“Do you always return to the human world through that doorway?” I ask, half-amused, half-curious.
“Yes,” Nero replies, his voice calm and matter-of-fact as he steps onto the shore. “I like the water.”
The simplicity of his answer catches me off guard, and I burst out laughing, the sound bubbling up from deep within me. It’s such a typical Nero response—straightforward, unapologetic, and somehow so fitting for the enigmatic man before me.
I lean back into Kai’s embrace, still chuckling softly as the last remnants of tension drain away.
“Creatures approach,” one of the ancient voices whispers harshly.
I pull away from Kai and spin, my daggers gripped tightly as I scan our surroundings.
Nero places his hand on my shoulder. His fingers curl slightly, offering a gentle, reassuring squeeze.
“It’s okay, Ashwiyaa,” he says softly, his voice a soothing balm to my frayed nerves. “It’s the alpha, Lukas Black, and his luna. We’re on their pack lands.”
As if on cue, voices whisper in the recesses of my mind, barely more than a murmur, but distinct enough to send a shiver down my spine.
“The luna is strong,” says one voice, a note of reverence woven into its tone.
“Her magic is so bright and warm,” another adds, awe dripping from every word.
“That’s because she is the Daughter of Light,” I huff in response, annoyed by the incessant commentary from the spirits within me.
My attention shifts as two figures crest the hill before us, their silhouettes framed against the fading light of the evening sky. As they approach, their features come into focus. Nesrin, the luna, wears a massive grin that stretches across her face, her amber eyes sparkling with a warmth that seems to radiate from her very soul.
Beside her, Lukas Black cuts a striking figure, his expression intense, almost broody. His sharp green eyes take in everything with a calculating gaze, and there’s a weight to his presence that demands respect. He exudes the kind of quiet authority that makes it clear he’s not someone to be trifled with. I can’t help but draw a mental comparison to Logan—the brooding demeanor, the underlying strength, the way they both carry the weight of their responsibilities with fierce determination.
“Nero,” Nesrin says warmly. “You brought them back. We were so worried about you two.” Her amber eyes move from me to Kai.
“I had no doubts Kai would find her,” Nero replies.
Nero walks past us and scoops Nesrin up in a hug. Lukas’s low growl rumbles through the air. Nero chuckles and steps back, and that’s when I notice Nesrin’s stomach.
“Oh, shit. You’re pregnant,” I blurt, and emotions I’m not used to feeling overcome me as I stare at her. My body fades and in seconds I’m in front of Nesrin, my hands lifting, but I pause, looking up at her. “May I?”
Nesrin smiles softly. “Sure.”
My hands tremble slightly as I tentatively make contact, feeling the roundness of her stomach beneath my touch. My heart races as I sense two little heartbeats echoing alongside hers.
“You’re having twins,” I whisper softly.
Lukas freezes for a second before taking a step forward, his eyes flickering with the telltale specks of yellow that appear when his emotions are heightened. “Twins?” His voice is rough, almost disbelieving, as if the words don’t quite make sense.
I blink, suddenly realizing my slip. “Oh.” I drop my hands and instinctively take a step back. “I didn’t realize you didn’t know.”
Nesrin lets out a soft chuckle, a grin of mischief spreading across her face. She reaches up and gives Lukas a playful slap on the shoulder. “We haven’t exactly been to see a human doctor yet, so it’s all been guessing and intuition,” she teases lightly, her tone filled with affection.
“Twins?” Lukas repeats, still looking as though he’s trying to wrap his mind around the news.
“Yes,” I say, offering a reassuring smile. “Both are healthy and very active.”
Lukas turns to Nesrin, and in that moment, they share a look so full of love and unspoken connection that it takes my breath away. The depth of their bond is palpable, radiating from them in waves. You can tell how deeply in love they are, how the news only seems to strengthen the unbreakable tie between them.
“On that note, I’m heading back to Faerie!” Nero declares with a wink. His gaze shifts to Kai. “Take care of her.” The words carry more weight than the simple request they seem to be.
“Always,” Kai responds without hesitation, his voice steady and full of conviction. The way he says it leaves no room for doubt—he would protect me with every fiber of his being.
Nero’s attention then turns to Seraphina, who stands a little apart from the rest of us, her expression calm but guarded. “And you, enjoy this new life,” he tells her, his tone gentler now, as if recognizing the significance of the path she’s chosen.
