Even with all the people coming in and out to see me and check on the twins, I feel lonely not being able to talk to Milo. Not because of Aphrodite trying to convince me I should date him, but because I’ve always been able to talk to Milo. He is always in a good mood and can lighten my mood with one cheesy joke. “Hey Arnie, do you know if Beta Milo is around? He had mentioned bringing Codi to come meet her cousins.” I ask when he comes to check on me before the shift change. “I’ll let him know you’re looking for him, Luna. I think he’s been busy working with the accounting team on the pack budget. You know the Alpha likes that to be finished early every year.” “Oh yeah,” I wave my hand, like it’s not a big deal. “If he’s busy, I get it. It’s no problem.” I can’t help but think about how the budget is supposed to be Bronx and my responsibility. Is Bronx really so distracted by other things that he can’t even handle that aspect of his job? Another two days passes before he sends me
I settle against the pillows and silently breathe a sigh of relief. “Alright, I have one condition to give you a binder.” He smirks at me. Oh crap… “A condition?” I swear to the Goddess, if he asks me on a date right now… I’ll let him down gently. “Diane is back from maternity leave. She gets to be your lead nurse.” “Milo, I can’t-” Whoa. What? “Wait. Diane?” “Yeah. I know we can trust her. She’s an exceptional nurse and great with kids.” He shrugs and kisses the top of Codi’s head. “Carly is going to be going back to work soon, too. She is going to be neck deep, helping me catch up on all the stuff Bronx hasn’t been keeping up with. Their babies are going to be in the nursery full time. If Diane is here, their kids and your kids can spend time together every now and again.” I don’t even have to think about it. Getting to see Diane every day? Yes, please. “I would love that.” “Good. I’ll let her and her boss know.” Milo nods and looks relieved. “Milo, I have a question.” I
It seems like an eternity before Milo’s finger tips move away from my chin, but his face stays close to mine as he looks into my eyes. “I can go if that’s really what you want.” He whispers, softly. His breath on my lips makes my heart beat harder. “Is it? What you want, I mean?” “I-I don’t know what I want.” I hear myself say it and I feel myself shake my head in his gentle hands, but my mind doesn’t believe its own words. His eyes draw me in. The scent of figs reminds me of how strong eating the fruit made me feel. I can’t help but wonder if a kiss would provide the same effect. Milo’s gentle fingers move to my neck and slide behind my ears, carefully bringing my face closer to his. “Maybe we could figure it out together, Kas.” My body catches up to my mind and I nod my head, letting my eyes flutter closed as he moves closer. His lips brush against mine lightly, making my heart go wild in my chest. I let myself lean a little closer to see if my heart can handle more. Ding! Milo
“D-Delilah?” My voice cracks and I don’t even have a chance to stop the tears that stream down my face. I reach my arm out and carefully walk toward her, gripping the cane tightly. “Oh my, Goddess. I can’t believe it!” She rushes to me and pulls me into a crushing hug. “Luna Regent, Goddess Iokaste Latmus Mason, don’t you dare scare me like that ever again.” At the mention of my full name and formal title with her thick French accent, the air changes. Delilah’s ambient magic causes me to feel calm and content. A perk of having a witch for a best friend, I suppose. A hint of a blue aura surrounds us as we hold each other. “Oh, Delilah, I have so much to tell you.” I bury my face in her shoulder and feel relieved. “I’ve missed you so much, darling. I’ve thought about you every day. I thought we would never see each other again.” “Oh now, Kas. We all know a pesky little thing like death could never stop you.” Delilah laughs and makes bells ring in the air again. “And a silly rule lik
“Marco, I’m so sorry. They told me you Bronx had you arrested. I didn’t think he would throw you in the dungeon!” I blink away fresh tears from my eyes and look up at him. “I should have never gotten you or Delilah involved in my plans.” “No llores, amiga.” He pats the side of my face and wipes the tears from my eyes, but then looks at me with concern. “Que? Noooo… Musu, qué es? Mi Diosa! Quién robó tus colores? [What? Noooo… Musu, what is this? My Goddess! Who stole your colors?” Marco gently pulls on the skin below my eyes. A wash of panic comes over his face as he looks at me. “Marco, it’s okay, mon loup.” Musu touches his forearm and moves his hand away from my face. “The Luna is healing now. Just like you are. Her eyes will change back to violet soon enough.” “She’s right, Marco. One day my eyes will be violet again. We just have to be patient. Why don’t we all sit down?” James and Musu bring chairs so all of us can sit down to talk. I take Marco’s hand in mine and turn it o
James, Jorge, and Musu explain what had just happened while I sit quietly. Delilah takes my hand while they speak and whispers a calming spell into my ear. I can feel a gentle warmth flow through her hand and flow through my body. I can feel Milo staring at me, making my cheeks flush. I can’t look at him right now. If I tell him I don’t know what happened, he’ll call me out. They can discuss it as much as they want. I won’t announce to my friends that Aphrodite just tried to choke me with rose petals. Then I’ll have to tell them they summoned me to Kardiá tou Menae and Aphrodite hijacked me on the trip home. They’ll put me in the psychiatric ward. Like James said, even for me, that was weird. Besides, why would Aphrodite try to choke me if she’s trying to help me? I know she wasn’t pleased with me declining her offers the first time, but enough to kill me? That doesn’t seem likely. Another deity must be behind this phenomenon. Maybe she has a flunkey who took her orders the wrong wa
I peek an eye open and find we are at the top of the staircase on the fifth floor. “Milo, you scared the crap out of me!” I slap his chest not so playfully. “Put me down.” “What?! Codi loves it when I do that.” When he sees I’m not amused, he clears his throat and his face flushes. “Come on, Kas. Don’t be mad. I was trying to cheer you up.” I twist my mouth and sigh at him. “Fine. What else did you need to talk to me about? I’m getting kind of worn out. I didn’t sleep well last night.” “We need to go into Bronx’s apartment. The other thing is more… uh… visual.” What the Hell is that supposed to mean? It sounds so cryptic. Are he and Bronx trying to corner me into talking to Bronx? Maybe get me to finally accept his rejection? I swallow hard. “I-is he in there? I don’t want to see him. I’m not ready.” “Kas, if he’s in there, we have bigger problems than you two crossing paths.” Milo slides his hand over my shoulder, then leads me toward my former home. “Come on.” “Milo, can’t y
“That was what he told the press right before he went inside the airport and got on a plane to go to rehab.” Milo shakes his head, looking at the phone sadly. “Ashley and the PR team have been spending half their time trying to manage calls and inquiries.” “H-he’s really not here. W-why would he put our babies out there like that, then leave us alone? If it were just me, that’s one thing, but the twins?” My mouth suddenly feels dry as panic builds in my chest. “Wh-what if someone tries to chase us down for a picture? What if they try to break into the packhouse? Milo, what if they try to kidnap my babies? I can’t stop them. I’m not strong enough right now. What am I going to do? How do I keep them safe? I can barely walk or hold them without help.” “Kas, look at me, Sugar. I won’t let any of that happen. I just need you to trust me, okay?” Milo sits up and rests his elbows on the arm of the chair, speaking slowly, and wipes my tears away. He cups my face in his hands when speaks aga