Daughter of Tide and Illusion

Chapter 25

Chapter 25

The utter happiness of being able to fully display her magic for her family...gods above, Lyv never knew how much she needed it. It was all because of Elys, too, who had practically bragged to her nieces and nephews about their nightly routine of a story. And because of him, all the kids begged her sisters to let her read to them all.

That was how they found themselves all piled into Lyv's bed, Elys's favorite storybook open in front of them, as Lyv used magic to make those ink figures come alive.

It hadn't just been the kids who were mesmerized by it all, but her sisters and brothers-in-law, Merek, and Evelien as well. They'd all gathered around to listen and watch also, along with her parents. Bridget couldn't help the smile on her face, knowing that Lyv continued on the tradition of what she'd done for her.

But it wasn't until she was halfway through the story that she realized two others had come to listen, too. Her father Bence looked tired, shadows ringing underneath his blue eyes, but they brightened as soon as they met Lyv's gaze. He looked...happy almost, but also worried about something. There was no blood on him, though, which was a good thing, especially when he'd looked about ready to murder Jai as soon as he stepped forward toward him in the courtyard.

And Jai...well, she was happy to see he was still breathing and not strung up in iron chains. He was leaning casually against the archway that separated her bedroom from the sitting room, a bright smile on his face as he watched the children's and adults' awe at the ink mermaids and dragons and ships. That look of pride, of love in his eyes made Lyv's heart twisted in her chest. Not from pain, but rather wonder at how this beautiful, strong male could be hers...

And it made her understand that while she had her own demons to conquer from her past, especially when they were both here in Escarral, it would be easier to do so with him at her side.

So, she gave him a smile, one that was small and shy and hesitant. One that gave not too much, but not too little.

And the story went on. Literally. Those nieces and nephews of hers weren't going to let her stop for a moment until it was finished and the ink figures darted through the air to land back on the pages, unmoving once more.

Not one of them were asleep, but every single pair of wonder-filled eyes were red and tired-looking as they stared up at her.

"Can we have another one tomorrow night?" Rowland asked.

His sister, Penny, nodded quickly. "Elys said you had tons of storybooks! Where do you keep them all? You only have that bag!"

"And he said you have more than enough for all the nights you'll be here to read them to us," Avice pipped in.

"So, can you?" Piers begged, which then prompted them all to do the same.

"Fine, fine!" Lyv laughed, shifting so she could look at all of their little faces, including Elys's. "Guess you all get your way then."

All of them jumped up and cheered, except for Elys, who grinned from where he was still cocooned against her side.

"All right, that's enough," Ada laughed as she stood from her place beside the bed. She reached out her arms for the two-year-old Dain, who jumped right into them with a bright, sleepy smile. "All of you, give your Aunt Lyv a kiss goodnight and tell her thank you for the story. It's time for bed and your daddies are going to take you for us."

There were several half-hearted protests, but they all lined up for hugs and kisses from her, promising to see her in the morning. And one by one, they jumped off and headed for their fathers, who all also gave Lyv a kiss on the cheek goodnight. Lyv couldn't resist giving the blurry-eyed and smiling Balian a kiss either, followed by hugs to both his mother and father.