Page 66 of Love & Monsters
“Your sons are leaving toads in the kitchens as we speak, brother.” Ilya blinked at Vadric, silently daring him to challenge her.
“And I’m sure Minak is with them.” The corner of his mouth curled up triumphantly when Ilya’s smile fell.
“Yes, well, Knox is rounding them up now. Everyone is going wild knowing the Lord and Lady are welcoming another child today. Made it all too easy for the little terrors to sneak pocketsful of toads into the manse,” she said with an exasperated breath.
Ilya kept her daughter, Delora, on her hip as she approached the bed. I lifted my hand, smiling weakly when her fingers curled around it. No matter how tired, I couldn’t stop smiling at my family.
“How are you feeling, Mina?” she asked. “Pushing out my brother’s big-headed children always takes it out of you. Do you need anything?”
“Aside from a few days’ rest, I imagine I’ll be fine.” I glanced over to Lilliwen’s head cradled in Vadric’s arms. “After the twins, pushing this one out was quite easy. She’s so little.”
“That she is. Beautiful little girl, though.” Ilya squeezed my hand before letting go. She turned away from the bed to face her brother again. “What’s the name of this one, then?”
“Lilliwen,” I answered without a second beat.
Ilya froze when she heard the name. I heard her shuddered breath, followed by the soft clack of her foot on the stone as she took another step closer.
“After—” she started.
“—our mother,” Vadric finished. “Yes.”
Ilya set Delora on her feet. The tired toddler plopped onto the fur rug in front of the fire, curling up like a cat after a stretch and a yawn. Meanwhile, Ilya hovered over Vadric and Lilliwen, her eyes glistening as she admired the newborn Nefellim. Without exchanging words, Vadric handed his new daughter to his sister, rising from the chair to allow her to sit.
Ilya gracefully relaxed into the rocking chair, stroking her fingers carefully over Lilliwen’s soft cheeks. My daughter was frighteningly small compared to the grown Nefellim, but I knew without a doubt they would always be careful.
Vadric watched his sister over his shoulder while making his way to the bed. After peeling his eyes away, he sat on the edge of the bed at my side. He pulled my hand up to his lips, pressing a tender kiss to the back of my knuckles.
The adoration sparkling in his eyes stole my breath away. Every time he looked at me, I couldn’t question how this monstrous Lord felt for me. His love was the fundamental constant in my life, even as our family and the world changed around us. Always changing for the better.
“Would you like some water, little one? Or perhaps some more blankets?” His free hand brushed random bits of disorderly blonde hair away from my forehead. I closed my eyes, enjoying the feeling of his warm touch on my clammy face.
“No, my love. I’m alright.” Grabbing his wrist, I held his hand in place against my cheek, savoring his warmth.
Vadric exhaled slowly. I could feel his gaze on me, like a heated weight pressing against my senses. He hummed silently, caressing his thumb over my cheek.
“I am so proud of you, Mina. You did such a marvelous job. Our daughter is healthy and strong despite being early. She’s the most beautiful gift, and I thank you.” Leaning forward, Vadric pressed his forehead to mine. “All of our children are precious gifts. Thank you, a thousand times, for them.”
“Vadric, you know it takes two to make them, right?” I laughed, inhaling his scent as his presence comforted me.
“Yes, love,” he chortled. “Though you’ve done all the hard work, and I must show my appreciation to you. A powerful human woman, and the amazing Lady of Nadirn.”
“Alright, I’ll take the appreciation.” With one hand I skimmed my fingers over his face and the dangerous split in his cheek that our children didn’t inherit. “I’d rather take kisses, though. Lots of them.”
“Oh, you know how I feel about kissing.” Vadric’s growling purr made me peek an eye open at him.
“If you don’t cut that out, we’ll have another baby by the next spring.” I quietly hissed my warning with Ilya in the corner of the room.
“Hm, is that a promise?” Vadric rubbed his nose against mine. The gentle show of affection could still make me blush after all these years. Though his scandalous words made the heat in my face worse.
“You know I can hear you, right?” Ilya tossed out as a joke before going back to cooing and purring at the baby. Vadric and I both broke into soft laughter at the break in tension.
There was nothing else Vadric could do in that moment but press a kiss to my lips. It became one of his favorite things to do the day I taught him what a kiss was. After years of lessons, he became one of the best kissers in the world. It made my heart flip every time I felt his lips on mine, or his mouth on my skin.
Without warning, the bedroom door flung open. The wood banged against the wall as Veera stormed into the room. Her brows pinched together as she scanned every inch of her surroundings.
Vadric and I pulled apart, smiling while watching two more of our children stumble over each other into the room. Minak followed Veles and Zelos, with his father holding the tip of his elongated ears. Knox found his mate with my new baby within seconds of crossing the doorway.
“I’ve brought the troublemakers to meet the newest member of their gang. If any more toads end up in the kitchen, Veera states she’s sending the boys to the scavengers.” Knox waggled his brows, bottom lip trembling to hide a smirk.
