and eating area, living space, and bedrooms. Calling down to the palace kitchen for meals was an option, but she wanted to cook for Kyler. The kitchen staff had been wonderful about getting her the ingredients she’d requested.
She’d seen what he ate on his ship. It was fine in a pinch, but tasteless.
“I made place cards,” Maggs announced. She set brightly decorated pieces of paper by each space. All kinds of supplies for the children had been delivered along with clothing and food. She had no idea if it came from the king or Kyler. Maggs had been awestruck to have real paper and paints and brushes and had spent the afternoon on her project.
Etta wiped her hands on a towel before joining the girls. The cards were white with bold flowers in every color of the rainbow surrounding their names. But it was what was on them that made her heart skip a beat.
The door to the suite slid open and Kyler walked in, larger than life and more handsome than ever. Just looking at him made her knees weak and her body ache. One corner of his mouth twitched, as if he knew exactly what she was thinking. And he probably did.
“Surprise,” Sera and Maggs cried out.
“Surprise.” She held her arms out to him, loving it when he moved into them without hesitation.
“What’s all this?”
“I made supper and the girls decorated the table.” Should she have done that? Would he balk at eating what she cooked?
A muscle in his jaw twitched. “You cooked? For me?”
Shit, maybe this hadn’t been such a great idea. “If you don’t want it, it’s fine. If you have dietary restrictions, I can get you something else.” It was a way out if he wanted to take it.
“I want it.” His voice was low, his eyes darker than ever. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” She went up on her toes. Their lips millimeters away.
“Come see what we did.” Maggs tugged on Kyler’s hand. He dropped a quick kiss on Etta’s lips before allowing himself to be dragged away.
He complimented Sera on the table arrangement. Then he studied the place cards Maggs had made. His entire body stilled. He glanced toward her, but all she could do was shrug. It had caught her by surprise, too.
“Maggs el Darkos.” He ran his finger over each stylized letter. “Is that what you want?”
Hands on her hips, Maggs nodded, her red curls dancing. “We’re a family.” Then she bit her bottom lip, the gesture so familiar since Etta did it herself. “Right? Don’t you want us?”
Kyler el Darkos, the king’s blade, went to one knee in front of the child. “I’d be honored if you took my name. Have you discussed it with Etta?”
The girl shook her head. “I don’t want to be a Maggs Mortis anymore.”
“And you, Sera?” he asked, holding out his hand to her.
Etta’s heart melted when her sister took it. They trusted Kyler not to hurt them. And so did she. He turned his head toward her. “And you, Etta. Would you take my name?”
She went to him and cupped his face in her hands. “I would. I do.” Then she kissed him to seal the deal.
Maggs laughed and Sera groaned. “They’re always kissing,” Sera complained.
Etta laughed and straightened. “You’ll understand someday.”
Kyler bound to his feet and frowned. “She doesn’t need to understand.”
“Oh, gods, you’re going to be so overprotective, aren’t you?”
“Yes.” He allowed Maggs to lead him to his chair.
Shaking her head, Etta hurried to the kitchen. With Sera’s help, she put the meal on the table. It was a thick stew, homemade bread, and a berry cobbler for dessert.
“This is wonderful,” he told her after he’d taken several spoonfuls.
“Yes, it is.” Contentment filled her. Across the table, Kyler’s lips curved upward for a split second. In his eyes, there was heat and the promise of a love to last a lifetime.
****
King Agman read the last report and shut down his data pad. If he didn’t get home soon, his queen would come looking for him. As if he’d conjured her, Steffa strode into the room, a big smile on her face that never failed to push back the troubles of the day.
“You’re late. The family has all arrived,” she chided. Before he could stand, she leaned down and kissed the top of his head. They’d been married forty years and she still made his heart skip a beat whenever he saw her. There were fine lines radiating from the corners of her eyes and