Hunted Hybrid – Aegis War Saga 1
Chapter 185
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I blew out a slow breath and turned to the wild herd now running barefoot down the hallways like wild little heathens. I loved every second of it.
“Alright, gremlins!” I shouted, my hands on my hips. “Next stop, the bathhouse! If you stink, you don’t eat. Those are the rules.”
Lyssira snorted in my head. “That’ll do it.”
Amaris and Taya were already ahead of me, corralling kids with the grace of seasoned chaos queens.
“Do not lick the banisters!” Taya yelled.
“Too late!” a boy called, his tongue still out.
“I saw that,” Amaris muttered, gagging.
We herded them through the enchanted archway that led to the bathhouse, and even I stopped to stare. The floors were smooth crystal tile that changed colors when you walked.
Giant clawfoot tubs shaped like seashells and animals lined one wall, with bubbles pouring over the edges already. Another side had rows of showers with enchanted soap creatures bouncing in little fountains, giggling as they scrubbed your hair for you.
“For the older kids,” I pointed, “there’s a private area behind that veil. You can shower or soak in peace.”
A few teens nodded gratefully and slipped past the curtain. The rest? Well. It was pure anarchy.
Squealing. Splashing. Soap flying. Giggles echoing off the tiles.
One tiny boy shrieked, “THE DUCK IS TALKING TO ME!”
“Tell him I said hi!” I shouted back.
Taya was helping two girls with a stubborn braid while Amaris tried to keep a toddler from eating the bath crystals. I crouched next to one of the youngest, a little girl with bright white hair and scales dusting her cheeks.
“Need help, sweetheart?”
She nodded shyly. I gently unbuttoned the back of her little tunic and helped her into the warm tub.
“It smells like peaches,” she whispered.
“Peach magic,” I said, winking. “Only the best for my warriors.”
Her smile nearly shattered me.
Eventually, the chaos dimmed. The tubs drained themselves, the soap creatures vanished with kisses and sparkles, and we handed out enchanted robes that dried as they warmed. Clean, cozy, giggly children clung to their new blankets and plushies.
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Chapter 185
“Dinner?” I said casually, and the stampede damn near killed me.
Dining Hall
Moments Later
The main banquet hall was glowing with enchanted lanterns and a feast so big it made my stomach growl on sight. There were roasted meats, fluffy bread, glazed vegetables, fruit platters, pies, cookies, and pitchers of honeyed tea and fresh juice.
“Oh my gods,” Amaris whispered. “I’m about to fight a child for the sweet rolls.”
“Get in line,” Bram muttered behind her.
Daxon barked out a laugh. “Let the kids eat first, you goddamn gremlins.”
They did. And they devoured it. Little hands grabbed food like it might disappear again. I didn’t blame them. Bram cut meat for two tiny kids next to him, Vaelrix poured juice with surprising gentleness, and Lachlan sat with four kids telling some wild tale about a sea monster that farted fire. His Scottish brogue made them roar with laughter.
“I’m no‘ sayin‘ it burned the sails off the ship… but we all went swimmin‘ real fast after that one, aye?”
One of the boys choked on his bread from laughing too hard.
Lyssira purred inside me. “This is wonder. This is hope, Elowen. The Goddess is pleased. We are on the right path little moon. What we do here is bringing life to so many people.”
After bellies were stuffed, eyelids began to droop and yawn after yawn rippled down the tables. We stood up, and one by one, the children followed. Some clung to their new guardians, others grabbed hands with each other.
My heart swelled. We walked them back through the glowing halls to the west wing, past the bathhouse, past the playrooms, to the enchanted doors.
“Alright, bedtime,” I said, kneeling to look at them all. “Anyone tries sneaking snacks under their pillow will have to deal with the Crumb Goblin.”
“The what?” a girl asked.
“It eats crumbs and feet,” Taya added, her eyes wide.
Gasps. Horrified joy. Perfect. One by one, the kids were tucked in. Some wanted stories. Some just wanted arms wrapped around them. I kissed more little foreheads than I could count.
“Goodnight, brave heart,” I whispered to one. “You’re safe now.”
Daxon helped a half shifter boy into bed, pulling the covers to his chin. “You drool, I’m callin‘ the Goblin,” he said softly.
Bram tucked three littles into a massive bunk bed. “Don’t fart in here. It’s a small room.”
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Chapter 185
“You farted first!” one squealed,
“I absolutely did not!” He sputtered.
“You did,” I added snarkily. We laughed. We whispered. We comforted. And eventually there was silence. Sixty two children, warm and fed, safe in a dragon castle.
Lyssira exhaled deeply inside me. “One step down, El. One battle won.This was so much more than a fucking victory.”
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