Page 103 of Crimson Skies

According to Galliad and Regina, no Dryad’s seedling had reached maturation that quickly in the history of their race. But, just as Atropos had foreseen, Noah had been born a baby instead of a fully grown adult like the Dryads.

Three years after the war ended, magic started returning to Earth. Hexa was now operating several offices and Adrianne, Bailey, Charlie, and Suzie had almost regained their powers. As for the debate about whether the otherworldly who had fallen to Earth should return to their realms, it had died a swift death following the battles that had raged across the planet.

The human race had the otherworldly to thank for their survival.

Some chose to return to their worlds, eager to reunite with long lost family. But most stayed, their ties with their human partners and the friends they had made on Earth stronger still.

There had been no news from the Nether since Cassius had left to go there with Theo and Victor. It was a reality Morgan had come to terms with before their departure. The training of a new Awakener was so fierce the realm had to be locked from the inside for the protection of all others.

The Moirai kept them updated with their visions and reassured everyone all was well and progressing as it should. They reported that Victor’s core had absorbed a fragment of Theo and Rohengar’s soul without any complications and he was becoming stronger by the day.

The doorbell rang just as Morgan emerged from the room.

“I’ll get it,” he told Loki.

He headed down the hall and opened the door to find Phebei standing on the threshold with Bostrof. Noah straightened in his baby chair.

“Bibi!” he squealed.

Loki smiled at the little girl.

Phebei beamed. “Noah! Loki!”

She rushed past Morgan and made a beeline for her next favorite people in the world after her parents. She hugged Loki tight enough to make the imp wince, leaned down, and pressed a noisy smooch to Noah’s lips.

Noah giggled, confused.

Morgan and Loki cut their eyes to Bostrof.

“Sorry.” The Lucifugous scratched his cheek with a sheepish expression. “Here, I brought dinner.”

He handed two huge take-out bags to Morgan.

“I know you and Lilaia are trying for a second kid, but how about you keep your hands off one another in front of your precocious firstborn so she doesn’t go round violating other children’s lips?” Morgan grumbled while Loki carefully separated Phebei and Noah.

“It’s getting harder to find some private time,” Bostrof muttered. “Phebei is as stealthy as a ninja.”

Phebei grinned at her father’s words. Her phenomenal physical growth had slowed after her second birthday and she now looked like an average five-year-old, albeit on the tall side.

Loki sniffed the air and wrinkled his nose. “Uh-oh. Someone needs his diaper changing.”

He lifted a gurgling Noah out of his baby chair and carried him to the nursery.

“I’ll help,” Phebei piped up. She followed Loki into the room, her bright voice ringing clearly through the apartment. “I heard Mama mention to a friend that the size of a man’s pee-pee is impor—hey!”

Loki ignored her protests, carried her out of the room with a pinched expression, plonked her on her feet, and closed the door in her face.

Bostrof sighed at Morgan’s scowl. “I’ll have a word with Lilaia.”

Phebei banged on the nursery door. “Let me in!”

“Not until you learn how to behave like a lady,” Loki retorted firmly.

The little girl frowned and put her hands on her hips. “But Iama lady!”

Morgan bit his lip at her outraged expression.

“Ladies don’t talk about men’s pee-pees,” Loki said sternly.