Page 41 of Demon Daddy's Baby Girl

For the first time since fleeing Kaelith, I feel whole. Not broken or used or scarred beyond repair, but wanted. Cherished. In Rolfo's arms, I am not a possession but a person deserving of tenderness.

I close my eyes, my body heavy with contentment. Not because I'm hiding from the world or from myself, but because for the first time in years, I feel safe enough to truly rest.

18

AURELIE

Iwake before the dawn, my body programmed by years of servitude to rise with the first hint of light. But today, there's no fear propelling me from sleep—just the pleasant weight of Rolfo's arm draped across my waist, his breath warm against my neck.

For several heartbeats, I allow myself to simply exist in this cocoon of warmth. His hand splays protectively over my abdomen, large enough to span from hip to rib. I trace the scars on his forearm with feather-light touches, memorizing each ridge and valley.

He stirs behind me, pulling me closer until my back presses fully against his chest. "Morning," he murmurs, voice rough with sleep.

"Good morning," I whisper, surprised by how natural this feels—waking in his arms, sharing the first moments of day.

From the nursery, Sephy's soft cooing reaches us. Not crying yet, just announcing her presence to the world. Rolfo presses a kiss to my shoulder before pulling away.

"I'll get her," he offers.

I roll over, catching his wrist before he can leave. "Thank you." The words feel inadequate for everything I want to express—not just for retrieving my daughter, but for all he's given us. Safety. Home. A chance at something I never thought possible.

His silver eyes soften as he leans down, pressing his lips to mine in a tender kiss that makes my toes curl beneath the blankets.

"For what?" he asks against my mouth.

"Everything."

Later, with morning chores complete and Sephy fed, Rolfo suggests a walk to a nearby glade. "The wildflowers are in bloom," he explains while securing a soft sling across his broad chest. "She should see them while they last."

I watch him carefully tuck Sephy into the sling, her tiny form nestled against his massive frame. Those hands that can crush bone and wield weapons with deadly precision adjust the fabric with such tenderness it makes my heart swell. She looks up at him with complete trust, her violet eyes blinking slowly.

"There we go, little one," he murmurs to her. "All set for an adventure."

The domesticity of it strikes me with unexpected force. This warrior demon, cooing softly to my infant daughter, preparing her for a morning walk as naturally as if he'd been doing it his entire life.

"What?" Rolfo catches me staring.

"Nothing," I say, shaking my head. "Just... you're good with her."

He shrugs, but I catch the pleased glint in his eyes. "She makes it easy."

The path to the glade meanders through a sparse copse of trees behind Rolfo's home. The morning air carries a sweet fragrance—blooming flowers mixed with the earthy scent of soil warmed by sunlight. I slip off my sandals halfway there, wanting to feel the soft grass beneath my feet.

"You'll hurt yourself," Rolfo cautions, eyeing a patch of rocks ahead.

I wiggle my toes in the dewy grass. "My feet are tougher than they look."

"Like the rest of you," he replies with a smile that transforms his entire face, softening the hard angles and battle-honed vigilance.

The hollow we reach opens before us like a secret—a natural depression in the land filled with wildflowers of every shade. Waves of color ripple in the gentle breeze—purples, yellows, whites, and blues. My breath catches at the unexpected beauty.

"It's protected on all sides," Rolfo explains, his free hand resting protectively on Sephy's back. "Safe. The flowers only last a few weeks each season."

I walk ahead, trailing my fingers through tall stems, feeling the different textures against my palm. Soft petals, sturdy stalks, feathery wisps—all dancing in the morning light. The freedom of it—of simply walking without fear, of exploring something beautiful—fills me with quiet joy.

A small stream cuts through one corner of the glade, water bubbling over smooth stones. I kneel beside it, cupping the cool water in my hands. The simple pleasure of it makes me smile.

"What are you thinking?" Rolfo calls from where he stands, giving me space while keeping watch.

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