back,” she mutters, gripping the edge of the counter. “I don’t want it here. It’s dangerous. What if she comes back? She’ll kill me next time. I know she will.”
I’m about to respond when heavy footsteps thunder into the room. Kane storms in, his presence filling the kitchen. Without saying a word, he pulls Tami away from the stove and into his arms, holding her like it’s the only way to keep her together.
“Enough, Tami. I’ll never let that happen,” Kane says firmly, holding her like he’s anchoring her to the ground.
I let out a small squeal when Amir’s arms wrap around my waist, his face burying into the crook of my neck. His warmth makes me relax immediately, even though I know everyone is watching. Olivia smirks at us, clearly amused by Amir’s lack of boundaries when it comes to public displays of affection. Then her eyes shift to him, sharp and teasing.
“So, I’m just supposed to call you Amir, right? Not King? You’ve turned yourself into a regular civilian now?” she says, her tone playful as she rests a hand on her hip.
Amir pulls his lips away from my neck, keeping hold of me as he meets her gaze with a calm smile. “Yes, Olivia. Just Amir. I am no king. I was never meant to be one. I took the position because my people needed a leader, not because I wanted it. All I’ve ever really wanted was a family.”
“A family? Then why’d you go to sleep for six hundred years?” Olivia fires back without missing a beat.
I smile to myself. She’s testing him, just like she tested me when we first met. That’s who Olivia is. She has this way of pushing people—breaking down walls to see who they really are. She’s blunt, and sometimes it can feel like too much, but I wouldn’t change her for anything.
Amir’s ears twitch slightly, and he clears his throat like he’s holding back a chuckle. Then he gives her a polite smile and dips his head. “Ah, the lovely Olivia. Some things are best left in the past. But believe me, my reasons were justified.”
Olivia narrows her eyes at him, clearly not satisfied with that answer, but she doesn’t push it. Not yet, anyway. She’s not one to let things go that easily, and I can already see the gears turning in her head.
“Well,” she says, raising an eyebrow, “did you take care of Dave?”
Amir’s lips curl into a sly grin before he answers.
“Olivia,” I interrupt, glaring at her. “What did you tell him?”
“I remembered those sketches you used to draw of Amir,” she says with a casual shrug. “I figured it out the second I saw him—realized he was the guy you used to obsess over. So yeah, I might’ve let it slip about Dave and what he did to you.”
Amir steps in before I can react, his expression calm but clearly proud of himself. “Oh yes, Olivia. I got my vengeance. Dave won’t harm another woman. Another piece of vermin removed from the world.” He winks at her like they’re sharing some inside joke, and I narrow my eyes at both of them.
“Good,” Olivia says, gripping my hand and squeezing it. “He really scared Anora. After she left Randi’s, I never saw her again. I’m just glad you’re okay now.” She smiles at me, a mischievous glint in her eye. “And with one of the most powerful men in the world.”
I blush, looking anywhere but at Amir, who seems to take her words as encouragement. He tightens his hold on me, pulling me closer until my back is pressed firmly against him. His lips brush my neck again, making my face burn even more.
“I can’t believe you told him about Dave,” I mutter, glaring halfheartedly at Olivia.
She rolls her eyes. “Let me tell you something, missy. Amir here? Intimidating as hell at first glance. I would’ve told him anything to get him off my back.”
She barely finishes her sentence before a small cry echoes in the room. Olivia turns immediately, her sharpness softening as her motherly instincts take over.
“Gotta go. Feeding time,” she says, walking over to Jasmine’s carrier. She scoops her baby up and settles into one of the chairs, lifting her shirt and bra as Jasmine latches on, calm and content.
I watch her for a moment, something stirring deep in me as I take it all in. Without thinking, my hand drifts to my stomach. The thought of having a baby with Amir takes over for a moment—a little life that’s ours.
But then Amir stiffens behind me, his body suddenly rigid. I glance up at him, confused, but his eyes are locked on my hand. His expression is unreadable, like he’s trying to piece something together.
“Amir?” I whisper, furrowing my brow.
