Page 29

VAEL

" Da-da-da-da!" Kaelin's voice rings through the house as I step through the door, her tiny fists pounding excitedly.

My chest swells with a feeling I'm still getting used to—pride, love, and something fiercely protective that makes my horns tingle. Three months since Trinity and I confessed our love, and I'm still blindsided by these moments.

"There's my little warrior," I call, setting down my travel bag. Kaelin's red-amber eyes light up, flecks of green shimmering as she squeals louder.

Trinity looks up from where she's feeding Liora, her hair pulled back in a messy knot, dark circles under her eyes. She's never looked more beautiful.

"Look who decided to grace us with his presence," she teases, but the relief in her eyes is unmistakable. Three days on Galmoleth felt like an eternity away from them.

I cross the kitchen in three strides, bending to press my lips to hers. She tastes like sweetberries and home.

"Miss me?" I murmur against her mouth.

"Not even a little," she lies, her fingers curling into my shirt. "The peace and quiet was divine."

Liora chooses that moment to smack at the bottle in Trinity’s hand, splashing milk on her cheek. I laugh, wiping it away with my thumb.

"Peace and quiet, huh?"

"You're back early!" Jackie bustles in from the pantry, a basket of fresh quillnash balanced on her hip. "Good thing too—your mate's been driving me crazy asking when you'd return."

"I have not!" Trinity protests, but the flush creeping up her neck tells another story.

Jackie rolls her eyes, setting down the basket. "Every five minutes—'Do you think he's on his way? Should we have heard something by now?'" Her imitation of Trinity's voice is eerily accurate.

"Traitor," Trinity mutters.

I slide my arm around her waist, pulling her against my side. "I'm touched by your concern," I tease, enjoying the way she pretends to scowl even as she leans into me.

"Donna's out back harvesting dreamroot for tea," Jackie says, already turning her attention to slicing the quillnash. "She swears it'll help the twins sleep through the night."

"Nothing will help these two sleep through the night," Trinity sighs, but there's no real complaint in her voice.

I lean down to press a kiss to Liora's dark hair. She blinks up at me with those gold eyes, her little mouth forming an 'O' of surprise before she offers me a gummy smile. Something in my chest cracks open every time she looks at me like that—like I'm her entire world.

"How'd it go?" Trinity asks quietly as I move to extract Kaelin from where she’s lying. The more vocal twin immediately grabs for my horns, her favorite handhold.

"Careful, little demon," I warn, wincing as she yanks. "You're stronger than you know."

Trinity waits, her green eyes searching my face. She's asking about more than my journey—she wants to know about the women, the ones like her who were taken from Protheka.

I settle Kaelin against my chest, where she immediately begins exploring the fasteners of my leather jerkin. "It's done. All of them—every last woman in those dungeons—has been relocated."

Trinity's eyes widen, her fingers stilling on the cloth she'd been using to wipe Liora's face. "All of them? Already?"

I nod, unable to hide my satisfaction. "Asmodeus may be a royal pain in my ass, but he moves quickly when motivated. Half have chosen to stay on Galmoleth with decent living quarters and paid positions. The rest have been brought to Aerasak to start fresh."

The back door swings open, bringing with it a waft of sweet-smelling herbs and Donna's cheerful voice. "Look who I found skulking around your back garden!"

My mother steps through the door behind Jackie's wife, looking distinctly uncomfortable with her arms full of colorful wildflowers. Donna, petite and bright-eyed with her half-nymph heritage giving her skin a faint green undertone, beams like she's accomplished something miraculous.

"Your mother was admiring my herb garden," she announces, completely unfazed by the fearsome demoness's scowl. "I thought she might like to see the twins while she's here."

"Mother," I say, surprised. She rarely visits unannounced. "What brings you by?"

Murris's gaze fixes on the twins, something softening in her usually severe expression. "Can't a grandmother visit without an interrogation?"

"A normal grandmother, perhaps," Trinity says with a raised eyebrow. "You, however, usually have an agenda."

Instead of bristling at my mate's directness, my mother actually smirks. "I've decided I like you, human," she says, then thrusts the flowers toward Trinity. "These are for the girls' room. The silver ones ward off night terrors."

Trinity accepts them with a bemused expression. "Thank you."

Kaelin, spotting her grandmother, lets out a shriek of delight and lunges toward her. I barely catch the squirming bundle before she topples from my arms.

"Maybe she recognizes a fellow troublemaker," Jackie mutters, earning a sharp look from my mother that doesn't quite hide her amusement.

"Give her here," Murris commands, setting down her elaborate cloak and holding out her arms. "I want to see if she's grown into her horns yet."

I transfer my daughter carefully, watching as my formidable mother transforms into someone almost gentle, cooing at Kaelin in a voice I've never heard her use.

"No bumps yet," Trinity replies, moving to stand beside me as we watch the interaction. "But she's got your temper." She slips her hand into mine, squeezing lightly. "Thank you," she whispers, "for what you did for those women."

I bring our joined hands to my lips, pressing a kiss to her knuckles. "I promised you, didn't I?"

And I don't have to say it. I'd do anything for Trinity and she knows it.

