Page 28 of Demon Daddy’s Little Girl

28

DEZOTH

T he afternoon sun filters through my study windows as I review guard rotation schedules. It's been months since I had anything more pressing to do - not after news of Lord Varyk's death spread and Rolfo and I were able to put an end to the half-demon children's disappearances. It seemed he was forcing demons to bend to him and after taking out a few of his servants, there was no one left in support of his ideas.

A familiar knock echoes through the room - three quick taps followed by two slow ones. Vashti's signature.

"Enter."

My sister glides in, her jewel-toned dress swishing against the floor. She pauses by my desk, a knowing smile playing on her lips. Through the window behind her, I catch glimpses of Rose chasing thaliverns in the garden while Ada tends to the herbs.

"You're watching them again." Vashti perches on the edge of my desk, her golden eyes sparkling with mischief.

I set down my quill. "I'm ensuring their safety."

"Mhmm." She picks up one of my paperweights, turning it in her hands. "The same way you 'ensured their safety' during Rose's tea party yesterday? With a tiara on your head?"

"The crown was necessary for proper tea etiquette."

Her laugh rings through the study. "Brother dear, when will you admit what's obvious to everyone else?"

"And what would that be?"

"That you want them to stay. Permanently." She sets down the paperweight. "I see how you look at them. How you've changed since they arrived."

I've told Ada I love her. I've asked her to stay. But there's one step further, I need to go. So she can see that I will never change how I feel.

My fingers trace the ritual markings on my forearms. "I want them to be my family, Vashti. Not just temporary wards under my protection."

"Have you told Ada?"

"How?" I stand, pacing to the window. Rose has convinced Ada to make flower crowns, their heads bent together in concentration. "After everything she's been through, how do I tell her I want her to give me everything? She's learning to trust me, and I don't want to push her too far."

Vashti joins me at the window. "By being honest. Ada's stronger than you think. And Rose already adores you - or should I say 'Cappy Dez'?"

"This isn't a joke."

"I'm not joking." She touches my arm. "You deserve happiness, brother. After Raina-"

"This is different."

"Yes, it is. Which is exactly why you should fight for it."

I turn from the window, running a hand through my hair. "She's different from anyone I've ever known. The way she stands up to me, challenges me..." A rare smile tugs at my lips. "Yesterday she told me my guard rotation schedule was, and I quote, 'absolutely ridiculous and clearly made by someone who's never had to actually patrol in winter.'"

"And?" Vashti's eyes dance with amusement.

"She was right. I revised it this morning."

Vashti claps her hands together. "Oh, you've got it bad. So what's your plan?"

"Plan?"

"To propose, you dolt." She flicks my arm. "You can't just march up and say 'Be my wife' like some cave demon."

I growl under my breath. "I hadn't thought that far ahead."

"Clearly." Vashti starts pacing, her dress swishing with each turn. "It needs to be personal, meaningful. Something that shows you understand her past but are focused on your future together."

My eyes drift back to the garden where Ada is now teaching Rose about different herbs. Her braid has come loose, honey-blonde strands catching the sunlight. "The garden. It's where she feels most at home."

"Now you're thinking." Vashti taps her chin. "What about during sunset? We could string up fairy lights in the trees, scatter rose petals-"

"No." I shake my head. "Nothing elaborate or showy. That's not Ada. She values sincerity over spectacle."

"Then what about early morning? When she's usually alone in the garden? Just the two of you, surrounded by the herbs and flowers she's brought back to life."

The image settles in my mind, feeling right. "Simple. Honest. I want Rose there."

"Like Ada." Vashti smiles softly. "And you'll need a ring."

I reach into my pocket, pulling out a small velvet box. "I've had it for weeks."

Vashti snatches it, gasping when she opens it. Inside sits a delicate silver band with tiny herbs and flowers etched into the metal, each one representing something Ada grows in her garden. A small rose blooms in the center, its petals crafted from pale pink diamonds.

"You made this yourself?" Vashti whispers.

I nod, taking the box back. "Every detail."

The next morning, I kneel beside Rose in the garden before sunrise, helping her arrange the herbs exactly as we planned. Her tiny hands carefully place each sprig of lavender and chamomile in a circle.

"Like this, Cappy Dez?" Her violet eyes shine with excitement.

"Perfect, little flower." I adjust the last stem. "Remember what to say?"

She bounces on her toes. "Mama! Come look what we made!"

Right on cue, Ada emerges from the house, her braid still messy from sleep. She freezes when she sees us, her warm brown eyes widening at the herb circle.

"What's all this?" She steps closer, taking in each carefully placed plant.

"These are all the herbs you taught me about!" Rose points to each one, reciting what they are and why.

Ada kneels beside her daughter, touching the plants with gentle fingers. "And aracin blossoms for courage?"

"That was my addition." I move closer, my heart pounding. "Because you're the bravest person I know."

She looks up at me, her expression softening. "Dezoth..."

"You faced everything life threw at you with grace and strength." I take her hand. "You built a garden from nothing, taught your daughter to find beauty even in darkness."

Rose tugs at her mother's sleeve. "Mama, look what else we made!"

She holds up the ring box, nearly dropping it in her enthusiasm. Ada's breath catches as I open it, revealing the silver band catching the first rays of dawn.

"Every herb and flower you've grown here, I etched into this ring. Because you've grown roots in my heart just as surely as you've grown them in this garden." I meet her eyes. "Stay. Not as my ward, but as my mate. Let me be a father to Rose, let me protect you both - not because you need protection, but because I need you in my life."

Tears spill down Ada's cheeks as she traces the tiny rose on the ring. "You crafted this yourself?"

"Every detail."

Rose wraps her arms around both of us. "Please say yes, Mama. Cappy Dez makes the best tea party guest."

Ada laughs through her tears, looking between her daughter and me. "Yes. Yes to all of it."

My heart soars at her "yes." In one fluid motion, I sweep Ada into my arms, lifting her off the ground. Her honey-blonde hair comes completely loose from its braid as I capture her lips with mine. She tastes like morning dew and hope, her small hands gripping my shoulders as she kisses me back with equal fervor.

"Yay!" Rose launches herself at us like a tiny projectile.

I catch her with one arm, keeping Ada secure with the other. Rose's violet eyes sparkle as she wraps her arms around both our necks, squishing her face between ours.

"Now we can have tea parties every day!" She plants kisses on both our cheeks. "And magic lessons! And-"

Ada laughs, the sound pure joy. "Breathe, sweetheart."

I shift them both in my arms, marveling at how perfectly they fit there. Rose's curls tickle my chin as she snuggles closer. The morning sun bathes us in golden light, making the ring on Ada's finger shimmer as she strokes Rose's hair.

"I love you both," I murmur against Ada's temple. "My fierce gardener and my little flower."

"And we love our Cappy Dez." Rose pats my cheek. "Even when you wear the sparkly tiara crooked."

Ada's eyes dance with mischief. "Oh? I need to hear about this tiara."

"It was a very dignified affair," I deadpan, but can't help grinning as Rose launches into a detailed description of our last tea party, complete with my apparently poor tiara-wearing technique.

Here in our garden, with my arms full of everything I never knew I needed, I'm finally home.