Page 26 of The Mating Claim
Castle Baldwin was larger than they needed right now, but Niki had made it homey. It had many rooms, then again, he and Niki planned to have many morechildren.
As pleasurable as it was making those babies with her, it was worrisome being a dad, especially considering his enemies on earth. Today he’d made another, a grizzly shifter whom he’d turned into a fish as punishment for stirring up trouble. The shifter had reverted to his normal form after frantically trying to escape the real grizzlies trying to snatch up him as a nicesnack.
Judging from the sullen look the shifter had given him, he would love a chance to get back atTristan.
Niki and the twins were his greatest loves…and his greatestweaknesses.
As an ancient immortal, he had no need of food, but suddenly he clamored for a tall, ice cold glass of ale. One appeared in his hands instantly. He took an appreciativesip.
“Rough day with the shifters?” Niki dropped a kiss on his cheek and then sat at the table next tohim.
“The usual. Where are the twins?” Anxiety stabbed him. Though they were safe here at all times, he stillworried.
Fatherhood, hesupposed.
“Napping. They had a lovely day, visiting Xavier and Ciara. Sonia needsplaymates.”
And Danu only knew what that child taught his children. Too smart for her own good. Probably Keegan and Kara would return babbling how much they adored dragons and wanted to ride atop of Drust as heflew.
Whereas the only one he wanted riding atop the dragon was a certain brunette shifter who happened to possess the Book ofShadows.
Tristan set down his ale and reached for Niki’s hand. “My love, must you visit the ranch at this time? It’s still cold inMontana.”
Niki’s blue gaze narrowed. “It’s usually cold in Montana. I haven’t seen Nia for weeks. Besides, she wants to celebrate the twins’ birthdays, and hers and mine at the barbecue. You know she can’t visit us here. What gives,Tristan?”
“I don’t want you to go.” There, he’d stated it. Man of the house, or wizard of his castle, so tospeak.
Right.
“And I say we need to go. The twins have family in Montana they need to get toknow.”
“At the age of 15 months?” He scowled. “They’re not even truly talking,Niki.”
The fact that his beloved children were not verbal at 15 months as Sonia was at 12 months bothered him, yet he suspected there was a reason behind it. They were offspring of two powerfulimmortals.
“Can’t you just Skype with yoursister?”
“I miss her,” she blurted out. “I love you and our life here, but I told you, Tristan, Nia and I share a specialconnection.”
Oh boy. He was in for it now, because arguing with her was not what he’dintended.
Instead, he tried logic. “Niki, the Book of Shadows is in the hands of a mortal and it’s dangerous. I don’t want you going toMontana.”
“Is Lacey in Montana with thebook?”
“No,” he admitted. “But… I’d feel better if you stayed home. They’re just …babies.”
“Why? Because you’ll worry too much?” Niki’s expression softened. “Tristan, they are babies, but sooner or later, you have to realize they’ll have their own lives, and make their own mistakes and have to make their way in the world. You can’t protect themforever.”
And that was his greatest worry. Because for a mortal father, the world presented enough threats for children. But for an immortal wizard who made enemies after delivering justice to wayward shifters, the world was downright dangerous. An angry bear shifter could find Keegan and Kara and harm them. A resentful Lupine had fangs that bit and claws thathurt.
“It’s not safe in Montana at Aiden’s ranch,” he countered. “Aiden can’t protect themenough.”
Now Niki rolled her eyes. “Tristan, Aiden has a pack of male Lupines who constantly guard his daughter to protect her. What makes you think he wouldn’t set the same standards for watching over our twins? Even more so, because he knows their vulnerability at hisranch?”
And you think I can’t protect our babes withmypowers?”
She flicked a hand and the glass of ale sailed from the table to the counter, and turned into red liquid. Then it returned to hishand.