My mother stays for dinner, surprising all of us by offering to feed Liora while Trinity and I catch our breath.

Jackie prepares a feast of roasted tuskram with herbs from Donna's garden, the rich aroma filling our home as night falls.

By the time my mother departs—with a promise to return in three days' time for what she calls "proper grandmother duties"—both twins are drowsy, their tiny eyelids drooping.

"I'll put them down," Trinity offers, gathering Liora from my arms. "You just got back. Relax for a minute."

I watch her retreat down the hallway, Kaelin already asleep against her shoulder, Liora blinking sleepily over it. The sight of them together still knocks the wind from my lungs sometimes.

I'm pouring myself a glass of amerinth when a sharp rap sounds at the front door. The sound is too purposeful to be Jackie or Donna returning from their cottage on the property.

"What now?" I mutter, setting down the glass and stalking to the entrance.

The courier standing on my doorstep is reed-thin with ashen gray skin several shades lighter than mine—a half-demon, likely. His horns are small, curved tight against his skull, and he shifts nervously from foot to foot when I fill the doorway.

"Vaelrix Rennick?" His voice cracks slightly. My reputation precedes me, clearly.

"Who's asking?" I lean against the doorframe, intentionally blocking his view into my home. Years of being hunted and hunting others have left me with habits I can't break—protecting what's mine tops the list.

He fumbles with a leather satchel, producing a sealed document. "I have a commission for you from Lord Kaz'Turoth of New Solas."

I recognize the seal immediately—one of the wealthiest merchants in the xaphan territories, known for paying extremely well. In my previous life, I'd have snatched the scroll without hesitation.

"What's the bounty?" I ask, not reaching for it.

The courier looks relieved to stick to familiar territory. "A smuggler who's stolen several artifacts from Lord Kaz'Turoth's private collection. He's believed to be hiding in Vesnios among the gorgons." He clears his throat. "The payment is fifteen novas upon delivery, dead or alive."

My eyebrows rise despite myself. Fifteen novas is enough to live comfortably for several years. Before Trinity, before the twins, I'd have been packed and halfway to Vesnios by morning.

The sound of soft humming drifts down the hallway—Trinity singing the lullaby she reserves for the girls. The one she claims she made up on the spot but I know she practiced for weeks when she thought I wasn't listening.

"I appreciate the offer," I say, straightening to my full height, "but I'm not available for hire right now."

The courier blinks, clearly thrown. "But... Lord Kaz'Turoth specifically requested you. Your tracking skills are unparalleled across?—"

"I'm aware of my reputation," I cut him off, not unkindly. "But my priorities have shifted. I have young children and a mate who need me here."

"The lord is prepared to offer twenty novas," he tries, desperation creeping into his voice.

I shake my head. "There's no sum that would take me across the continent right now. But—" I hold up a hand as his face falls, "—I can recommend someone nearly as good."

Relief flashes across his features. "Who?"

"Domno Vrath'Sarrin," I say, picturing my old hunting partner's scarred face. "He's ruthless, efficient, and discreet. Tell him I sent you, and he'll give you fair terms."

"Where can I find this Domno?"

"The Bleeding Heart tavern in Sarziroch. He's there most evenings, corner table with his back to the wall. Mention my name and show him the novas up front."

The courier nods eagerly, tucking the scroll away. "Thank you, sir. I'll tell Lord Kaz'Turoth of your recommendation."

"One more thing," I add as he turns to leave. "Tell Domno this makes us even for Shozuh."

The courier looks confused but nods. "I'll relay the message."

I watch him hurry down the path until he disappears into the forest before closing the door and securing the locks—another old habit.

"Who was that?"

Trinity stands in the hallway, her hair now loose around her shoulders, wearing one of my old shirts that hangs to her knees. The sight of her in my clothes still sparks something primal in my chest.

"Job offer," I say, crossing to her in three strides.

Her expression shifts, something wary entering her eyes. "Oh? Where to this time?"

I slide my hands around her waist, pulling her against me. "Nowhere. I turned it down."

"You... what?" She tilts her head back to study my face. "Was it not enough money?"

"It was fifteen novas," I murmur, bending to brush my lips along the column of her throat. She smells like sweetberries and our daughters, a combination that makes my chest ache.

She stiffens in my arms. "Fifteen novas? And you said no?"

I lift my head to meet her gaze. "I'm exactly where I want to be," I say simply. "Here. With you. With our daughters."

Trinity's eyes search mine, like she's looking for the lie, the hidden agenda. Old habits die hard for her, too.

"I sent them to Domno," I add, running my thumb along her lower lip. "He owes me a favor anyway."

A slow smile spreads across her face, transforming her in that way that still makes my breath catch. "You're staying."

"I'm staying," I confirm, capturing her mouth with mine. She melts against me, her arms twining around my neck, fingers threading into my hair. When we break apart, she's breathless, her cheeks flushed.

"The twins are asleep," she whispers against my lips. "For now."

I growl low in my throat, lifting her easily. Her legs wrap around my waist as I carry her toward our bedroom. "Then we should make the most of it."

And I do. I plan to make the most of every moment with my little family, the one I never expected to have.

The one I will never let go of now.