Page 132 of A Thieving Curse

“Really?” Alex sounded genuinely surprised. “I much prefer seeking.” The footsteps stopped right in front of Raelyn. “Do you know why? Because when I find your mother, I get to tickle her.” The tapestry lifted from the wall and Alexander said, “Like this.”

She screeched as he grabbed her waist and dragged her out from behind the tapestry, releasing the boy’s hand. Alex tickled her sides until she gasped between laughter. “Stop!” She twisted around in Alex’s arms. Her lips found his, and he stopped tickling her to kiss her. They parted, and he rested his forehead against hers with a low hum of contentment.

The twins laughed. Alex pulled back to frown at them. “What’s so funny?”

“He does,” one of the boys said.

Raelyn turned toward them. Alex wrapped his arms over her stomach and swayed gently behind her. “Does what?” she asked.

The boys looked at each other and giggled again. They leaned close together conspiratorially, their black and brown curls mingling. “We heard Mommy and Aunty Mer talking,” the black-haired boy said, “about how Daddy purrs when he’s happy.”

Raelyn’s eyes widened. “Lucas!”

Alex groaned. “Rae…”

“I didn’t say that!” She looked up at Alex. “I didn’t!”In front of them…that I remember…

“Yes, you did!” the other twin insisted. “We were hiding.”

“Gareth!” She gave him a stern look. “We talked about eavesdropping.”

“I believe they learned that from you, beautiful.” Alex kissed her cheek. “All right, boys. Your mother and I have…things to do.”

She raised a brow, pretty sure he wasn’t talking about royal duties. “Yes, we need to check that everything is prepared for Gareth’s arrival tomorrow—”

“Uncle Gareth!” Lucas clapped his hands, his green eyes wide with joy.

“Uncle Gareth is heretomorrow?” Gareth’s mouth fell open. “Afteronebedtime?”

“Yes.” Raelyn wasn’t certain who was more excited for Gareth’s three-week-long visit—herself or the boys. Gareth had visited every summer since the twins were born. While it made her nervous every time Gareth and his wife braved the pass, she spent all year looking forward to seeing him again.

“Exactly, Gareth arrives tomorrow,” Alex said. “And you’ll be busy.” He kissed the side of her neck. “Jasper can wait a little while.”

“You’re incorrigible.” But she couldn’t help smiling.

“No, he’s Daddy,” Lucas said with confusion.

“Or Your Ex-ell-en-sea.” Gareth’s face pinched with concentration as he stumbled over the long word.

Lucas tilted his head. “Mommy calls him Alex.”

“Because that’s my name, Lucas.” Alex knelt and tousled the boys’ hair. “All right. Time to return to your nurse.”

The twins groaned. Alex looked up at Raelyn with exasperation. “I blame you and Gareth for this.”

“I want to play with you more!” Lucas stomped his foot.

Raelyn snorted. “Thatis one hundred percent you.”

Alex rolled his eyes and turned back to the boys. “Promise to be good for your nurse and I’ll give you a back ride.”

“I promise!” the boys chorused, bouncing on their toes.

Alex turned around, and the boys climbed onto him, Lucas first with his short arms around Alex’s neck, and then Gareth clinging to Lucas. Alex tucked his arms behind his back to support them and groaned dramatically as he stood. Raelyn smiled, warmth rising in her chest.

Alex looked at her and winked. “Come on, lovely.”

They dropped the boys off with their nurse. The moment the door to the boy’s room closed, Alex swept her off her feet. She gasped, then laughed as she put her arms around his neck. “What are you doing?”

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