Then, he ripped the toy out of my hand again, and threw it at his dad.

I blinked.

His dad handed the toy back, his smile slightly more genuine.

The baby shoved the toy at me again, waving it around as he made a demanding sound.

I took it faster than I had the first time, and he screeched with happiness.

Before he stole it back and threw it at his dad again.

His dad caught it this time, and the baby laughed loudly.

When his dad returned the toy, he repeated the first motion again, handing it to me.

And so our game began.

We must’ve played for ten minutes before Triton finally squeezed my thigh and murmured into my mind, “I think I’ve riled the kids up long enough. We can head down to the grotto if you’re ready.”

I agreed.

I liked the baby, but I was still sore and exhausted. And even though I’d kicked the grotto’s ass with my magic earlier, I didn’t want to have to get myself back down to the library on my own.

We said our goodbyes to everyone at the table—the toddlers wailed for a minute, but their parents distracted them with the promise of a swim—and slipped away.

Triton’s arm went around my waist, supporting some of my weight as we walked back to our room together. I leaned against him more than I ever had before. And for once, I didn’t feel like I needed to put more space between us.

I actually kind of enjoyed being so close to him.

I wasn’t going to overthink that feeling, obviously, but I didn’t hate it. Not even a little.

And as much as I didn’t want to admit it, I didn’t hate kids either.

Maybe I even loved them.

I could dissect that monster of a realization later.

twelve

ARIA

Back in the grotto, Triton basically forced me to climb into bed with a book. He wanted me to rest so my muscles could heal and recover. Now that I’d eaten and ventured out into the castle, I was definitely on board with that plan.

My body hurt.

Badly.

I read and dozed for the rest of the day, which wasn’t long, because I’d slept so much the night before. Triton was settled in a chair near the bed, his massive body sprawled out in a way that made him look both comfortable and ridiculously attractive.

Then again, he was always ridiculously attractive.

I was studying him on the sly, from behind the pages of my book, when I noticed his eyelids getting heavy.

Guilt hit me hard.