Page 45 of Demon Daddy's Nanny

"Back away." Ice drips from each syllable.

The lesser xaphan's wings - dull gray and unremarkable - twitch as he stumbles backward. His face drains of color when he recognizes me. Good. Fear will make this lesson stick.

"My lord, I-I didn't?—"

"She is mine." The words tear from my throat, primal and possessive. My scar burns as I clench my jaw, fighting tomaintain control of the rage coursing through my veins. The urge to wrap my hands around his throat pulses with each heartbeat.

Eva presses herself against the wall, her breath coming in short gasps. The sight of her fear feeds the darkness churning inside me. I step closer to the other xaphan, using every inch of my height to tower over him. Power crackles in the air between us - raw energy that makes the beneath our feet vibrate.

"If you ever raise a hand to her again—" Lightning dances along my fingertips, golden sparks that mirror the fury in my eyes. "They won't find enough pieces to identify your corpse."

The xaphan's wings collapse against his back as he drops into a deep bow. "Forgive me, Lord Ridwan. I didn't know she was under your protection."

The lesser xaphan scurries backward, but I'm not finished. My wings snap out, blocking his escape. The gathered crowd in the hall parts, pressing themselves against gilded walls.

"No." Power floods my voice, making the crystals in the chandeliers above tremble. "You don't get to slink away. Everyone here needs to understand exactly what happens when they threaten what's mine."

Wind whips through the hall, my magic responding to the possessive fury burning through my veins. The xaphan's feet leave the ground as I lift him with a thought. His wings flap uselessly against the invisible grip around his throat.

"Lord Ridwan—" He chokes on the words.

"Eva is under my protection." My gaze sweeps the crowd, meeting each pair of eyes. Lesser xaphan, servants, nobles - they all need to witness this. "She is not to be touched. Not to be threatened. Not even to be looked at wrong."

Lightning arcs between my spread fingers, golden threads of power that illuminate the terror on the xaphan's face. His wings droop as the pressure increases.

"If anyone dares to harm her—" The scar on my cheek burns as I bare my teeth. "This will seem merciful in comparison."

With a flick of my wrist, I slam him into the floor. The crack of bone echoes through the silent hall. He curls into himself, cradling his broken wing.

"Get him out of my sight." Two guards rush forward to drag him away. "And make it known that no one touchesher."

The possessiveness in my chest coils tighter at the declaration. This fierce need to protect her, to claim her, burns hotter than any battle rage I've ever known. My wings sweep back as I turn to Eva, still pressed against the wall. The crowd disperses, whispering among themselves, but I barely notice them.

All I see is her.

Eva trembles against the wall, her pulse visible in the delicate curve of her throat. The sight of her fear claws at my chest. But beneath that fear, I sense something else. Wonder. Confusion. The emotions flicker across her face like candlelight.

My wings fold back, trying to appear less threatening as I close the distance between us. "Are you hurt?"

She shakes her head, those striking eyes fixed on my face. "You came for me."

The words hit like a physical blow. Did she think I wouldn't? The thought tears at something deep inside me, makes the possessive fury rise again.

"Of course I came for you." My voice drops low, rough with emotion I can't contain. "I couldn’t just let you go.”

Eva pushes away from the wall, but her legs buckle. I catch her before she falls, pulling her against my chest. The contact sends a thrill through my veins - different from my magic, but just as powerful.

"I thought—" She swallows hard. "I didn't think you would..."

"I was wrong." The admission scrapes my throat raw. "I kept my distance, tried to pretend this connection between us didn't exist. But seeing you leave and not knowing if you were coming back—" My wings curl forward, creating a golden cocoon around us. "I’ve been so wrong."

She tries to step back, but my arms tighten. "Ridwan?—"

"No." Power rumbles beneath the word. "You don't walk away. Not now. You wanted me to make a choice, soI am. I’m choosing you, Eva.”

Her breath catches as I brush my thumb across her cheek, wiping away tears I hadn't noticed before. The touch burns, makes my magic surge beneath my skin in response.

"Come home with me." The words come out rougher than intended, more command than request. I force myself to soften my tone. "Please."

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