8. Mira

8

MIRA

I sit cross-legged on the floor with Nova and Luna, their copper curls glowing in the afternoon sunlight streaming through the shop windows. We've been practicing simple songs all morning, their sweet voices joining mine in nursery rhymes.

"Let's try the thalivern song again," I suggest, smoothing my skirt. "Remember the words?"

Nova's violet eyes light up. "The pretty one about colors!"

"Flutter high, flutter low," I begin, my voice soft but clear. The twins join in, their tiny hands moving in excitement.

"Through the garden watch them go. Yellow, blue, and purple bright-"

A burst of sparkling lights erupts above our heads as Luna waves her arms. Shimmering thaliverns in the exact colors from the song materialize, their magical wings casting rainbow reflections across the wooden floor.

"Luna!" I gasp, but can't help smiling at her proud grin.

Not to be outdone, Nova furrows her brow in concentration. The magical thaliverns transform, their wings growing larger, smaller, then swirling into different patterns.

"Red and orange in the light," we continue singing. More colors bloom overhead, the twins' magic feeding off each other. Luna adds glittering trails behind each thalivern while Nova makes them dance in perfect circles.

"Through the flowers, watch them play," I sing, trying to keep them focused on the actual song rather than their impromptu light show. But Nova has other ideas. She claps her hands and the thaliverns dive down, weaving between us. One lands on my nose, its wings cool and ticklish against my skin.

"Again!" Luna bounces on her knees. "More colors!"

"Maybe we should take a break-" The words barely leave my mouth before both girls launch into the song again, their enthusiasm making up for any missed notes. This time, their magic creates not just thaliverns but blooming flowers that float through the air, petals shimmering with inner light.

I watch them work their magic, their faces scrunched in concentration even as they sing. Nova carefully crafts each detail while Luna adds wild bursts of color and light, their different personalities clear in how they shape their power.

A flower crown materializes above my head, woven from their magical blooms. It settles gently in my hair as the twins beam at their handiwork.

Lost in the moment with the twins' magical display, I don't notice the heavy footsteps behind me. A deep voice joins our song, rich and resonant, weaving perfectly with my melody.

"Dancing through the summer sky, thaliverns bid the world goodbye..."

I startle, twisting around to find Karn standing in the doorway at the top of the stairs, his violet eyes reflecting the magical lights above us. His forge-stained apron is still tied around his waist, and there's a smudge of soot across his cheek that makes him look younger somehow.

The twins squeal in delight. "Uncle Karn! Look what we made!"

Karn raises one hand, copper-red hair gleaming as he adds his own magic to their creation. The floating flowers and thaliverns pulse with deeper colors, taking on a metallic sheen. Each thalivern's wings now shimmer like polished silver, while the petals gain delicate filigree patterns.

"Beautiful work, little stars." His gruff voice carries such tenderness. He steps closer, and I catch the scent of smoke and metal that always surrounds him. "But what's this about making crowns without me?"

Luna bounces up. "Mira needs pretty things!"

"Does she now?" His gaze meets mine, a slight smile playing at the corners of his mouth. He lifts his hands again, and thin strands of magical metal weave through my flower crown, securing the blooms with intricate metalwork that catches the light.

Nova tugs at his apron. "Make one for Luna too!"

"And Nova!" Luna adds, not to be forgotten.

Karn chuckles, the sound rumbling deep in his chest. He crouches down beside us, his broad shoulders blocking the sunlight as he crafts two smaller crowns with a mix of metal and magic. The twins' power reaches out to tangle with his, adding their own sparkle and color to his more structured spellwork.

"Dance!" Luna shouts once their crowns are complete, starting to spin in a circle. "Like the thaliverns!"

Nova grabs my fingers, pulling me up from the floor. "You too, Mira!"

I let them guide me into their dance, which consists mainly of twirling in circles while their magic continues to paint the air with light. Luna holds one of my hands while Nova takes the other, and we spin together until their giggles make me laugh too.

Karn leans against the wall, arms crossed over his broad chest. The smile on his face transforms his usually stern features, softening the scar across his eyebrow. His violet eyes track our movement, watching for any signs the twins might stumble.

"Uncle Karn is being boring," Luna declares, releasing my hand to march over to him. She tugs at his apron strings. "You have to dance too!"

"I don't dance, little star." But his smile grows wider as Nova joins her sister's crusade.

"Please?" Nova's freckled nose scrunches up. "Like us and Mira!"

