Free Immortal Awakening: Immortal Heart by Magen McMinimy

foolish enough in life to attempt to overthrow us. He was also the only one to make it as far as this castle. He has been with us long enough that I question his sanity, and I guarantee his desire for vengeance. He will try again, and while I have no doubt he will fail—miserably, in fact—I would feel better about putting him back where he belongs sooner rather than later.”
    Zarek sighed and moved back into the great room to take his seat. “Perhaps we should talk before we act.”
    “Perhaps,” Alistair agreed, taking a seat across from Zarek as Josiah moved to take another of four seats set around a black, marble table near the fireplace.
    ****
    “How are my girls?” Bain asked as he quietly entered the living area that connected his and Izzy’s room to Kyra’s.
    Izzy looked up from the sleeping girl in her lap to smile at him. “We’re good. She woke when I came to check on her and insisted on waiting for her daddy, so we put on a movie.”
    Bain looked to the television and arched a brow. “ Rise of the Guardians ? Huh?”
    Izzy chuckled. “I suggested Ratatouille, but she didn’t think it a good choice… Garcia was annoyed that we woke him in the first place, putting rats on the screen to scamper around after he had to move from the bed to the couch. Seemed like adding insult to injury.”
    Bain smiled as he sat next to Izzy. He pressed a quick kiss to her lips, and then placed one on Kyra’s forehead, before scratching under Garcia’s chin. Kyra loved Garcia and the fat tabby had come to follow her around all the time. Bain was not at all surprised he’d been curled up on Kyra’s bed before settling half on Izzy’s lap with Kyra’s small arms wrapped around his robust frame.
    “Well, they both seem quite content now.”
    Izzy nodded as she gently stroked Kyra’s curls. “You took a long time… how’d it go?”
    Bain blew out a deep breath. “We lost him at the border.”
    She squeezed his hand. “He had a head start… so what now?”
    “Kale’s headed to the dungeon to speak with Cree. I think he realized I needed to see my girls.”
    “Ah, the dungeon,” Izzy said with a forced smile. “What is he going to do with all of them? Is there any space even left down there?”
    Bain grunted. “There is still space. And I wish I knew what Cree planned to do with all of them.”
    “Do you think any of them are redeemable?”
    Bain shrugged. “Honestly, I don’t know. There is only one prisoner I know for sure about. And no, he is not.”
    Izzy shook her head. “Are you ever going to let it go? Zander helped us not all that long ago.”
    Bain narrowed his eyes. “After he nearly got you killed.”
    Izzy shrugged. “If not for him, I never would have met you and Uriah that night, and we wouldn’t be sitting here now.”
    Bain sighed and stood up. With another quick brush of his lips to hers, he lifted Kyra into his arms. “Don’t make me admit any gratitude towards that asshole. We were meant to be, sweetheart. I say we should be thankful to Makyle and forget about Zander.”
    Kyra lifted her head to look at Bain, her beautiful eyes hooded with sleep.
    “Asshole is a bad word, Daddy,” she murmured sleepily.
    Izzy held back a snicker but grinned at Bain with an arched brow.
    “You’re right, little one… that’s why you aren’t supposed to say it.”
    “Okay, Daddy,” she agreed, before laying her head on his shoulder and yawning. “Good night, Izzy. Love you.”
    Izzy stood and kissed her cheek. “I love you too, kiddo. We’ll see you for breakfast tomorrow.”
    “Okay. Banana pancakes—you promised.”
    Izzy laughed. “Banana pancakes sound perfect.”
    Bain made a face of disgust. “What have you done to her?” he whispered.
    Izzy grinned. “I have opened up the possibilities of breakfast.” She backed away from him, heading into their bedroom. With Kyra’s back to her and Bain’s gaze locked on her, she slowly lifted her shirt over her head and winked at him.