“We’ve faced Idols, princes, deadly queens, ice giants, and death,” I point out. “This is child’s play. What can’t we face if we are together?”
The darkness inches toward me, and a hand congeals out of the shadows, wrapping around mine. I tug, bringing him closer until his face, terrifying for many folks I’m sure, but stunning to me, is at eye level. It’s still Nash, but his cheekbones are sharper, his fangs more pronounced, and those eyes, unique and stunning, draw me in as much as the green ones that first stole my heart.
I hold them as I lift onto my tiptoes and press my mouth to his, pouring everything into the kiss. The joy of finding him and his brothers. The way they consume me and build me up at the same time. Their acceptance of everything I am and all that I bring to their lives. The pain of loss, the agony of the reality that I might not find my way back to them. And finally, the hope for a new world that they are going to help me build.
Cool hands curl around my neck, and then they become warmer as a body presses against my own. It’s a claiming kiss, not one leading to naked shenanigans in front of the fire, butrather a promise of many more nights to come to get lost in their arms.
He pulls away, and my eyes flutter open to find him in his familiar form once more. “You’re remarkable, Daphne Stone,” he whispers.
I grin. “You’re not so bad yourself, Shadow Daddy.”
He jerks back as if I’ve slapped him. “Nope.”
“Daddy Darkness?”
He groans as the twins chuckle. “Absolutely not.”
“I’ll think of something we can agree on.” I release an enormous yawn, which makes him smile.
He scoops my half-naked body up in his arms and carries me to the pile of furs before settling me among them. I stretch out and raise my hands, welcoming the twins, who join us.
“I’ll just have a nap,” I mutter, my breathing becoming heavy.
“Sleep, Daphne,” Nash says. “Tomorrow, we ride at dawn to find your dragon.”
“It’s time for the damsel to save the beast,” I agree.
Fingers skim across my cheek in a caress. “You already have.”
Chapter Nine
Daphne
“Tell me again why we are splitting up the sunrise after I get you back?” Gwyneth utters in my ear.
She has never been a hugger, but my death changed her.
“Now that our dynamic duo is back, you need to return to the All Knowing and work on rewriting our future.”
“I hate it when you make sense.”
“Me too. Let’s not make a habit of it.”
She steps away and glances at the trio of knights loading the horses with supplies. “You will not leave her unattended,” she repeats for the fourth time this turn. “You will sleep, eat,and breathe with her, and if something terrible happens, I am holding each of you responsible.”
Malachi places a hand over his chest and bends a knee in front of us. There are fun reasons to be on your knees, but none of them involve your sister.
“Get up,” I hiss. “Not here.”
Malachi winks, Nash snorts, and Hart groans.
“Lady Gwyneth, I promise to keep Daphne safe from all others and from herself.”
Oh, it’s a declaration of protection, not a floof worship. Pity.
“And I shall keep you safe,” Charming says, who, not to be outdone by Malachi, also drops to his knee.
It’s far less impressive and a little desperate, which is on point for Prince Poopfloof.
