I sit on the bed, but when he turns his back to me, I let out a disapproving sound. “Kirian. You didn’t even try to unknot these.”

“And deprive you of the experience of doing it for me? What kind of son do you think I am?”

Well, he certainly got his cockiness from his father.

I never thought I could love someone as much as I love Keryth, but my children are an extension of me. Of us. While Keryth is my soul, my children are my heart.

Snickering, I shake my head and get to work on Kirian’s shoulder-length hair. The light brown color is a perfect compromise between my blond and Keryth’s black. And Kirian ended up with the most beautiful lavender eyes. Toned down by his father’s light blue, they’re not quite as purple as mine.

Gia has similar coloring to Kirian, and I’m glad for a little variety in our realm. I remember back to my first glimpse of the nobles all those years ago, and how I’d hoped to mix with the Day Realm.

However, my initial excitement about socially merging our kingdoms was quickly squashed. In fact, the whole thing was an epic failure.

In an attempt to help men from the Day Realm meet women from here, we put together a meet-your-mate party in Dawn and Dusk.

But desperate men do foolish things. Some were so worried they wouldn’t get a female, they panicked. That panic turned into a riot. Fights broke out. Women were stolen. Blood was spilled. Keryth and his soldiers had to go on a mission to get our citizens back.

It left the state of our realms in a worse place than when we started.

Since then, we’ve allowed men from the Day Realm to apply for citizenship in the Night Realm. If they want to seek a mate here, they must prove their loyalty first. They have to serve at least five years in our military and pass a test on our customs.

I’ll admit I was pleasantly surprised by the number of males who jumped at the chance.

Our women, however, are not to cross over to the Day Realm. Ever. It’s not safe.

Of course, the laws don’t stop the occasional bandit from sneaking past our borders and stealing a female. It doesn’t happen often, but when it does, our justice is swift and harsh.

Kirian isn’t oblivious to our troubles. Although I wish I could shield him from reality, he’ll be king someday. He’s watching his father and me. Learning how to be fair and responsible.

If only he could brush his own hair.

I run the comb through one more time. “There. Snag-free.”

“Thanks.” Kirian reclines on the pillows, and I’m taken aback by how mature his face is starting to look.