told Rasha, “My brother Delaro helped me make this so I wouldn’t mess up the spell.”
Rasha glanced at whatever he held in his hand and asked, “What is it?”
Bas grinned at her as he turned so I could see his profile. “It’s a bracelet, one that Del and I made for you… if you want it.”
Rasha angled herself to him, too. “You made me a bracelet?”
Bas nodded. “Mhm. I wanted to be sure you had a way to get a hold of me if you ever needed me, even if you don’t have a phone. Do you like it, sweetpea? I can make you one with different colors, if you want, or change it to a necklace or something.”
My heart melted at that.
Rasha held out her wrist with a grin. “I love it. You put all my favorite colors in it.”
Basil said, “Of course I did. You want me to put it on you?”
“Yeah. How does it work?”
Basil began wrapping a long cord around her wrist. “No matter where I am in this world or in any other realm, I’ll always know if you need me. All you have to do is touch the bracelet and say my name, and I’ll come to you no matter where you are.”
“Even if you’re in Faela and I’m here?”
“Yes, sweetie, no matter where I am.” He tied off the bracelet, then pressed his forehead to hers as they stared at it. “I will always protect you, squirt.” He squeezed her hand. “I will always keep you safe.” He leaned up and kissed her forehead. “And I will come to you no matter what you need, even if it’s just help with your homework.”
She giggled, then threw her arms around him in a hug and whispered, “Thank you.”
“You’re very welcome, sweetpea.” He closed his eyes as he hugged her tight, and I didn’t think my heart could get any fuller.
When they let go, Rasha looked up at him shyly as she said, “Leilani told me that pthair means ‘father’ in Caillea.”
“She’s right.”
“And she said paelie means ‘father’ or ‘Dad’ in Fae’lee.”
“Also correct.” Bas nudged her with a grin.
She bit her lip for a few seconds, then hesitantly said, “Now I’m kinda like a fae, right?”
“Yes.”
“And so are you a little because of the Three stuff?”
“Yep,” Bas said.
Rasha nodded. “I think I like Paelie better.” She glanced around, biting her lip for a second before she faced him and asked, “Would it be okay if I called you that… Paelie?”
Basil’s eyes widened and shot over to me as if seeking permission. My throat was clogged with emotion, but I nodded to him because this was Rasha’s choice, not mine, and Basil breathed out, “I would love that.”
Rasha grinned up at him. “Paelie.”
Bas smiled, and I knew he was having trouble keeping his emotions at bay as he pulled her back into a hug. I still couldn’t speak, but I pushed off the doorframe and sat on the other side of Rasha, rubbed her back, and kissed Bas’s hand.
Never in my life did I imagine I’d have another partner in this life, and I certainly didn’t think Rasha would ever have another parent. My life had been turned upside-down since Basil came into it, and I couldn’t have asked for anything better. He loved me, but more importantly, he loved my daughter—our daughter.
That was going to take some getting used to, but that was the truth of the matter. I wanted Bas to be my partner in life, in all ways, and that included raising Rasha. He loved her the way I did; he deserved to call her his.
In fact, he deserved to be an official member of this family.
“Daddy, look what Paelie gave me,” Rasha said, holding out her wrist.
My heart stuttered and flipped in my chest at the casual way she called him her father. “That’s beautiful,” I finally said after clearing my throat. I threw my arm over her shoulders and grabbed the back of Bas’s neck so he’d stay close. “Your Paelie is pretty great, huh?”
She nodded. “He is!” Then she proceeded to tell me everything Bas had said about the bracelet while I massaged Basil’s neck and sent him a soft smile.
Over the top of her head, I mouthed, I love you, witch.
He grinned, then said through our link, I love you, too, hunter.
“You sure you’re up for this?” I asked Basil and Rasha.
Rasha nodded, and Bas sent me a sad smile, saying, “Yeah, dimples, we’re ready.”
Taking a deep breath, we