Chapter Thirty Four

Maximus breezed down the halls, nodding to the staff as he passed while none of his nerves showed on his face. They were adopting Damien. He'd never thought to try to have a family of his own, not after depriving so many of theirs in his younger years, but as he remembered the matching eyes pleading with him he knew he'd have to find a way to make this work.

Zelda seemed certain that he'd do a decent job, so he'd just have to live up to her expectations.

Stopping in front of Vlad's office door, he heard the slight hesitation before Vlad called for him to enter. He nearly ground to a halt in surprise at the sight that met him, picking his jaw up off the ground after a second.

The girl they'd rescued alongside Damien was now sitting at Vlad's feet, happily playing with what looked like a bear and toy soldiers, though he had no idea where she'd gotten the odd menagerie of toys from.

More importantly, she was leaned against Vlad's legs and he didn't seem to mind. When Maximus eventually met the emerald ringed copper gaze, he lifted a brow in surprise. Vlad merely sent him a sardonic look back, before saying with sarcasm all but dripping off each word. "I wouldn't say anything since I have a decent hunch as to why you're here."

Fair point, Maximus certainly hadn't seen himself in a father role even a few months ago so he had no right to be so surprised over Vlad taking it up as well. Though, as he briefly remembered a time that felt like another life, he knew that Vlad could be a decent father when he chose to be. He'd just never expected his oldest friend to take the plunge again after Vladimir's death and the destruction it'd brought him.

Shaking the thought to the side for now, he got to what he came here for. "True and if it's adopting Damien then you'd be correct."

Vlad was already rooting in his desk before he'd finished the sentence, handing over a stack of papers without a thought as he smirked. "I'm sure you never thought to see me in such a role again, though I'm sure you'll fit into it just fine with Zelda's aid."

Maximus nodded, taking the papers as he leafed through them absentmindedly. "You will too. From what I remember you handled Valdimir fine and this time you'll have Leila. I shudder to think of what she'd do to anyone who so much as breathed near any child of yours wrong."

The dry statement dragged a chuckle from Vlad as he glanced over to the girl trying her best to not look like she was shamelessly listening in. He and Leila hadn't told her about the adoption yet, though now that Maximus had announced his intent to adopt Damien they would probably do so soon.

As if in response to his thought, Leila came strutting in after a brief knock. "Hey, how's Zelda doing?"

The sly twist to her lips spoke what she actually meant and Maximus' expression shifted into an almost dreamy quality. "Last I checked she was teaching Damien to read with Harry Potter, both of them looking like two peas in a pod."

Her smile softened, happy to hear that her sister was settling in so well before shaking it off to focus on Vlad. "I finished with Gretchen and what she needed, want me to take Mira now?"

Maximus stayed back as he watched the exchange, understanding dawning as the little girl happily ran to Leila. That would explain why she was in here with Vlad…

Vlad hummed, "Whatever is easiest for you. She hasn't caused any disturbances and I have no meetings scheduled today. Though before you go we should probably discuss some things with her."

Leila didn't need him to go into detail about what that was, neither did Maximus who easily turned to leave. "And with that I'll leave you to it, if you need us you know where we are."

With that he left, headed back to Damien and Zelda with a slight spring to his step. This was just the first step in a very long process, but as he heard Mira's shouts of excitement behind him he chuckled. The castle was about to get a lot more lively, what with two children running around and causing mischief.

Moving back into his room where he heard quiet giggling from, he crossed the threshold and smiled. Zelda was overacting all the voices of the story, gesturing wildly as she read to Damien's delight.

Maximus walked up behind the couch they were resting on, leaning against it as both heads snapped up to greet him in delight though Damien's was tempered with nerves as well. Seeing the anxiety, he soothed that first by holding up the paperwork. "Once this is filled out it'll be started."

Damien relaxed, now happy to gush about the book they were reading. "Have you ever read this before? It's awesome! There are wizards and witches and three headed dogs and-."

His exuberance was cute as he rambled on occasionally pausing to be sure he was still listening. Maximus made sure to nod at the correct times as the boy stared up at him with adoring eyes. He had to get used to that, but as Damien raised his arms hesitantly and asked, "Can you come read too?" He knew that the adjustment wouldn't be too hard.

Settling next to Zelda who happily made room for him, choosing to lean against his side with Damien resting in both their laps now, he wrapped an arm loosely around his new family and questioned. "Where were you two at previously?"

The hours passed quickly, time sliding away as they all became engrossed in the book. It was only when an excited knock came that they paused, to Damien's disappointment.

Zelda kissed his head, soothing the pout easily as Maximus moved for the door. "No need to be sad, I can see us making this a normal thing."

He nodded, breaking into a beam when the door opened to show Mira bouncing on her toes with Leila behind her. Zelda took one look at the affectionate smile on her sister's face and chuckled, "You get pulled into those eyes too?"

She nodded easily, moving to the couch as the kids gushed to one another about being adopted. "Yup, though I didn't even think about adopting her until Vlad mentioned it. I never thought he'd agree so the thought of kids never even crossed my mind."

