Adult Nighttime Stories Novels & Stories

The evil ones. The kind of bedtime stories mothers whispered to keep their children from wandering past the watchtowers after nightfall. Stories I'd dismissed as folklore meant to frighten the young and gullible, nothing more than superstition wrapped in shadow. Yet here one stood, in my bedroom, as real as the floorboards beneath my feet.

I said with a small laugh. The remaining nighttime was spent in bedtime routines and warm baths, in stories and toothbrushes. Mirabel insisted on one of Clinton’s old bedtime tales — something about a crocodile and a mango — and I fumbled my way through the story while they giggled under their covers. When they finally dozed off, I stayed a while longer in the hallway, just watching them sleep. Japheth curled toward the window. Jake, hugging his teddy. Mirabel, one leg dangling off the bed as if dreaming of her little bride walk.

Ember's POV I pulled the duvet up, tucking the kids in properly as I turned off the light and made to leave but Bella suddenly grabbed my little finger stopping me. "Mommy," she called. "What is it, baby?" I asked, settling back on her bed. "I don't think I'll fall asleep anytime soon. Can you read me a story?" She asked. "Stop acting like a baby Bella. Bed night stories are for babies and not soldiers," Atlas said, making me chuckle.

"Can we do another one together?" "Sure but we'll have snacks first." Crimson set the tray down on the table and they both sat down, enjoying the snacks. Cleo happily munched on a cookie while he ate cheese crackers. "Daddy, do you remember the bedtime story you told me last time?" "Which one, sweetie?" "The one about the kids who lived in a house made of candy... The scary lady used the sweets to trick them into coming inside so she could eat them." "That's Hansel and Gretel."

I picked him off the floor and walked us to the bedroom. "Can't I stay up for five more minutes?" Adrian asked, his beautiful jade eyes shimmering in the glow of his Power Ranger night light. "No, baby, you have school tomorrow," I told him, getting into the bed beside him. "How about a bedtime story?" "Yes!" he squealed excitedly. I chuckled and brought out my phone. After a few pages of the children's book I'd saved on my Kindle, Adrian was fast asleep. Plugging my phone in, I settled beside him, stroking his dark hair away from his chubby face.

I whispered with a loving smile, “Which story would you like tonight?” Mike’s face lit up with excitement, his tiny hands reaching for his favorite book. “The one about the brave little wolf, Mumma!” I chuckled as I opened the book, a captivating story about a young wolf’s rand adventure. Mike listened with rapt attention, his eager eyes fixed on the pages as I spun the tale of bravery and exploration. By the time I reached the part where the little wolf found solace under the silvery glow of the moon, my son was already fast asleep.

“We’ll stay until you fall asleep.” Liam lies back down, his little hand reaching out to grab mine. I sit on his other side, smoothing the blanket over him. “Daddy, tell me a story,” he mumbles, his voice already heavy with sleep. Jason chuckles softly, leaning down. “Once upon a time, there was a brave little wolf who loved his Mommy and Daddy very much but was scared to sleep alone in his bed...” By the time Jason finishes the short tale, Liam is breathing evenly, lost in dreams. Jason glances at me, his voice barely above a whisper. “He’s out.”

"I'll be looking forward to our next meal. It's getting late, so get some rest. Goodnight." "Absolutely, goodnight." I ended the call, and when I turned around, I was met with Daisy's inquisitive eyes. "Mommy, what did Nathan tell you?" she asked. "Nathan helped mommy out a lot." With the job situation resolved, my mood lifted. I closed my laptop and opened the storybook on the bedside table. "Sweetheart, what story would you like to hear tonight? 'The Ugly Duckling,' or 'Daughter of the Sea'?"

"Really? And what stories does Mommy tell you?" Brandon tilted his head, thinking. "The Three Bears, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, and the Prince and the Frog." He hesitated a little. "Mommy knows lots of stories too, but she only tells me one each night, so she finishes them quickly." Peter grinned. "Is that so? Do you really like listening to stories?" Brandon nodded enthusiastically. "I love it." "Then, how about letting Grandma tell you stories from now on? Sometimes, Mommy gets very tired."

"Did you know that dullahans have literal nightmares as steeds? As in the levitating spectral demon horses usually only commanded by the King of Dreams?" I stood up, making a shot for the garbage can with my cup. It bounced off the rim and scared a stray tabby cat. Well if that wasn't a metaphor for this conversation, I don't know what was. "Because I sure as hell didn't when I'd asked him to take me home!" Fun fact: Nightmares are actually very sweet once you get past the teeth. Not so fun fact: They like sudden drops when flying. "Promise. Details," Noelle threatened with a current of magenta magic sparking at her fingers. "Now!"