Page 47

"You'll what? Storm down the stairs and defeat the most powerful demoness in Aerasak's business world with your sleep-deprived glare?"
"It's worked on you," she counters, already backing toward the bed.
I suppress a smile and turn away with both twins cradled against me. My mother's footsteps sound on the stairs, precise and measured.
When I step into the hallway, Kaelesha is already halfway up, her tall figure commanding attention as always. Her horns—larger and more elaborately curved than mine—are adornedwith gold cuffs that match her impeccably tailored suit. Not a hair out of place in her severe updo, not a wrinkle on her ash-gray skin.
She stops when she sees me, her red-gold eyes—so like mine—widening at the sight of the two bundles in my arms.
"Vaelrix," she breathes, and for once, there's no criticism in her voice, no calculation in her gaze. "Let me see them."
I move down the stairs carefully, hyper-aware of every step, every movement. My mother reaches the landing and approaches with uncharacteristic hesitation.
"Two daughters," she says, peering at their tiny faces. "The messenger only said the human had delivered successfully."
"Trinity," I correct automatically. "Her name is Trinity."
My mother's eyes flick to mine briefly, but she doesn't press. Instead, she reaches out one perfectly manicured finger to touch Liora's cheek. "May I?"
The request throws me. I can't remember the last time my mother asked permission for anything. I nod, carefully transferring Liora into her waiting arms.
"This is Liora," I say, watching my mother's face closely. "And this is Kaelin."
My mother cradles Liora with unexpected proficiency, her entire demeanor softening as she gazes down at my daughter's face. "Hello, little one," she coos, her voice transformed into something I've never heard before. "Aren't you just perfect? Yes, you are."
Liora blinks up at her with those golden eyes, and my mother gasps softly. "She has our eyes. Both of them do, despite being..."
"Half-human," I finish, tensing for the criticism.
But my mother simply nods, still captivated by Liora's face. "Our bloodline runs strong. They're beautiful, Vaelrix." She looks up at me with genuine emotion. "You've done well."
Something loosens in my chest—a knot of tension I didn't realize I'd been carrying since I sent word of the births.
"Let's sit," I suggest, heading toward the sitting room. "Trinity's resting upstairs."
My mother follows, still murmuring softly to Liora. When we're settled on opposite chairs, she finally tears her gaze from my daughter.
"They both look healthy. Strong." She strokes Liora's cheek again. "This one has your thoughtfulness. I can see it already."
"And this one has your temper," I reply, nodding to Kaelin who stirs restlessly against me.
To my shock, my mother laughs—a genuine sound I haven't heard in decades. "May I hold her too?"
We exchange babies with careful coordination, and my mother's expert handling makes me wonder about her early days with me, before ambition consumed her completely.
"Your father would have been proud," she says suddenly, and the unexpected mention of him—a subject never discussed—leaves me momentarily speechless.
I sit in comfortable silence with my mother, watching her rock Kaelin with surprising gentleness. The room feels different somehow—warmer, less formal. The weapons displayed on my walls and the trophies from successful hunts suddenly seem at odds with the tiny lives we're holding.
"They'll need protection," my mother says, breaking the quiet. "Powerful children always attract attention."
"They have me," I respond, the possessiveness in my voice surprising even myself.
She nods approvingly. "Yes, they do. But they should also have proper education. I can arrange for the best tutors when they're old enough."
Instead of bristling at her interference as I normally would, I find myself considering it. "That would be... helpful."
"And what of their mother?" She asks the question casually, but I know better.