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“We’re working on that.” He nodded at something across the room. “Besides, those two keep me plenty busy for now.”

She twisted out of his grasp and smiled. Aunt Evalyn held the hands of two beautiful raven-haired children. With wide blue eyes, Sadira looked around the room. Aramis was wiggling to break free from Evalyn’s hold.

“A boy and a girl, just like you wanted,” Hel whispered against her ear. “Or do you want more?”

Their twins were five already. She couldn’t believe how quickly time had passed. Sadira had a soft voice and was well-mannered until she was upset, then her fiery temper came out. She was showing signs of magic by making her toys float around her room, but they didn’t know her specific affinity yet. Like herfather, she had an ivory complexion, full pink lips and straight black hair that she liked to braid herself. She also loved to remind her brother she was technically the oldest of them.

Aramis was rambunctious, always on the move and liked to torment everyone by finding toads and small critters to hide in various places. His magic wasn’t apparent yet, but he could already read books well beyond his age, books most children didn’t read until they were in their teen years. With a splash of freckles across his nose and bright blue-green eyes against an olive-toned complexion, he was a good mix of his parents. His little cherub cheeks were perfectly kissable too.

“Two is perfect for me. Why, do you?”

“I’m exhausted just thinking about more.” Hel chuckled. “Aramis is too much like his mother, wild and always getting into trouble.”

Another eye roll was warranted. “You mean, he’s exactly like you.” Next to Sadira was their cousin, Alwyn, only three months younger than the twins. Her golden curls tumbled to her low back, and she had bright emerald-green eyes. She held the bottom hem of her dress and twirled in place. A dancer like her mother. “Evalyn spoils them. They’re supposed to be asleep by now. She certainly didn’t spoil me.”

“She’s older now. Let her spoil them a little. It makes her happy.” He waved for them to come.

Aramis broke free first and ran at him giggling. Sadira’s light-blue dress swished with each step. She stumbled on the hem of it, stopped, lifted it, and continued.

They quickly climbed the armrest and Sadira leaned forward and rubbed her nose against Hel’s. It was their usual greeting and was the most precious thing she’d ever seen. Hel looked good as a father. The day the twins were born changed him. He joked that his black heart was now split three ways. It was funny sometimes to see this male who could be so ruthless, who wouldtake life without remorse, covered in tattoos with a filthy mouth, and yet be so gentle and kind to their children.

Aramis stood on the armrest next to her and jumped onto her lap. “Mama!” He touched the tip of his little pointed ears poking out of his wavy, shaggy hair then hers. “How come Alwyn doesn’t have ears like us? But Reed has ears like ours?”

“Well because she is only half elf.”

“So is Reed. That’s her brother.”

Valeen chuckled. “She just has ears like Aunty Kat and Reed has ears more like Uncle Thane.” When he first started talking, he couldn’t say “Katana” without fumbling through the syllables and had settled on “Kat.”

“But Aunt Kat is a goddess and so are you.”

“Your mother is an elfandgoddess,” Hel said. “One day we will tell you the story.”

Katana scooped Alwyn into her arms and carried her over with Thane right behind them. “The little gremlins snuck out of their beds,” Katana teased.

“When is Reed going to be big enough to play sword fight?” Aramis pushed out his lower lip. “I hate playing with dolls and that’s all the girls want to do.”

“No, we play more than just dolls!” Alwyn crowed and stuck out her tongue.

“Don’t do that, it’s bad manners.” Katana tapped her nose lightly. “Reed will play swords in a couple years, sweet boy. Be patient.”

“Don’t you play swords with Darrio? He’s your age,” Thane said, folding his arms. Piper and Ronan’s son was over nearly every weekend.

Aramis folded his arms too. “He has wings, it’s not fair. Even dad has wings. I want wings.”

Hel laughed. “Maybe for your birthday.”

Sadira grinned and clapped. “If he gets wings, I want them too!”

“Me too!” Alwyn squealed.

Thane nudged Hel’s side. “You’re on flying lessons then.”

“Where’s Tiffy? I want Tiffy? She’s so squishy. I like to squeeze her.” Sadira looked about the room. And as if on command Tif wandered up the steps of the dais.

“The cupcakes are phenomenal.” Tif grinned with chocolate still smeared around her mouth. Sadira flew at her, swooped her up and squeezed her so hard Tif’s face turned bright red. “Can’t breathe.”

“For the last time, she’s not a doll,” Valeen said. “Be gentle!”