The room falls into a charged silence as Maya and Jackson stare at each other, the air between them thick with unspoken words.
Maya can feel the bond humming beneath her skin, more insistent than usual, making her acutely aware of his presence.
Jackson's eyes, those impossibly bright eyes that seem to hold centuries of secrets, don't waver from her face.
"Story time! Story time!" Aiden's voice breaks through the tension, followed quickly by his siblings' eager chants.
"We want the dragon story!"
"No, the fairy one!" Rose protests, her small face scrunching up in annoyance.
"Pirates!" Eli contributes, bouncing on his bed with enough force to make the expensive wooden frame creak.
Maya clears her throat and looks away from Jackson, grateful for the interruption. "All right, all rig
