Page 133 of Serpent & Saviors

His voice tightened, and I felt something in my chest ache. “She’s not and she won’t be ever again. Kinsley, and I certainly won’t allow it. But above that, she has you all.”

I reached over and squeezed his arm. He exhaled and nodded, his shoulders straightening. Then, with a deep breath, he clapped his hands together, the teasing spark creeping back into his eyes. “You ready to do this, buttercup?”

I laughed. “I am. Let’s go see what’s taking them so long.”

Two Weeks Later

The fire crackled softly, its golden glow flickering across the room. I stood near the hearth, one hand wrapped around a glass of brandy, and the other resting on the mantle. The scent of burning wood mixed with the faintest trace of her perfume.

It lingered everywhere now, and I loved picking up little hints of her throughout the house, but especially in our room. The house was quiet, wrapped in the kind of stillness that came from long days. Our son had been tucked in an hour ago.

I’d been the one with the privilege tonight of orchestrating it and then reading him a bedtime story. I’d stayed for a while, just watching him sleep, memorizing the peaceful rise and fall of his chest, the way his fingers rubbed the fur on his bear. Safe and sound.

My little family. The knowledge settled deep in my chest, filling every space that had once been hollow. I let out a slow breath and took a sip of my drink, the warmth spreading through me.

The fire crackled again, embers shifting, and I stared into the flames, content in a way I hadn’t ever experienced. All that existed was a steady certainty. I heard the soft creak of the door behind me. A small smile tugged at my lips before I even turned around.

She was home.

I didn’t turn right away, but my smile deepened. Swirling the brandy in my glass, I kept my gaze on the fire.

“Come here, please,” I commanded, my voice low and steady.

Without hesitation, the soft shuffle of her feet sounded against the rug. I instantly felt the familiar presence of her at my side, close enough that the heat from her body wrapped around me. I finally glanced up, taking in the way her hair was slightly tousled from the breeze outside, the faint flush on her cheeks.

“How’d it go?”

She tilted her head slightly, as if considering everything, and let out a loud exhale. I chuckled. “It was…good.”

I arched a brow. “Just good, huh?”

Her lips twitched, but she didn’t immediately answer. Instead, she reached for my glass, stealing it from my hand before taking a slow sip. She climbed onto my lap. No invitation needed. She was growing so much. Her eyes flickered up to mine as she swallowed, amusement dancing there.

“Alek was cute…”

“Cute?”

“Yeah, in a nervous way.”

I chuckled, shaking my head. “Of course he was.”

She handed the glass back, her fingers brushing against mine. “Kinsley impressed the hell out of me with her feigned shock and excitement. Like she hadn’t seen the place twice before we brought Isabella.”

“Ah, yes. And how did Isabella take it?”

She hesitated. My amusement faded just a little. My girl sighed, rubbing her fingers together like she was still holding onto something unsaid. “It may take some work on all our parts. She kept going on and on about how no one wants a tattoo from someone who doesn’t have any tattoos. I’m not sure how true that statement is but, yeah. She kept going back and forth with Alek about it.”

“I see, and what did Alek say?”

“He’d tattoo her—whatever the hell she wanted. Tonight, if need be. That or she could tell people she had one in a private area that was for her man’s eyes only.”

I laughed loudly, imagining that didn’t sit well.

“And yes, she got really loud at that point. But I think there is more to it. I left her in her studio. She mentioned something, and I don’t know if I started it or what.”

I grew serious. “Okay, like what.”

“Promise you won’t be angry with me.”