27. Epilogue Aurum

Twenty-Seven

"Didour brothers ever tell us which one of us saved the other?" Saffron asked.

We sat on the floor of the living room. Mylo, Saffron and I made a wide circle with our outstretched legs with the twins and their toys in the middle. The girls spent most of their time sleeping and growing, but during their waking hours, my daughters were weaselly little monsters that loved to play, bite, and romp.

Since Kiara and Desiree were born, Saffron had been eager to get involved. He was always first in line when we needed a babysitter or an extra hand, much to Viol's dismay.

Mylo brightened at the mention of our hatching story. "Oh, yes! I want to know, too."

I cocked my head. "No, they never mentioned who was who. Honestly? I don't think they could tell us apart." I grinned at my mate. "Too bad you weren't there that day, Mylo."

He chuckled. "I was an infant myself, so I wouldn't have been very helpful."

"Bet you could still do it," I insisted.

Mylo lit up with pride, then was distracted as Kiara yelped with boredom. He handed her a soft plastic teething ring, and our daughter nibbled on it. Her teeth were tiny, but sharp. I watched as she used them skillfully. It was those same fangs that had broken the shell and released her sister from their shared egg.

I glanced over at Saffron. After watching my twins hatch, old buried images and feelings stirred within me. The memory of our hatching should've been too early for me to recall, but I felt like I did remember it. If I closed my eyes and thought about it, I'd sense the humid air, the cold rain, the warmth and safety of the eggshell—but also the fact that it was a deathtrap for my twin.

"I think... I saved you," I murmured to Saffron.

He faced me with a thoughtful expression. I wondered if he experienced the same flashes of memory that I did.

"I think so, too," he replied after a moment. He stared at the rug as he spoke, lost in the images. "It was dark and stifling. I couldn't breathe. I remember being scared... And then there was a bright ray of light, and everything was okay after that."

So he did remember. That made me feel better.

"But it was raining that day," I pointed out.

"True." Saffron smiled. "Then, I guess the ray of light was you."

Taken aback, I blinked in surprise. Did that mean the first thing Saffron ever saw in this world was my golden scales?

I was pulled out of my thoughts as Desiree clambered on top of my leg. Grinning, I picked up my long furry tube of a daughter. She chirped and flailed her short legs.

Like me and Saffron, she was identical to Kiara, right down to the dark markings on her face and body. But the three of us had no trouble telling them apart. That was something I'd never take for granted about Mylo. He wasn't a twin, but he was part of our secret world.

Before I met my mate, I never imagined anyone could be as close to me as Saffron. Then Mylo—and fate—rocked my entire world. He became my world.

He, my twin, and my twin daughters were my inner circle. I loved the rest of my family, obviously, but there was a special quality about our little unit.

"Ow!" I yelped.

Kiara had mistaken my sock-covered toe for a teething toy. Her adorable masked face was angelic as she sank her fangs into my poor, sensitive foot.

"Sorry!" Mylo said, reaching over to gently pry her off. "I was busy watching Desiree. She was being so cute with her Uncle Saffron."

"Yeah, look at us," Saffron urged with a goofy grin. Desiree was perched on his shoulder while Saffron held her for support. The pair looked like the dictionary definition of mischief.

"Beautiful," I mumbled as pain coursed through my abused toe.

Mylo leaned down and pressed a kiss to the tip of my sock. "There. I kissed it better."

The pain melted away, replaced by a wave of adoration. My mate was so unbelievably sweet.

"Thanks," I said, leaning over to kiss his cheek.

Mylo's face warmed and turned pink the way it always did at the slightest display of affection. It was one of my favorite things about him, and I hoped he never stopped doing it.

Crimson poked his head into the living room. "Hey, hooligans. Jade's making lunch, so if you want bespoke peanut butter sandwiches, now's your chance."

I snorted. Under my breath, I said, "Bespoke peanut butter sandwiches? And Crimson gets on my case for only being able to cook pancakes..."

Saffron and Mylo chuckled quietly.

Crimson narrowed his eyes. "What are you three giggling about over there? It better not be at my expense."

"Never," I promised.

The invitation to lunch was perfectly timed. Desiree and Kiara—apparently sharing one brain cell—both started squeaking with hungry demands. Mylo scooped up Desiree while Kiara hitched a ride with me as we headed to the kitchen together, with Saffron bringing up the rear. As we walked, Mylo's hip bumped into mine. When I met his gaze, he poked his tongue out playfully. The confidence he'd gained since becoming my mate was beautiful.

I grinned and bumped his hip right back. As he chuckled, I noticed a mischievous glimmer in his eyes. He was a ferret too, after all—the naughtiest of little predators.

And the one I loved the most.

THE END