Page 87 of Viciously Yours

She bumped against him. “But you love me.”

“Unfortunately.” He slung an arm around her shoulders, walking them toward the others. “We need to take Rose inside to rest, but we’ll see you tonight at dinner.”

Amos held out his arms and took Rose from Rennick, blowing on her rounded cheek. Amelia hugged Clover and informed her of Fawn’s planned arrival before bidding her goodbye.

“Echo,” Amelia yelled, waving when a familiar head of dark hair popped around the edge of the entrance. “Can you take Amos and Clover to Birdie, please? She’ll show them to their rooms.”

The guard gave her a mock salute, and Amelia mouthed,“Fuck you,”making them both laugh.

After they’d gone, Rennick shushed the children and cupped a hand behind his ear. “I think I hear a monster.”

The kids screamed and ran off, but Rennick grabbed Corrigan from behind and set her on his shoulders. She squealed and covered his eyes. “I caught the monster!”

He held his hands out, pretending to feel around.

“Mommy, run!” Corrigan shrieked, but it was too late. Rennick’s hand grasped her shoulder.

He gasped in mock horror and set their daughter on the ground. “What do we do if the queen gets caught by the monster? How do we save her?”

“Magic kisses and hugs!” Corrigan bellowed. Amelia squatted down and steadied herself against the onslaught of kisses peppering her cheeks from Corrigan as Wren wrapped his arms around her from behind. “Thank you for saving me,” she said enthusiastically, pressing a hand to her chest.

Rennick leaned down and swept her into his arms. “I think you need one more to be sure. We wouldn’t want a big scary monster to carry you off to a faraway land.”

He smiled against her lips because they both knew one already had.