Avra shooed the children toward their room and straightened the shirt she wore. It was one of Tey’s, and she knew that he would recognize it, but he had long since given up on keeping his clothes from her. She was too good a thief for any lock to keep her out, and she far surpassed him in magic. She paused at the mirror, tucking a stray lock of ice-blond hair behind one of her pointed ears. It had grown longer since she’d last checked, now brushing over her shoulders; it was a good inch or so longer than shoulder-length. Should I cut it? she wondered, fingering it. She then shook her head. No, she’d seen how Tey liked it a bit longer. It gave him more to play with. She eyed herself again, then slipped the neckline of the shirt off of one shoulder. With a satisfied nod, she turned away from the mirror. The three children still sat on her bed, their eyes bright. Arran sat silent, and Tano couldn’t talk yet, but Keela grinned widely. “Mommy?” “Yes sweetie?” “Why do you always wear your shirt off of one shoulder when Daddy’s around?” The little girl giggled as her twin brother elbowed her. Avra stalked toward them, though there was no menace in her gesture. “To bed with you now!” she exclaimed, shooing them off of the bed. They bounced ahead of her toward their bedroom, and Avra firmly shut the door between them. Strong arms suddenly circled her waist, and a set of lips brushed against her exposed shoulder. “She has a good point, luv,” a masculine voice whispered in her ear. She didn’t turn around—his arms were wrapped too tight around her waist—but she did raise her arms and drape them across the back of his neck. She turned her head to the side and kissed him slowly. “Oh she does, does she?” she asked, her voice low. Tey grinned. “Not that I mind,” he said quickly, swinging her up into his arms. “I love all of you.” She smiled. “No, you never mind,” she said, tickling his ribs. Somehow, she was the only one who could ever manage that feat. He gave her a mischievous wink. “You’re right, I never do,” he breathed into her hair as he carried her toward the bed.