He doesn’t say anything, but his jaw tightens slightly. I keep my hand on my stomach, unsure if his reaction is a good or bad sign. Does he not want children? Is it even possible for us to have one?
I don’t know much about the lore of Wintermoon or what he’s capable of, but being here now, I know one thing—I’m going to learn everything I can .
“We’ll talk about it later,” Amir tells me, his voice calm but firm. I sigh, pulling away from him.
Angie and Hazel finally stroll into the kitchen. They lean against the counter, Hazel grabbing a handful of grapes from the bowl. Amir keeps his eyes fixed on me as I grab a towel from the rack and wipe the counter down.
He’s at my side in seconds, taking the cloth from my hand.
“Hey!” I snap, glaring at him. He just grins at me, shameless.
“Anora, you won’t be doing any cleaning around here,” he says like it’s the most normal thing in the world.
I open my mouth, ready to argue, but Olivia chimes in first.
“You’ll get used to it, Anora. House of Zorah loves to pamper their women. I’m sure Amir’s no different,” she says, popping another grape into her mouth.
I roll my eyes but glance up at Amir anyway. The way he’s looking at me, his eyes so gentle, so steady, it melts my frustration almost instantly. My body softens as he pulls me back into his arms, holding me against his chest.
Kane finally lets Tami go and turns to us. “Amir, Anora, we’d be honored if you joined us for dinner tonight,” he says.
I glance up at Amir with a small smile. He sighs, clearly not thrilled, but he forces a polite smile and nods. Something about his hesitation makes me think he had other plans, and the thought makes me smirk to myself.
I look over at Angie. I haven’t had a chance to talk to her yet, but it’s obvious she’s clicked with Hazel. They seem to get along well.
“Hi, Angie,” I say, giving her a warm smile .
She returns it and walks around the counter, pulling me into a hug. “Welcome to House of Zorah,” she says kindly.
My attention shifts to Hazel, who’s still at the counter, going through the grapes like she hasn’t eaten all day.
“Hazel, are you coming to our cabin tonight?” I ask her.
She shoots me a glare, not even slowing down on the grapes. “Um, hell no. I know what you two are doing in there. I do not want to hear that shit.”
Her bluntness makes me burst into laughter, my cheeks instantly heating up. I look away, embarrassed, but my gaze lands on the key wrapped around Hazel’s wrist. The sight of it sends a shiver through me. I know what that key means. I know the danger it brings—and what Aya would do to get it back.
“What are we going to do?” I ask her, my voice quieter now.
Hazel looks to Amir. It’s like she expects him to have all the answers.
“For now, we wait,” Amir says, his tone even. “We’re safe here on Wintermoon. We’ll leave the village soon, explore the land. I’ll take you to the Tourist Island and, finally, to my island where my tomb rested.”
I nod, letting his words sink in, but the thought of his resting place lingers in my mind. Six hundred years in a tomb.
Amir leans down, planting a gentle kiss against my cheek. “But first, I’d like to spend the evening pampering you,” he says softly.
I glance up at him, my face already flushed. His closeness is overwhelming, in the best way. But then, something shifts. His body tenses, and his gaze snaps to Hazel.
The room grows quiet, and something seems off between them. I’m not sure what’s happening, but Hazel notices it too, sitting upright from the counter like she’s about to leave.
“Actually, I think I’m going back to Angie’s for the night,” Hazel says abruptly. “I’m tired.”
She starts backing away toward the door.
“Hazel, what’s going on?” I ask, stepping forward. But she doesn’t stop, doesn’t explain.
Just as I’m about to follow her, Amir grabs my arm, pulling me back toward him.
“Amir!” I shout, struggling against his grip. “Let me go!”
He doesn’t budge. Instead, he leans down and whispers in my ear, “Let her go, Anora. I’ll explain everything later at the cabin.”
I clench my jaw, glaring at him, but I stop fighting. Hazel doesn’t even look back as she storms out of the house, slamming the door behind her.
There’s an odd feeling in the air. Whatever just happened between Hazel and Amir seems complicated. They were close, but now it seems like something has shifted between them, creating an unexpected distance.
Is this about Aya? I don’t know, but I guess I’m about to find out.