Zelda glanced at her in confusion, "Why wouldn't he agree?" From what she'd seen Vlad hadn't seemed the type to dislike children, though to be fair she hadn't seen him interact with them outside of Damien and Mira.

Leila's mouth pulled into a grimace as she contemplated how much to tell her sister, "Vlad…had a son. He doesn't like talking about him because he died, so don't bring it up. Alright?"

A hand covered her mouth as the new information sank in, "That's awful." Leila nodded, watching the kids gang up on Maximus to try to climb him like a jungle gym.

"Does that man never catch a break?" That pulled a snort from Leila, happy to leave the more painful mood behind.

"I've thought that more than once since I've met him and the answer seems to be no. Though lately we've been handling everything decently well. Later today his father figure will be coming in to put a spell of protection around Mira. I thought I'd stop by and ask if you'd want the same for Damien, Mencheres already said he could if it's what you want."

Zelda met Maximus' gaze who immediately nodded. "Sounds good to me, though I'm not sure what all a protection spell is."

Leila spent the next hour explaining the ins and outs of magic, from what little she knew, but by the time she finished Zelda was far more relaxed at the thought of Damien wandering around a castle.

"After my kidnapping I wasn't so sure about adopting Damien, but I couldn't say no to those eyes." That had been one of the few things to make Zelda hesitate before she'd brought it to Maximus, but hearing that such a spell existed certainly helped dispel that worry.

Leila nodded, "Yeah, that definitely isn't something we want a repeat of…with anyone."

Before they could continue, Vlad came in with a tall middle eastern man who had a blond woman attached to his arm. Immediately when the blond's eyes landed on the playing children she let out a quiet aww.

"You were right, she does look just like you two."

Mira froze, toeing the ground shyly as she glanced pleading at Leila for help. Leila didn't hesitate to move, patting her head gently before grinning at the blonde. "Yeah, I didn't even notice until it was pointed out to be but hey at least no one will ask questions when we're out and about right?"

The lady looked past Leila, before her eyes landed on me. Forcing back the urge to hide, I smiled. "Hi, I'm Zelda."

The briefest flicker of amusement passed before she nodded, "Kira, good to meet you. The man behind me is Mencheres, my husband." I noted that she didn't try to shake my hand. Had someone warned her about my not liking touch?

In answer Vlad shifted just the slightest bit, catching my attention as he nodded.

Thanks.

Another nod but before he could move to introduce the kids, Damien bolted to my side while eyeing them warily or more specifically he was eyeing Mencheres. Bending to whisper, I asked while knowing full well the others could hear me. "What's wrong? He's Vlad's father."

Idly I noticed the man puff up a bit from the title, making me want to smile until Damien's reply pulled a wince from me. "I don't know him, what if he's here to hurt you?"

Okay so we had some issues to take care of…

"Damien, I appreciate how protective you are but would Vlad let someone dangerous around you or Mira?"

His face scrunched up before he reluctantly shook his head, "No…" But he still didn't move from my side.

Sending Mencheres an apologetic look, he merely smiled. "He means no harm, there's nothing wrong with a boy being protective of the women around him. He'll be a fine warrior one day."

The thought of Damien fighting nearly sent my heart to my shoes in fear before I shook it off, what he chose to do was entirely up to him and there was no use freaking out over it now.

Instead I shifted my attention to Damien as he puffed up in pride at the compliment. Well, at least now he wouldn't glare at Vlad's father the entire time he was here. Progress.

Mencheres stepped forward, pulling my attention to him as he spoke. "The process to put the spell on the children should only take minutes, if you'd like to get started?"

Before he could make another move, Mira hid behind Leila and Damien stiffened. "Spell?"

Seeing the misstep, I rushed to reassure them. "A protection spell, it makes you harder to hurt."

Damien seemed pacified by that, but Mira clamped to Leila's leg and muttered. "Will it hurt?"

Mencheres tilted his head, "A bit, though it will fade within moments."

That really didn't soothe her any and as she started to inch backwards toward Vlad, I knew this wasn't going to be easy.

In a flash she'd run behind Vlad, eyes filling as she used his legs to hide. The man sighed, reaching back to gently tug her out. "Mira, I understand you're frightened but this is vital for us adopting you."

One of my brows hiked in intrigue as I glanced at Leila who nodded. Okay, apparently he wasn't lying. But when I thought about it, I guess it made sense that he'd only agree if she had etra layers of protection.

Mira visibly struggled with this information before deflating, "Kay…"

It was pitiful to watch as she became a quaking ball of skin and bones with each step Mencheres took near her. By the time he was in front of her she looked ready to bolt but to her credit she stayed perfectly still as Mencheres made a few hand motions in the air above her before gently touching her forehead.

Mira squirmed, her hatred of touching working against her as her lip wobbled treacherously. I could all but feel the protective instinct rolling off Leila right now and honestly I couldn't blame her. If it were Damien looking like that I'd probably react the same way.

