14. Mira
14
MIRA
T he afternoon sun streams through the windows as I lift Nova from the bed after their nap. They had used a lot of magic this morning making "Uncle Karn's shop pretty." Luna's already bouncing by the door, her copper curls wild from sleep.
"Can we play outside, Mama?" Luna tugs at my skirt. The word catches in my chest - not with pain anymore, but with a warmth I'm still getting used to.
"Let me fix your hair first, little star." I gather her curls, identical to her father's shade. My fingers work through the tangles while Nova patiently waits her turn, arranging her stuffed animals in a neat row.
"Mama, look!" Nova waves her tiny hands, and sparkles of purple light dance between her fingers. "I made it pretty!"
"Beautiful magic, sweetheart." The endearment slips out naturally now. "Just remember what your uncle said about using it inside."
Luna bounces on her toes. "Outside! Outside!"
Once they're appropriately dressed, we settle in the small garden behind the workshop. The twins immediately start their favorite game - Luna creating tiny whirlwinds to chase the fallen leaves while Nova changes their colors. I sit cross-legged in the grass, ready to intervene if their magic gets too enthusiastic.
"Mama! Catch!" Luna sends a golden leaf spinning my way. I snatch it from the air, and Nova immediately turns it bright blue.
"Again!" They both clap their hands, and I find myself laughing along with them. The sound surprises me - six months ago, I wouldn't have believed I could laugh like this again.
A cool breeze ruffles my skirt, and I wrap my arms around myself. The garden's stone wall provides shelter from prying eyes - something I still appreciate, even knowing I'm safe here. The twins' laughter rings pure and sweet, untouched by the shadows in their past.
"Watch this, Mama!" Luna spreads her arms wide, face scrunched in concentration. Three leaves rise from the ground, spinning in a circle. Nova's eyes light up, and the leaves shift from red to purple to gold.
"My turn!" Nova waves her hand, and one leaf transforms into a thalivern. It flutters for two seconds before reverting back with a pop. Her lower lip trembles.
"Almost had it that time." I scoot closer, opening my arms. She crawls into my lap, while Luna plops down beside us, pressing against my side. "Remember what your uncle said about transformation magic?"
"Small steps," Nova mumbles into my shoulder.
"That's right. Even the greatest mages started with baby steps."
Luna pats her sister's back. "You can do it! Try again!" Her enthusiasm sparks another smile from Nova.
The girls return to their play, and I watch them work together - Luna lifting the leaves, Nova practicing her transformations. They move in perfect sync, even their failures becoming part of their game. My fingers trace the brand on my wrist absently. These moments still feel like stolen treasure, precious and fragile.
"Mama, sing the thalivern song!" Luna tugs at my sleeve. Nova claps in agreement.
"Please please please!"
My throat tightens - old habits die hard. But their violet eyes shine with such hope, and I find myself softening. The melody rises naturally, words flowing like water.
The twins sway to the rhythm, adding their own voices in sweet discord. Nova's next leaf-thalivern stays transformed a few seconds longer, encouraged by the song. Luna creates a gentle breeze to make it dance.
By the time I finish, I notice that the sun has started to dip, casting long shadows across the garden. "Time to get cleaned up, little stars." I gather their small hands in mine. "Your uncle will be done with his forge work soon."
"Can we have bubbles?" Luna skips beside me while Nova holds my other hand, still focused on changing a leaf's color as we walk.
"If you promise not to float them all over the ceiling again." I guide them through the back door through the kitchen and to the bathroom.
While the water warms, I help them out of their play clothes. Luna twirls naked around the bathroom while Nova carefully folds her dress - as well as a two-year-old can. The contrast between them never fails to make me smile.
"In you go." I lift them one at a time into the tub, adding the soap that creates their beloved bubbles. Nova immediately starts shaping them into tiny castles while Luna splashes water at imaginary dragons.
"After we do storytime?" Nova asks, knowing that I will say yes like I do every night.
"Of course. Now, hold still so I can wash your hair." I work the soap through Luna's copper curls, that only make me think of Karn right now. She squirms, distracted by a floating bubble.
"Mama?" Luna turns those violet eyes on me. "I want the princess story."
"Okay," I answer. "We can do that."
And then, with all the innocence a two year old can muster, she bluntly asks, "Why don't you kiss Uncle Karn like the prince and princesses in the story books?"
The soap slips from my hands, splashing into the water. Heat floods my cheeks. "I... that's..."
Nova pauses her bubble-castle construction to watch me with equal curiosity. "Uncle Karn looks at you like the prince looks at the princess."
"He does not." The words come out too quick, too defensive. I focus on rinsing Luna's hair, trying to ignore how my hands shake slightly. "Your uncle is very kind to let me stay here, that's all."
