Page 25 of Postpartum Spells & Infant Hells

“I like Nina’s idea. We need to decide the big things as a family. That only works if we have an honest vote,” I clarified.

Aidon moved first. He crouched beside me and covered my hands with his. “As long as we explore every option for diverting the cost, you have my vote,” he announced. “Those children asked for help. They didn't demand it.” What he didn’t say was that he would be shouldering the cost right along with me. Part of being mated meant we could share the burden of things like that.

Mom shook her head. “I don't like it. It’s too dangerous. I might change my mind when we have more information, but not as it stands.”

Nana rubbed Thaniel's back. “I’m reserving my vote. But I know hard choices don't disappear when ignored.”

Stella popped a bite of brownie into her mouth. “Frightened families need something better than panic. We’re in a position to do something to help. It’s what we’ve done since getting our magic. We can’t turn away now. But we have to be smart about it.”

Tarja wrapped her tail around her paws. “You have my vote. I’ll be there to support you the entire time. The thresholds are becoming crowded, and familiars understand thresholds better than witches.”

Relief moved through the room. It was fragile but real. Then Nina stepped forward. “I want a role in the ritual,” she declared.

“No,” I denied immediately.

“You didn't even let me finish,” Nina challenged.

“You're seventeen! And just starting your magical education. You’re a decade behind witches your age in terms of standard knowledge. You’re catching up fast, but you have a long way to go.”

“You forget I'm a Pleiades like you,” Nina countered. “Or I will be. My power is the closest match to yours in this house. If the bridge needs an anchor, I'll be useful. If this is safe to do, you should have no problem with me helping.”

She had me there, and she knew it. “None of that means I'll use you.”

“Why?” Nina pressed.

“Because you're my daughter,” I answered. “And I will not risk your ability to have children one day. You might not want them, but you should have that choice.”

Nina laughed once. “That's exactly the problem. You keep acting like family means I only get protected,” Nina continued. “That isn’t how family works. Those are my siblings. This is my home. Whatever happens next already includes me. You taught me that power means responsibility. And now you're angry because I listened.”

I turned toward Aidon, expecting support. Instead, he looked at Nina. Then at me. “Nina is in,” Aidon declared. “But we aren’t doing anything until we have a very clear picture.”

“You don't get to overrule me,” I rebuked.

“I'm not overruling you,” Aidon answered. “I'm acknowledging reality.” He shifted Nyssa higher against his shoulder before continuing. “Our daughter strengthened an echo child with a touch. If this ritual requires someone close to your power, Nina will be able to make a difference.”

Nina looked relieved. The expression hurt more than I wanted to admit. Aidon softened his voice. “I love her like she’s my own. We will protect her and limit her role once we have a plan. And we will stop if anything feels wrong.”

I looked at Nina and saw determination wrapped around fear. “You're not allowed to be brave in stupid ways,” I warned.

A snarky smile crossed her face. “You trained me poorly, then.”

“Smartass,” I muttered before pulling her into a hug.

She hugged me back hard enough to leave bruises, and I let her. By evening, the house had shifted into preparation. Stella worked phones. Mom and Nana buried themselves in research. Tarja vanished to meet other familiars in Stuleros. Aidon spent the day helping with the babies and checking the wards.

When everyone finally had a task, I slipped into the nursery alone. The triplets slept peacefully. Thaniel's fists rested beside his cheeks. Melaina dreamed quietly. Nyssa lay on her back with one hand open.

I rested both hands on her crib. “You're brave just like your sister,” I whispered softly.

Her shadow rose from beneath the blanket and drifted slowly across the space between us. The touch against my skin felt cool, careful, and deliberate. It curled around my wrist and squeezed before withdrawing into her sleeping body. I remained there for a long time, watching her sleep and listening to the quiet hum of the house around us. The echo children had come asking for help, but standing there in the darkness, I couldn't shake the feeling that they might never have been speaking to me at all.

CHAPTER 10

Ididn't let myself linger in the nursery, much as part of me wanted to. Stella and I still had to call Elena. She absolutely should have tracked down Elena’s phone number by now. Standing around cooing wasn't going to make it happen any faster. I scooped Melaina against my hip, her tiny fist knotting into my shirt. Pausing, I tried to work out the logistics of hauling all of them down the stairs without dropping a single precious bundle.

"Need help?" Mom offered, appearing in the doorway with that knowing arch to her brow.

I nodded so fast my neck nearly cricked, and the breath rushed out of me in pure relief. "Yes, please," I admitted, shifting Melaina higher.