Changed by Fire (Phoenix Rising #6) - Harper Wylde Page 0,119

the world the way I’d always wished someone had protected me. It was a maternal instinct, one that was surprising to me.

Before I could ask him more about the unreadable expression that flitted across his face, Li Min and Angela stepped outside, both grinning ear to ear at the kids who were working to build a snowman.

“Sia, Aaron, Taavi, Natia!” Angela called. “It’s time to come inside.” The kids all groaned, whimpered, and whined. Angela strode over to us, and I turned in Killian’s embrace, letting him drape a warm arm over my shoulders as he held me against his side. “Besides, you two look like you could use some alone time together without the little minions running around.”

“I don’t mind. You know how much I love playing with them,” I offered.

“I know you spend most of your time with them, so I wanted to give you a break and do something fun with them,” Killian told her, his usual grumbly voice toned down and tamed to politeness. “Anyway, I think they like wrestling with me. Taavi and Aaron especially. Makes them feel good when they can one-up me.”

“It’s good for them to feel in control of their own lives, though anyone who looks at you knows you’re going easy on them and letting them best you. You remind me so much of your father. It’s been so long since I’ve seen your parents, but I remember the way he used to let Ciarán and you tackle him much like that.” She motioned to the indents in the snow where Killian had rolled around with the kids.

Killian swallowed hard at the mention of his parents. Just how much did he regret pushing his family away? Now that Ciarán was in his life—for better or worse, though I knew deep down, past all his irritation with his brother, Killian was happy he was here—he’d finally regained his connection to his family. Those two would do anything for each other, whether they’d admit it or not. I just hoped in the future they’d be able to have a closer relationship—although the brothers training together and Ciarán helping Kill learn his Puca’s powers was a start. Hell, Killian’s influence might even help Ciarán right now. Lord knew what the hell was going through that Celt’s mind with the way he was treating Rini. It made my heart ache to see her so upset, pushing forward and pasting fake smiles on her lips just to get through the day without him.

The kids filed past us with sad frowns and grumbles.

“Don’t be sad. We just want to get you warmed up before you turn into cute little popsicles,” Le Min teased.

“Besides, we have hot chocolate.” Angela clapped her hands and the kids brightened, their joyous smiles returning with their renewed enthusiasm as they followed the pair of women indoors to get out of their wet snow gear.

“Come on.” Killian led me toward the door as well. “Let’s go get ourselves warmed up too.”

“What? You want hot chocolate?” I teased, though the idea of a warm mug in my hands sounded decadent.

“No, baby. But I do have another dessert on my mind.” Killian rarely flirted so openly, and my ovaries rolled over and begged from the sinful grin he wore, and the way his tongue peeked out to slowly lick the center of his bottom lip.

He owed me. First from the gym, and now for the snow. Oh yeah, he more than owed me.

And I was ready to collect.

Twenty-Seven

Killian

Blood. There was so much damn blood. It was everywhere. It coated the ground, the remaining piles of snow bleeding to red. It covered my hands, thick, hot, and sticky. No matter how much I tried to scrub it off, there was always more. Too much of it to get clean. A high-pitched, pained screech shot through the air.

I jolted awake, sucking air into my lungs as I forced myself to breathe through my panic. The sheets tangled and pulled as I swung my feet over the edge of the bed and scrubbed my hands through my hair, trying to find my bearings. When I woke up from nightmares—visions, my Puca whispered insistently—it took me a few minutes to reassimilate and ground myself in the present again.

Nix stirred behind me, and I silently cursed myself for disturbing her peaceful slumber and waking her up. She’d been having trouble sleeping lately, battling her own demons in the night, and knowing she couldn’t even nap with me without shouldering my