Page 68 of Nightmare For Hire
Cyrus—Three Years Later
“Ox!!!!” Leia’s tiny hand barely makes any noise when she bangs on our door. “Ox! Ox! Ox!”
Nox sweeps in behind me, wearing his favorite princess dress and silver tiara. The dress is a pretty violet because Leia said she wanted pink and that they couldnotmatch.
I’m dressed as a prince in tight pants and a nice, flowy shirt. Nox ordered the outfit years ago and added a corset, saying it makes me look even more princely. I must admit, I’m digging the corset that matches his dress.
Every other Wednesday, Leia comes over to give Devon and Norris a day to themselves. On these days, we get dressed up and play royal tea party.
Nox smoothes his hands down the front of his dress and opens the door. Devon gives us a quick wave before turning to waddle away. Baby number two should be here in a few short weeks.
“Your Royal Highness Princess Leia, so good to see you. Welcome to Nightmaria.” Nox curtsies to Leia, and she follows suit. Her gold crown is nestled in a curly updo. Clip on costume earrings dangle from her ears. There’s a hint of red lipstick on her lips. A bunch of costume necklaces lace her throat, as faux diamond rings bedazzle her tiny fingers.
“Prince Nox.” Leia bobs her head and enters our apartment with her nose in the air. She nods at me. “Prince Cyrus.”
I bow and sweep my hand over to the toddler-sized table we set up in the living room. It’s surrounded by Nox’s unicorn stuffies. “We have refreshments for your long journey.”
“Where is the orc?” She demands.
“On his way, m’lady,” I say. “With apologies. Madds and Dani were… distracted.”
She nods again. “I’ll forgive them.” She holds up a finger. “Just this once.”
There’s another knock at the door. I crack a smile and leave Leia with Nox, who has already started chatting with her about her jewelry.
“Princess, please forgive us!” Dani overacts as he falls to his knees.
Maddox snorts beside him and hauls him back to his feet while Leia giggles. She tries to make a stern face, but fails.
“Dee! Maddy!” She squeals and runs to them. She plows into their legs to give them hugs, then drags them to the small table where she promptly climbs into Maddox’s lap.
Don’t get me started on how comical it is with us four adults—one of which is a big orc—sitting cross-legged at a kiddie table while Leia talks about negotiations with her stuffies about who gets to sleep on the bed and who has to sleep in the hanging net.
We let her babble on and sometimes ask questions. Despite how she acts with the crown upon her head, she’s the sweetest. I can’t wait to watch her grow into a fierce, independent woman.
“Thank you, Sir Dee. That is a very good point. Gee Gee the giraffe should be in bed because his neck takes up more room.”
“And there haven’t been any more teddy bear wars since the negotiations?” I ask.
“They seem to be playing nicely again.” Leia nods and takes a sip of juice in her plastic tea cup before nibbling on a carrot.
“M’lady,” Nox starts. “We have a gift to present to you from your mother the queen and your father the king.”
Leia sits up straighter. “A gift?”
“We’ve been given permission to give you chocolate.” Nox pulls a box of candy from under his dress. No doubt it’s going to be a melty mess now, but that’s part of the fun.
Leia squeals again. “Really?” She’s allowed candy at home, but until now, Devon has put her foot down about letting Nox feed Leia too much sugar.
Nox nods and rips the top off the box. There’s only five pieces of candy inside.
“Oh! There’s one for each of us,” Leia says. She looks around, then points to me. “Prince Cyrus. Please take first choice.”
“I’d be honored.” I pluck out a raspberry filled chocolate and place it on my plastic plate next to a stick of celery. “Thank you, m’lady.”
She goes around the room until there’s only one piece left. She digs the melty piece out and stuffs it in her mouth. I hold back a snort the best I can and grab a napkin to wipe her fingers clean before they can smear chocolate everywhere and stain her dress. The rest of us eat our candy while she goes back to chatting about stuffies and stickers and crayons.
My family. Leia representing Devon and Norris and herself. I don’t know where I’d be had I not moved to Rivenfield.
