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I kiss her again, again, and again. Sucking away all oxygen between us, pushing my tongue past her lips to swirl it around hers. I bite and drag the pillowy flesh between my teeth, then kiss her again to make it better.

“Ah…Ah…Ooo wahhh,” Aria’s cries echo from the caravan.

We pause, our lips brushing over each other for a beat. I rub my thumb over her pulse, then kiss her one last time before releasing her.

“If you bring a bottle out, I’ll feed her while you eat. But I’d like to stay out and keep watch.”

“Okay.” She smiles, then goes to gather little Aria.

Bandits aside…

This is the best time I’ve had in my life.

Violet

Chapter 9

“Cain, wait!” I call to him in a whisper as I reach out and grab his bicep. He stops and turns to me, standing so close that he must look down his nose at us. “I don’t want to do this…” Wrapping my arms a little further around Aria, I hold her close to my heart. Then I glance at the door at the end of the walkway. Or rather, the sign hanging above it.

Petrov’s Home for Children

Pru’s parents are not only deeply involved in the church and volunteer in the community, but they also turned their home into an orphanage after their daughters left home. They’re good people, but this isn’t what Aria needs.

“I hate this, too.” Cain grabs my waist with one hand and runs the opposite hand up my arm until he’s wrapped his fingers around the nape of my neck. “But it’s not our time…”

“I thought you said you had a family in mind for her?” I tilt my nose down to nuzzle Aria’s head, breathing in her sweet baby smell. “She should be with someone who has time to cuddle her and read to her. Someone who will learn her favorite songs and help her discover new things.” Cain’s thumb motions up and down over my neck just as a tear drops down my cheek. “I’d give up being a nurse and even theater just to be with her…”

“I do have a family in mind for her. This is just a safe place for her to be until they’re ready,” Cain says as he rubs his thumb along my cheekbone, wiping away my tears. “You will be the most wonderful mother…”

Leaning into his touch, I look up, meeting his gaze. His eyes move over me, then down at little Aria, and back. Then the door creaks, making my heart jump, and my stomach twist and churn.

“Violet? Cain?” Cora’s voice reaches me, and Cain wipes another tear from my cheek before we turn to her. Cain keeps one arm over me, his grip keeping me close to him, while gently holding my arm with the other. I take a breath and roll my shoulders back. Cain didn’t let go... With his arms around me, I can place my anxiety in his hands and trust the process.

With Cain holding me together, I can let go.

With Cain holding me together, I allow him to guide me to the door.

Cora’s forehead pinches, the wrinkles peeking out from behind her dark bangs. Her auburn hair is cut in a cute pixie cut, a bold choice for the Lady of the House of Petrov. While there’s no written law stating how we keep our hair, it’s well known that it’s what is expected of High Steward Powers.

“How lovely to see you both. I didn’t even know you two were having a baby.” Cora steps aside, her petite frame barely blocking the entrance as it was.

“Oh, she’s not ours…” I swallow. She’s just a baby…

“We found her.” Cain’s thumb rubs back and forth over my waist. Cora closes the door behind us. “We were hoping that you could take her in.”

“Of course.” Cora steps forward, arms out for Aria, but I can’t. I step back and shake my head. Cain pulls me closer to his side, and Cora brings her arms back in and smiles at us.

“How many children do you have right now?” I look around, but all the children must be in bed already.

“Only four. We have plenty of space.” She tugs a shawl that she no doubt crocheted herself further around her shoulders.

“I’d like to see where she will be sleeping.” I look up at Cain, “May I rock her to sleep before we go?”

“Yes.” Cain leans over us, gently brushing his hand over Aria’s head before letting me go.

“The nursery is up the stairs, last door on the right. It’s straight across from our bedroom.”

The walk feels longer than it is. I climb one flight of stairs, pass the bathroom, and a couple of closed doors. Then I hear him, Pru’s father Victor, his voice a subtle boom from the room up ahead. I step into the light, peering through the cracked door. He’s standing in the middle of the room, holding a book open in one hand, and acting out the scene with grand gestures. Two girls, probably around ten, sit on cushions on the floor, smiling from ear to ear.