Beauty in Ashes (Phoenix Rising #7)- Harper Wylde Page 0,12

truly curious about your past, Nix, maybe Damien can help,” Kill grumbled from beside me, clearly unhappy with the idea of me delving back into my past after the last time, but offering the suggestion anyway.

Truthfully, I wasn’t sure I wanted to try that little trick again, though I trusted Damien to help me if I decided it was worth it.

“I know we don’t have Gaspard to guide him now, but Damien is strong,” Hiro interjected, his tone as calm and gentle as if he was cajoling a bunny from its hiding place after it scented his Kitsune. Somehow, I knew he could pull off that feat, and his smooth tenor was a balm to my nerves. “I’m sure he could help you reach memories you’ve forgotten about. Ones with your mom in them.” It sounded tempting, and I wavered as I imagined getting to see her again in my memories. “Every theory we come up with is just conjecture. Maybe it would help answer some of your questions and put a few of your fears to rest.”

“I’ll think about it,” I promised, sending each one of them an appreciative glance while wishing Damien was here so they could feel my gratitude and love through the mental connection he wielded. Instead, I sent them a soft smile, more sure of my next words than I’d ever been about anything. “The truth is, my past is my past. I can’t change anything that happened, and while I may have more questions than answers, all that truly matters is my future, and that’s with you. All of you.”

Killian practically purred next to me, his green eyes intense as he pulled me onto his lap, cradled my face between his large hands, and kissed me soundly. Every press of his lips and sweep of his tongue shot straight to my heart and set me on fire until all my worries and concerns were pushed to the background to deal with another day.

“I’ve never heard anything so good in my entire life,” he muttered when we finally came up for air.

“Oh, I don’t know. I could think of something better,” I teased, letting everything else fall away except for my mates.

Hiro hummed a deep, rumbling sound. “And what’s that?”

I smiled sinfully. “How about ‘take me upstairs?’”

Laughter carried through the stairwell as Killian bounded up them two at a time with me in his arms, and while the three of them owned my body and showed me just how much they loved me, I knew what I said was true.

My men were my future, and I was more than ready to embrace it.

Four

Nix

“Today was so much fun!” Emersyn squealed with a big smile plastered across her little face. The night’s cool air nipped at her cheeks and nose, making them rosy. Her small hand was clasped in mine, and the careless way she swung them between us with childlike innocence made my heart squeeze in my chest. After all the hardship and heartache she’d suffered, she remained resilient, and I was determined to give her the childhood neither of us had been blessed to have—until now.

“Did you enjoy ice skating with Uncle Theo?” I questioned, knowing she more than enjoyed it. While the rest of my men had been busy training and adjusting to our new roles as the leaders of the rebellion, Theo had been easily coerced into creating a skating rink for us and being our own personal instructor. He was just as taken with the little girl as the rest of us were, watching her learn to glide across the ice with pride.

“I loved it,” she gushed. “It was like flying.” Letting go of my hand, she spread her arms and threw her head back. Not watching where she was going, she slipped on an icy spot, and I lunged to steady her before she fell onto the snow.

“Careful,” I warned gently, and she smiled sheepishly. Being around Emy had come more naturally than I ever expected, and while she wasn’t my child, it made it easier to picture having a family of my own someday. Until then, I had my hands full with my six mates and Emy too.

“My tummy is so full.” Emersyn rubbed a hand over her stomach as we headed down the path that led to the lodge. “Uncle Damien is the best cook. He makes really yummy mac and cheese.”

I chuckled. “I’ll make sure to tell him to make more for you soon. I think he’s trying