We start with stories from his training days. Khatri laughs at how it took himmonthsto believe that Papa had chosen him as his second in command over the demon with a bloodright to the position.
Coming from a long line of dungeon guards, Khatri’s promotion to Warriorhead purely because of his exceptional skills was a proud moment for his whole family.
Angel and I exchange knowing looks when I ask about his mate, and Khatri turns into a heart-eyed puppy. He gushes about his mate for fifteen minutes straight. She’s a werewolf, prefers sweet over spicy, tomato over veggie soup, before realizing he might’ve gone a little overboard.
Not that I stopped him. Seeing a man so dedicated to his mate and family was awfully endearing.
“Do you have any kids?”
“Lucifer blessed me with two amazing daughters,” he says proudly. “They have their mother’s beauty and my sparring skills.”
I laugh. “They sound lovely. Have I met them before?”
“I’m not sure Pri—Nevaeh,” he catches himself again. “My older one is fifteen, but she does warrior training on the weekends, so it’s possible.”
South Asian demon girl with badass combat skills? Who hasn’t heard of her?
“Let me guess, she has blue hair and treats her insanely cool sword like it’s an extension of her?”
“That’s the one. That’s my Skye.”
“No way, Iloveher! You won’t believe what happened the first time we met. She didn’t recognize me, so when I asked for a sparring partner, none of the seasoned warriors stepped up. They were all scared. But Skye? She didn’t just step up; she made me work for that win.”
I can’t believe I didn’t guess she was Khatri’s daughter. Of course, that level of competence comes from a warrior like him. Skye is hands down my favorite teen in the realm. I’d kill for that sassy young lady.
“Her fire is what I most love and fear about her,” Khatri says, his tone softening before drifting into thought.
He turns to me, thoughtful, like he’s working through a puzzle. After a short pause and decisive nod, he says, “She needs a trainer. Someone who won’t be easily offended by her quips and remarks. I could ask someone else, but—”
“I’ll do it!” Hazel beats me to it, cutting in before I can even open my mouth.
What a warrior-stealing bitch!
“Sit your finned ass down before I drown you in the same ocean you crawled out of.”
Hazel slowly backs off with her hands raised, that devilish smirk still in place. “Lucifer, you’re feisty. Fine, you can have her. But Khatri? Just remember, I’ll be happy to step in and beSkye’s mentor if Miss Golden Reaper here can’t handle her.”
One of these days, I’m going to strangle her.
Khatri chuckles at our bickering over who gets dibs on his super-skilled kid. No way I’m letting Conquer poach my future Warriorhead.
I fold my arms and sit back, trying to act calm. “Sorry you had to see that. The siren is out of control on her best days and a little manic on her worst. Ignore her. Tell me about your other daughter. How old is she?”
Khatri’s smile softens at the mention of his little girl. “Well, my Aurora is six, but she has the soul of a wise old woman. She’s already reading books on supernatural history instead of doing whatever it is six-year-olds usually do.”
He rubs the back of his neck, concern flickering across his face. “I can’t really blame her for being a little withdrawn. She’s a werewolf like my mate. Since there aren’t many werewolves in the kingdom, Aurora doesn’t have many kids like her to bond with.”
Interesting.
Even adult werewolves struggle without a pack. Having her mate and family probably helps Khatri’s wife, but it won’t do much for Aurora. Being a rogue this young isn’t good for her fragile mind or her heart.
“Maybe she could use a friend. Someone like August, who can teach her the wonders of eating cake with his hands while watching a mouse make a cat’s life hell on TV.”
Khatri blinks, surprised at my suggestion, but agrees quickly.
Not only will a playdate be good for both kids to come out of their shells, but August’s alpha blood means that even without his wolf yet, he could help Aurora feel a little less alone.
I think August will like her. Hyper kids his age make him skittish, but a quiet little girl with a reading addiction might complement his subpar social skills. The kid needs friends who aren’t twenty years older than him.