When Mencheres pulled back a few minutes later, Mira finally allowed herself to run but instead of running to Vlad, like I expected, she ran to Leila.

Leila didn't miss a beat, perching her on her hip after a shared glance with Vlad. "Well, at least that's over with right?"

Mencheres gave a nod before looking to Damien, "Almost."

Instead of hiding, Damien all but ran forward to my surprise. Maximus came up behind me to mutter. "He doesn't want Mencheres near you."

Ah, that made sense in a weird way. We're really going to have to work on that in the future though. I couldn't avoid having others around me, no matter how nice it sounded…

Vlad nodded in response to my thoughts, the line of his shoulders tense as he eyed Mira. Apparently it wasn't only Leila who'd had difficulties seeing her so upset, not that it was surprising. If Vlad hadn't cared for the girl then he never would've agreed to adopt her.

I watched him move to Leila's side, briefly checking on Mira as Mencheres put the spell on Damien. The little girl hesitated before reaching for Vlad, who paused to look around the room before taking her.

They made quite the sight and with Leila on his other side I could easily see the resemblance between all three of them. Mira didn't waste a minute before cuddling into his shoulder, the sight making me want to coo before Damien all but vaulted into my lap. The momentum sent me sliding back a bit, startling me for just a minute until I gripped my wheels.

Maximus sent him a chiding glance, "Damien…"

The boy winced before apologizing under his breath. Patting his head, I chuckled. "Just try to remember next time."

Leila chose that moment to step forward, "I don't think we've formally introduced these two yet. The one currently trying to disappear into Zelda's lap is Damien and Mira's the one trying to meld with Vlad's shoulder."

Damien pulled back to wave, but Mira only glanced at them before burrowing back against Vlad. Considering she'd already dealt with more touch than she'd wanted to today I couldn't say I blamed her.

Vlad murmured something I couldn't hear but whatever it was it made her separate long enough to speak. "Hi…"

A slow smile curled Mencheres lips but he made no move to come closer. "Hello, hopefully I will get to know you more in the future. I never expected your new father to take up the role again, but I am glad that you found him. Nothing will hurt you with him and Leila near."

Mira pulled a bit more out of Vlad's shoulder at that, "Yes…Thank you, for the spell."

A blink was the only sign of surprise Mencheres showed before he nodded. "You're welcome. Now then." He turned to Vlad, "Our usual guest room I take it?"

At Vlad's nod, he left with Kira right behind him though she did pause to wave at the kids.

"They seem nice." Mari's voice made me jump, but I nodded.

"They do, but I think you could use a nap." She looked like she needed one. Her eyes were drooping from exhaustion. But instead of denying it as most kids do, she nodded.

Leaning her head back against Vlad's shoulder, she hummed. "Nap sounds good."

I hope you're ready because she'd already looking to be a daddy's girl.

Vlad shot me a look I wasn't sure how to decipher before grunting. "That's all well and good, but don't fall asleep on me. There's a perfectly good bed that is waiting for you."

A beat of silence followed as Mira's head tilted curiously but before she could ask, Vlad answered her question. "No, not the one in the room with the other children. Leila's old room will be turned into yours and Maximus offered his room for Damien's."

At that I turned to Maximus with confusion, but he merely shook his head with the motion for later.

Nodding, I refocused on Vlad as Mira relaxed against him. The sight was too cute and I only wished I had a camera. Leila must have felt the same because before I could blink she'd whipped out her phone and caught a snap. Vlad shot her an exasperated look but she only shrugged. "What? You don't expect me not to take pictures do you?"

He gave a sigh, "Only to your phone and my own. Nowhere else."

She nodded, grinning at the victory. "Of course, not like I have anyone else to send them too. Though I might show Mencheres whenever he's here."

Vlad sent her a baleful glower but said. "Of course you will..."

She sidled up to him, lightly nudging against his side. "Come on Vlad, he sees you as a son. He's going to want to see them too." At that Vlad eased up a bit, though he still grumbled.

"I didn't say you couldn't…"

They continued the argument as they walked out, Damien watching them with amusement before turning to address Maximus. "I'm staying here now?"

Shifting my focus to the taller blond, I waited for the answer.

I wasn't disappointed.

Maximus moved to stand by me, the briefest flash of discomfort painting his expression before solidifying into his poker face. "I was going to ask if you'd like to simply move into one room together, if you'd prefer we didn't then I can take one of the rooms farther down the hall since Damien will need to be around you more-."

I cut him off, tugging on his pants until he bent to my level. Pulling him into a kiss, I stroked his stubble and shook my head. "That won't be necessary, I definitely don't mind sharing a room with you. It'll make things a good bit easier actually."

Maximus relaxed, nodding as Damien began speeding around in excitement. "This is all mine? Really?"

At Maximus' nod, he whooped. "This is awesome!"

Leaning against Maximus, I sighed in content. I definitely hadn't seen this coming but as I watched Damien catapult into Maximus' middle I knew it was better than anything I could've thought up.