Page 10

“Is he supposed to be screaming like that?”

Malachi clutched Dante’s arm in a panic and was rewarded with a death glare from his friend.

“Do you mind?”

Dante yanked his arm away.

“Sorry.”

Malachi twisted his fingers, unable to keep still. “I wish he would let me be in there with him. Why did he kick me out when Ezekiel arrived?”

Malachi rubbed his forehead, then dragged his fingers through his hair before frantically twisting them again. “I must’ve done something wrong. I can’t stand that he’s so mad at me, of all times.”

He glanced up and was met with Dante’s smirking expression. “It’s the birth of our first child.”

Dante sighed. “So I heard.”

He clapped Malachi’s shoulder. “Amir said that Danny’s worried you’ll think he’s ugly while giving birth and won’t love him anymore.”

Malachi jerked back his head as if he’d been slapped. “That’s ridiculous.”

“Not really, buddy. I’ve learned the hard way that raging hormones are not to be trifled with. Think about how you react whenever anyone threatens your mate.”

Malachi let out a low growl, balling his fists as a flush of anger crawled up his neck.

Dante crossed his arms, smirking again. “Class dismissed.”

Malachi grunted. “Shut up.”

With a sigh, Malachi took a seat at one of the tables in the Rockies lair’s kitchen and dining area.

He tapped his fingers on the table, wondering how much longer it would take before their child was born.

Ezekiel had reassured him that sometimes first babies took a while, but that didn’t stop Malachi from worrying about Danny.

“I wish we were at home for this,”

Malachi muttered. “He’d be so much happier there.”

They’d been away from their permanent residence in the Alaska Range to celebrate Ronen’s promotion to Lead Warrior Defender, Gideon’s previous post. Danny’s due date was still two weeks away, but the baby apparently decided they couldn’t wait any longer.

Dante joined him at the table with a cup of coffee. “Amir had his first child at a lair. It was a similar situation for us. But Zeke knows what he’s doing, and everything was fine.”

Malachi eyed Dante’s coffee. “I guess you’re right. I’ve been awake all night, so I’m on edge.”

He pointed to the mug Dante held. “Is there some left?”

“Yup. I made a pot while you were arguing with Zeke. I figured you could use some.”

Malachi chuckled. “And here I was thinking you’re not all that smart.”

He winked. “Thanks.”

The moment Malachi began to rise from the table, Ezekiel appeared at the kitchen's threshold. “Who wants to meet their new little girl?”

Malachi gasped, abruptly straightening, the chair falling backwards with a clang on the stone floor.

“A girl?”

Malachi’s voice came out as barely a whisper, his heart thundering. “Danny’s okay? The baby’s healthy?”

Ezekiel’s face broke into a wide grin. “Both perfect. Danny‘s exhausted but doing wonderfully, and your daughter is absolutely beautiful. She’s got his blue eyes and your stubborn chin.”

Malachi didn’t wait to hear more. He bolted past Ezekiel, flying down the corridor toward the room where Danny had been laboring for almost ten hours. His hands shook as he pushed open the door, and the sight that greeted him made his knees nearly buckle.

Danny sat propped up against a mountain of pillows, his damp, blond hair plastered to his forehead, but his face glowed with pure joy. In his arms was the tiniest, most precious creature Malachi had ever seen. Their daughter was swaddled in a soft white blanket, her face scrunched up as she let out tiny mewling sounds.

“Mal.”

Danny’s voice was hoarse but filled with wonder. “Come meet our sweet angel.”

Malachi approached slowly, afraid his trembling legs might give out. The closer he got, the more overwhelmed he became. She was so small, so delicate, with adorable, tiny fingers peeking out from the blanket.

“She’s...”

Malachi swallowed hard, his voice thick with emotion. “She’s incredible, Danny. You’re incredible.”

Danny shifted carefully, making room on the bed. “Want to hold her?”

Malachi’s eyes widened. “I don't want to hurt her. What if my hands are too rough? What if—”

"Mal. Stop.”

Danny pursed his lips. “She’ll be fine.”

He gave Malachi a tired smile. “You’ve always been gentle with me when that was what I needed from you.”

Tears burned in Malachi’s eyes. “Okay. I’ll be careful.”

“And anyway…”

Danny fell against the pillows, his eyes hooded. “I’ll be needing a break now and then.”

“Of course, sweetheart.”

Malachi gingerly took his daughter from Danny’s arms.

The moment she settled against his chest, something shifted in Malachi's universe. She weighed almost nothing, yet she anchored him to this moment more firmly than any battle ever had. She smelled of something indescribable, like sunshine and divinity mixed with Danny’s sweet scent. He traced a finger over her impossibly soft cheek, marveling at the perfection of her features.

“She has your nose,”

he murmured, unable to tear his gaze away from her plump, rosy face. When she yawned, her mouth forming a perfect ‘o’, Malachi’s heart nearly burst.

Danny reached out, squeezing Malachi’s forearm. “I’m sorry I kicked you out. I was being stupid.”

“No, you weren’t.”

Malachi smiled. “You were in pain, and I would’ve moved heaven and earth to take that from you if I could.”

“I wasn't exactly at my most charming. I'm fairly certain I called Zeke some names that would make Lucifer blush.”

Danny's tired smile turned sheepish. “And I may have threatened to strangle you with your tail.”

Malachi chuckled softly, mindful not to disturb the bundle in his arms. “I would have let you.”

Their daughter made a tiny snuffling sound, her eyelids fluttering open to reveal those brilliant blue eyes. Malachi’s breath caught as she seemed to focus on him, her gaze somehow ancient and brand new all at once.

“Have you thought about what we should call her?”

Danny yawned. “All those names we picked.”

He wrinkled his nose. “Now that I see her, none of them feel right.”

Malachi studied her delicate features, the way her little fist had escaped the blanket and was curled near her chin. “She looks like...”

He paused, the name coming to him as if by heavenly inspiration. “Seraphina. Like the seraphim, the highest order of angels.”

Danny’s eyes lit up despite his exhaustion. “Seraphina.”

He seemed to be testing the name in his mind, like he was rolling it around on his tongue. “You know what? It’s perfect. Our little Sera.”

As if responding to her new name, Seraphina cooed, the sound filling Malachi with a peace he never thought he would have.

He’d faced countless demons, battled shadows that would terrify mortals, but nothing had prepared him for the overwhelming protectiveness he felt for this tiny being.

“She’s going to be so spoiled.”

Danny let out a soft chuckle, his eyelids drooping.

Malachi gazed down at the most perfect baby there ever was. “She deserves nothing less.”

Malachi noted how Danny’s eyes kept drifting shut. “You should get some rest, sweetheart. I’ll watch her.”

“Are you sure?”

Danny’s voice was barely above a whisper. “I should probably try to feed her.”

“When she's hungry, I'll wake you.”

Malachi cradled Seraphina against his chest, leaning over to press a kiss to his exhausted mate’s forehead. “Sleep, my love. You’ve done the hardest part.”

“‘Kay. Love you, you big, beautiful brute.”

Malachi held in a laugh so he wouldn’t wake their daughter. “I love you, too, my sweet baby.”

Danny managed a drowsy smile before his breathing evened out, exhaustion finally claiming him.

Malachi watched the gentle rise and fall of his mate’s chest, marveling at the strength Danny had shown.

He might not know what the future held for them as a family, but there was one thing he was certain of.

He would sacrifice his life to protect Danny and Sera. As far as he was concerned, they were the most precious gifts the world had known. Malachi grinned.

And they’re all mine.

* * * *

Thank you for reading Danny and Malachi’s sweet and spicy romance. Are you ready for more in the Shadow Slayer world?