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Put like that, she has a point. “One more thing. You said ‘soon’... that means you’re going to be coming back, right?”
“Yup. Every couple of cycles until I’m ready to pop,” she confirms. “Me and Mal, we’re gonna stick it out in the human world for a little longer, but when this little guy or gal comes, we’re thinking about having a long vacation here in Sombra.” She snorts. “Can you imagine going into labor into a human hospital? Nah. Azazel’s gonna help me through it.”
That’s just what I was hoping to hear. The idea that I’m pregnant—while exciting—isn’t as daunting when I know I’m not going to be the only human woman with a demon baby.
I can’t go back home. For so many reasons—not the least of all that Loki would lose his shit again if I even suggested a quick pop into the human world—it’s better if I go all in on my life in Sombra.
But if Shannon has no problem coming and going…
“Great. But if I could ask you a favor?”
Her eyes twinkle. “Hey, you gave me your store. Do you know how much I’d rather sell books than push paper products for a corporation? I’m a kickass salesperson but I think it’s time to be my own boss. At least until the baby’s here. Shoot, Kennedy. Whatever favor you want, it’s yours.”
In that case…
“When you come back, do you think you could bring me my kindle?”
Shannon blinks. “You mean your e-reader?”
That’s right. I nod just a touch sheepishly. “I miss my books.”
“Girl, you got it. And I’m so glad you said that. I’m already thinking about all the things I’m gonna bring when we come back, and I would’ve totally blanked on mine. I’ll even do you one better and make sure all the books you have are on the device.” She grins. “We can have our own Sombra book club.”
I launch myself at the blonde, wrapping my arms around her. “Thank you, Shannon.”
She squeezes me back. “Don’t mention it. Us mates have got to stick together. I’m just glad you’re happy.”
Releasing her, I immediately go right over to my demon mate. Ducking under his arm, letting it settle possessively over my shoulder and I lean into Loki, I smile.
Sending a pulse of pure love down to my mate, I snuggle up next to him. “I am,” I promise. “I really am.”
EPILOGUE
KENNEDY
Thanks to Loki’s essence, I know enough about the formidable Duke Haures that the ruler of Sombra wasn’t going to be too happy when his soldier and his mage went back without their prisoner.
I stand by what I said. If everyone was worried that Loki was going to go fully demonic again, he proved them all wrong. Now, I’m not gonna lie and say that he didn’t getclose—and I’m not sure Shannon’s ever going to really forgive him for using his horns against her mate even if Mal was a good sport about it—but emotions were high all around.
I just found out I was pregnant, Loki was afraid—and for good reason, too—that Shannon’s arrival in Nuit meant it was time for me to leave, and the other bonded couple were just trying to help.
Apollyon and Lilith, too. After Shannon and Mal took a portal back to Jericho, I grabbed Loki by the hand and dragged my mate home with me before anyone else could try to come between us. We had a lot to talk about together, and still bristling from the fear he had lost me, Loki had something to prove to me in bed, but when we eventually left our house, Apollyon invited us to dinner with him and his mate.
Shannon was right. Lilith didn’t want to upset me with the rumors running rampant in Nuit. Like everyone else, she also knew about my bun in the oven, but didn’t say anything out of respect of our cultural differences. In Soleil, a woman didn’t celebrate until she gave birth. Assuming humans were the same, she was saving her congratulations for then. With this being mine and Loki’s offspring, she didn’t want me to hear how most of the other villagers were placing coin wagers on how long before his eyes go white again as the shadows take him over.
That pissed me off more than the miscommunication about me being pregnant did. So many of our so-called clansmen were happy to let him use his magic to help them while they were talking shit behind his back.
I can’t help it. I now understand why Shannon was so fiercely protective of her Malphas. Loki is a foot and a half taller than I am, he has four horns, and claws that would put a knife to shame… and I still feel like he needs me to stick up for him. If I have to go up on my tiptoes, grab him by his chin, kiss him in front of all of Nuit to show them that I’m not afraid before pointing at his purple eyes and resisting the urge to stick out my tongue at the villagers… and failing… damn right I will.
Beast or mage, male or monster, Loki is mine and if they don’t like it, I’ll go back to the shadows with him if I have to.
He’s my mate. I’ll go with him anywhere.
Including to Marvo when our presence is requested in the duke’s palace.
It might be a request, but the green-eyed soldier makes it clear that it’s one we can’t refuse. And that’s how, a few days after things have settled down in the village, Glaine appears with a summons to meet the duke.
Nuit reminds me of Hell. No getting around that. With the ash fields, the red sky, theheat…throw in a couple of flames, and it earns the distinction of being a demon village. The skulls on the edge of the shadows help sell the image, too.