"Yeah!" Luna demonstrates, grabbing Nova's hands. They spin in a wobbly circle. "Like this!"

Karn shoots me a helpless look as the twins tug him forward. His large hands engulf theirs as they position him where they want him.

"Now hold Mira's hands," Nova instructs, very serious about the proper dance formation.

My heart skips as Karn steps closer, his calloused fingers gentle as they wrap around mine. He towers over me, and this close I can see flecks of darker purple in his eyes.

"Round and round!" Luna commands, and we begin to spin.

The twins' laughter echoes off the shop walls as they dance beside us, their magic swirling overhead in streams of light. Karn moves with surprising grace for such a large man, his steps careful to match my pace. The warmth of his hands spreads up my arms, and I find myself laughing along with the girls as we turn.

"Faster!" Nova calls out, and Karn obliges, our circle widening. His copper-red hair comes loose from its tie, a few strands falling across his forehead. The corner of his mouth quirks up when he catches me looking.

The room spins in a blur of color and light, but Karn's steady grip keeps me anchored. His thumbs brush against my wrists, careful to avoid the brand mark on my right side. The simple consideration makes my chest tight.

Makes my mind think all the wrong things about this demon. This very handsome, very strong, very big and muscular demon who I can't seem to get out of my head. Who I just want one taste of-

"Uncle Karn, you're doing it wrong!" Luna plants her hands on her hips, pulling me from my very inappropriate thoughts about her uncle. "You have to smile more!"

"I am smiling." His deep voice carries a hint of amusement.

Nova shakes her head, copper curls bouncing. "No, a real smile. Like when you finish a pretty necklace."

"Or when we help organize your tools," Luna adds.

Karn's eyes crinkle at the corners. "You mean when you turn all my hammers purple?"

"They look better that way." Luna nods sagely.

I can't help but laugh at her conviction. "The purple does add a certain charm to the workshop."

"Don't encourage them." But Karn's grip on my hands tightens slightly as he spins us again. "I still haven't figured out how to change them back."

"That's because Nova made them stick." Luna points at her sister, who tries to hide behind my skirts.

"Did not!" Nova peeks out. "Luna said to!"

"Did too!"

"Did-"

"Little stars," Karn's voice cuts through their argument. "What did we say about blaming each other?"

The twins exchange guilty looks. Nova's bottom lip trembles. "Sorry, Luna."

"Sorry, Nova." Luna hugs her sister. "Want to make more pretty lights?"

They join hands, their magic immediately sparking between them. Above our heads, the thaliverns and flowers multiply, creating a canopy of shifting colors. A few strands of magic escape their control, zipping past us to knock over a display of charms.

Karn releases my hands to catch the falling pieces. He sets them aside quickly, his fingers brushing mine as he steadies me, making sure I don't stumble. "Perhaps we should take a break before we knock everything off the shelves."

"But it's dance time!" Luna protests.

"The kitchen has cookies," I counter, knowing their weakness.

Nova's eyes light up. "The ones with sparkly sugar?"

"If you help clean up the magic first."

The twins wave their hands, dissolving their magical creations into shimmering dust that settles on everything - including Karn's beard. He runs a hand through it, sending tiny sparkles floating through the air.

"Oh, that is a perfect addition," I tease as I look at him.

Karn shakes his head, sending another shower of glitter through the air. The smile lingers on his face, softening the sharp angles of his jaw and the stern set of his brow. Even the scar above his eye seems less harsh when his whole face lights up like this.

"Kitchen," he rumbles. "I'll get started on this mess before the glitter multiplies."

Luna races for the door, her copper curls bouncing. "Race you!"

"No running!" Karn and I call out in unison. Our eyes meet, and his smile widens just a fraction.

"I've got this." He gestures to the floor. "If you want to go help them with the cookies."

"Of course." I turn, going toward the kitchen even though I don't want to leave him.

My fingers brush the flower crown still nestled in my hair, feeling the delicate metalwork he added. The magic tingles against my skin - warm and protective, just like him.

Every day I notice new things about him: the gentle way he handles the twins despite his intimidating size, how his violet eyes soften when they master a new spell, the quiet strength in everything he does.

This feeling settles in my chest - warm and terrifying and wonderful all at once. How natural it feels to call out warnings about running, to know exactly which cookies they prefer, to catch Karn's eye across the room and share a silent laugh at their antics. How easy it is to forget I wasn't always here, wasn't always part of this little family they're creating.

How long will it be until I’m not?