"But you look at him too." Luna nods, as if she's solved a great mystery. "When he's working and gets all sweaty-"
"Time to wash your face!" I scoop up a handful of bubbles, gently cutting off that particular observation. My cheeks burn hotter, remembering exactly how it felt for their uncle to kiss me. The way his muscles felt beneath my hands, the way he growled against my mouth-
"Mama's turning red!" Nova giggles, splashing water at me.
"Am not." I reach for a towel, grateful for the distraction.
I turn to grab a towel and freeze. Karn fills the doorway, his violet eyes wide as they meet mine. His work shirt clings to his broad chest, which looks to be slightly damp from a shower. My mouth goes dry. Why does he have to look so freaking good? Heat floods my cheeks as I remember Luna's words about princes and kisses.
"Uncle Karn!" The twins squeal in unison, standing up in the tub. Water sloshes everywhere.
"Careful-" I reach for them, but Karn's already there, his movements swift despite his size. He catches Nova as she leaps, wrapping her in the towel I'd dropped.
"Little troublemakers." His deep voice rumbles with affection. Luna bounces impatiently, arms raised for her turn.
I grab another towel, doing everything I can to stop the thoughts from bubbling up in my mind again. I haven't stopped thinking about our kiss, about how much I want to give into him and how stupid I'll feel if I do and it goes wrong. I feel trapped in a different way than I ever have been.
"Up!" Luna demands. Karn scoops her up one-handed, Nova tucked in his other arm.
I follow him down the hall. "Here." I hand him Luna's nightdress, and when our eyes meet, I forget why I'm holding back. But then he looks away, and I try to shake off the feelings that come with being beneath his gaze.
I've been avoiding him since our kiss, drowning in my own confusion and thoughts even as the memories plague. But the twins notice everything - especially the way my eyes follow him when he's near.
"Storytime?" Nova asks through a yawn as Karn helps her into her nightgown.
"Of course." Karn's voice softens. He carries them toward their room while I clean up the water, trying to steady my racing heart.
Just his presence has triggered the thoughts again. Kissing him…was everything. And the more I've thought about it, the more I've wanted to do it again.
I'm tired of overthinking it when I'm craving him like he is damn air.
In their bedroom, I watch him tuck them in with gentle hands that can bend metal to his will. His copper hair falls loose around his face, and I remember how it felt sliding through my fingers that night.
Luna grabs her favorite book. "The princess story!"
My cheeks burn again. Karn glances at me, a question in those violet eyes. I look away first, but I can still feel the weight of his gaze. I wonder how much he heard earlier.
I settle beside the girls, letting Karn take care of the story tonight. He does great voices as he practically recites the book, and I let myself stare at him.
Emotion washes over me with the way his eyes brighten with magic, how he gives his all to the story. He loves his nieces so much, he's been so kind to me. He's smart and strong…and hotter than the forge downstairs. He makes me feel safe and like I can smile and laugh and he won't let anyone get in the way.
I don't know what tomorrow holds. I don't know if I'll be here forever - but I want to be. And I'm damn tired of holding back from the only one who has ever treated me like a real person.
I miss the end of the story, but soon, Karn is closing the book, kissing the girls goodnight. I climb out of the bed as he tucks them in, following him out.
My body thrums with this need to give in, to feel him, to taste him. My mind screams not to trust him, but I've learned that Karn is not like other demons. Last night alone proves it. I can trust him, and I don't want my past to define us any longer.
He shuts the door and turns to me, his eyes lifting from the floor. "Mira-"
He doesn't get the words out as my resolution snaps into place. I surge forward, pressing my lips to his. My fingers tangle in his copper hair as I pull him closer, desperate to taste him again. His strong hands span my lower back, burning through the thin fabric of my dress.
"Mira-" He breaks away, but I chase his mouth.
"No more running." I kiss him harder, deeper. "I'm done being afraid."
His grip tightens, and a low growl rumbles in his chest. The sound shoots straight through me, igniting every nerve ending. He tastes like smoke and metal, and something uniquely Karn that makes my head spin.
My back hits the wall opposite the twins' door. His massive frame cages me in, but for the first time in my life, being trapped doesn't terrify me. This is Karn. The demon who gave me sanctuary when I had nothing. Who trusted me with his precious nieces. Who looks at me like I'm a real fucking person when no one else has.
I arch into him, my hands sliding down to grip his shoulders. The solid muscle beneath my fingers reminds me of all those times I've watched him, dreaming of touching him like this.
"You've given me everything," I whisper against his mouth. "A home. A family. A life worth living." My voice breaks. "I never should have let my past keep us apart."
Because now… Now I want to give him everything.
His violet eyes blaze with an intensity that steals my breath. The same intensity I've caught glimpses of when he thinks I'm not looking. His calloused thumb traces my cheek with impossible gentleness.
"You didn't." His voice is rough, desperate. "I've just been waiting until you were ready. Since the moment you walked into my shop."
I pull him down for another kiss, pouring everything I feel into it. All the gratitude, the trust, the want that's been building for months. His arms tighten around me like he never plans to let go.
And for the first time in my life, I pray he never does.