Falling Ashes (49 page)

‘Since when are you such a know-it-all?’ said Jack, swinging the boy from side to side.

Lance was laughing too hard to answer.

Placing the child back on his feet, and ruffling his hair, Jack said, ‘Hey, why don’t you go and see what the Vulmessians are up to, huh?’

‘Can I fly Willow?’ Lance asked at once.

‘Absolutely not,’ said Jack. ‘You are far too small.’

‘But R
æven is allowed to fly Rue!’ he retorted.

‘That’s because I’m older than you,’ said R
æven, poking her tongue out. She jumped up from the sofa. ‘I’ll race you to the stables!’

And with that, she bolted through the door, laughing.

‘No fair!’ Lance yelled after her. ‘You got a head start!’ He quickly followed her, not wanting to be left behind.

Once they were out of earshot, Jack turned to me, a pained expression on his face.

‘What?’ I said, smirking.

‘That boy,’ he said, waggling his finger at me. ‘Is far too much like you.’

I laughed. ‘Me? What makes you say that?’

‘His temper, stubbornness, short attention span-’ Jack checked the things off on his fingers.

‘All right, all right,’ I said, punching him playfully. ‘But what about Ræven, huh?’

‘A delightful child,’ smiled Jack. ‘Who clearly takes after her father.’

I poked Jack in the chest. ‘They’re
both
delightful,’ I said.

Jack wrapped his arms around my waist and kissed my forehead. ‘They’re okay, I suppose,’ he joked.

I smiled and nuzzled my face into the crook of his neck, inhaling deeply.

Honestly, I couldn’t be happier. I had an amazing husband, and two beautiful children; one human, and one Mage.

And they were equal, not only in my eyes, but also in the eyes of society.