Page 32 of Triplets for the Dark Elf

Guilt swirls through me as I stare at the basket, though. Because I know no matter what he does, I can’t be with him. Even though I want to, I can’t risk leaving lowtowns or being in the shop. I especially can’t risk my kids.

Almu might have lost me that first night but he cost us years, and Miothro never knew it. And he doesn’t know that because of that dark elf, we have to forfeit the rest of our lives.

I wish that he would just stop trying to win me over. He already did, a long time ago, but just like he did for me that first night, I have to protect him. I can’t let him be in danger just to be happy – even if it is at the expense of my heart.

“Annalise?”

I blink, lifting my head as I realize Miothro has called my name. I find his indigo eyes on me, assessing me. He looks just like Hazel when he does that. How did I not realize that before?

“What?”

“I asked if you wanted to go somewhere with the kids?”

Reality hits me like a hoqin. “Shit.”

“Bad word!” Maeve shrieks, and I drag a hand down my face.

Miothro looks between me and his daughter. Untangling himself from Indie, who is, as usual, emptying out Miothro’s bag on the floor, he climbs to his feet. “Hey.” Gently, he closes the distance between us and grips my shoulders. “What’s wrong?”

I sigh, unable to hold back how worried I feel. “I don’t have anyone to watch the kids.”

He cocks his head. “Watch the kids?”

“I’m not off today,” I clarify, and his eyes widen.

He twists as he looks to where they are all three playing and back at me. “You have me.”

I blink, chewing over his words. Why didn’t I originally think of him? Because leaving a dark elf alone in lowtowns is crazy. And he absolutely can’t take the kids into the districts.

“Come on, Annalise,” he begs when the silence stretches between us. I chew on my bottom lip. “They’re my kids. Why are you acting like I can’t watch them?”

“It’s not that…”

His eyes narrow. “Yes, it is. Don’t lie to me.”

“No, Miothro. I just don’t know how I feel about a dark elf here in lowtowns.”

“I’m here all the time,” he counters.

“With me.” I shake my head. “That’s different.”

“We won’t leave the house,” he promises. “No one will see me. Let me do this.” His thumbs stroke my skin, and I almost melt into him. “Let me help you and spend time with my kids.”

He has been such a good dad. I don’t have any worries about leaving the kids with him. And surely if someone came after them, he would do everything he could to protect them. I see how much he loves them.

Should I be worried about them terrorizing him? Probably. He may spend a lot of time with them, but that’s when I’m with him. To help him. To teach him. I’ve been at this for years and he’s been doing it for a month.

But maybe the best test is to throw him to the worgs and hope everyone survives. I dare a look outside. It’s getting late and I know that I am pushing it as it is. I have to make a decision, and I don’t really have a choice.

How bad could it really go?

I lean around him to look at the triplets. “Hey, guys.” They all turn to look at me. “Do you want to play with Mimi instead of Lucy today?”

“Yes!” They scream, clamoring to their feet and rushing to Miothro. Even Hazel joins in, tugging him toward their toys and shouting games and different wishes at him.

He doesn’t look overwhelmed, I’ll give him that. He just grins, shaking his head.

“We need to talk about this Mimi thing later!” he shouts at me, but he’s chuckling. I don’t think it really bothers him anymore.