22
" Are you afraid of me, Kalea?” Arms akimbo, she widened her stance to eye him like a tough little mouse. “Am I supposed to be?” “No. Are you?” She twisted up her mouth and studied him carefully. “You look very strange. Are your eyes supposed to glow red like that?” “They are.” “And your teeth? Are they supposed to be so long and sharp?” “I’m Andarion. We all have those teeth.” “Dancer…” Fain said in warning. “We’ve got company. We need to go. Fast.” He held his hand up to his brother before he turned back to the girl. “I’m your father, Kalea, and I’ve come to take you home.” All the defiant fire went out of her as her jaw dropped. Her lips quivered. “I really have a daddy?” He nodded. Tears filled her eyes, making them glisten. “You definitely have a father. And both your mother and I love you very much.” “I have a mommy, too?” she breathed in disbelief. “Yes.” Tears rolled down her cheeks. “I hate this place, Daddy. Please take me home.” She threw herself into his arms. Closing his eyes, Hauk held her close to his chest. While he loved and adored every child his friends had, it was nothing compared to what went through him as those little arms encircled his neck and she placed her head on his shoulder. Not even what he felt for Darice compared to this. She’s my little girl. All he wanted was to hold on to her forever. But "
― Sherrilyn Kenyon , Born of Fury (The League: Nemesis Rising #6)
26
" Darice stepped forward like a respectful guard. “Do you need me to go with you, Sumi?” She hugged him. “I’ll be fine, sweetie. Thank you for offering, though. It means a lot to me to have such a fierce and noble protector.” When she started to release him, he held on to her. “Kimi asyado.” She glanced to Thia for the translation, but it was Fain who explained it. “He says that he loves you tremendously.” Sumi tightened her arms around him. “I love you, too, baby.” She placed a kiss on his cheek. When she pulled back, she saw the tears in his eyes. “I’m an adult male now, Sumi. Not a baby.” “Yes, you are, Darice. And you’re a strong, beautiful male. You honor your ancestors and all of Andaria.” Darice smiled happily. “Damn,” Darling breathed as he joined them. “Whatever she has, we need to bottle it in droves.” Nykyrian scowled at him. “What are you talking about?” “First Hauk, now Darice. I’ve never seen anyone tame so many rowdy Andarions with nothing more than a smile. Just think, if we had that, we could rule them all.” Nykyrian pinned him with a wry stare. “I already rule them all.” “Oh yeah, there is that.” Syn "
― Sherrilyn Kenyon , Born of Fury (The League: Nemesis Rising #6)