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Lena frowns. “Does that mean it’s permanent, though?”
To test it out, I close my eyes and try to dismiss the wings, like dismissing a conjured item. When I open my eyes and flex my back muscles, they flap again. “Well, they don’t seem to be going anywhere right now. Maybe once the baby’s born they’ll disappear?”
Do you want them to?
Az surprises me by speaking directly to my mind. Usually, I have to initiate telepathic contact for Him to communicate that way.What do You mean?
He strokes my cheek with a wistful expression on His face.I kind of like that you’re more similar to me now. It’s like we’re more connected.
Aw, that’s so sweet!
Aloud, I address the remaining crowd. “Who cares if the wings are permanent? They’re there, and that’s good enough for me. If they stay or if they don’t, either way I’ll be happy.” I glance at Lena, raising a brow in challenge. “Does that bother you?”
She sighs. “This whole damn thing bothers me. I already felt like I was losing my little sister, and now look at you! All grown up with your own wings and wicked deadly aura and shit.” She takes some of the sting off her words with a wink and a grin. “Mom and Dad would be proud, kid.”
“Just one thing would make this moment perfect,” Az says, and to my surprise, He gets down on His knees in front of me, donning His human glamour in the process. My breath catches in my throat as I realize what’s happening, and Cherry gives a little squeal of delight, hugging her three mates.
“Az …” I lose all track of what I was going to say when He places a hand on either side of my swollen abdomen and rests His forehead on my belly button.
“Calliope … Mother of My only Child born of love … If it would please you, I would make you My Wife. We can live on Earth if you like. I will get a human job, keep my human form, relinquish all my claims in Hell, all for you.”
Reaching down, I put a finger under His chin and lift it until He’s looking me in the eye. “I’ll marry You, but only on one condition.”
“Anything your heart desires, My Goddess.”
I spare a quick glance as Lena, who just nods her approval.Go ahead, sis. Tell Him, she says in my mind.
After taking a deep, centering breath, I give Az my ultimatum.
“We stay in Hell. I want to stay with You here, in the home we’ve made together. Our little room behind the throne—just, y’know, maybe conjure up a nursery while we’re at it.” I give Him a little wink, and His full lips spread in a wide grin. He surges to His feet, lifting me up as He goes, until I’m a good foot off the ground. I giggle and shriek, grabbing His burly forearms and holding on for dear life, realizing a second later that I don’t need to worry; I have wings, after all!
Our friends burst out in cheers, giving us a round of applause and congratulating us on the pending nuptials. Hugs get passed around like candy, and I take full advantage of the opportunity to embrace friends I haven’t hugged in far too long.
I’ve missed everyone, but I wasn’t just blowing smoke when I said Hell is home now. I can’t imagine living anywhere else, with anyone else. Az is as much my home as the dorm room He conjured for me all those months ago. Wherever He is, that’s where I belong. Much as I’ll miss my friends and my sister, I can’t go back to living on Earth. Not when this is where He belongs, too.
Molli gasps and grabs Lena’s arm. “You know what this means?”
Lena gives her a suspicious look. “What?”
“A combination bridal and baby shower!”
My sister groans. “Oh, no!”
Cherry walks up and pokes Lena in the side. “And birthday party. Don’t think we forgot. Just becauseyouhate parties is no reason to deprive your sister of the ones she’s earned. We’ll have a big blowout at Bob’s. I bet Holden and I could sweet talk Bob into closing the bar to the public for one night. We’ll raise Hell in Nowhere one last time before Callie moves downstairs permanently.” She pauses. “Well, we won’tliterallyraise Hell.”
A party at a bar? “Y’all are too nice,” I say, embarrassed. All that, for me?
“Nonsense!” Cherry and Molli rush up to me for another hug. Cherry kisses my cheek. “Honey, we love you. We want you to be happy, and we hate that we missed your birthday. I got busy with twin toddlers, and I’m sure Molli feels like shit for missing it, too.”
I shrug one shoulder and duck my head. “It’s okay. It’s not like there was a party to miss.”
Lena joins the group hug with tears in her eyes. “All right, all right! Just say it: I’m a big jerk. I should’ve organized a party, even though I loathe the things.”
Cherry nudges her side again. “Better late than never.”
A strange giddy sensation washes over me as I realize that this is really happening: I’m really getting married. Barely eighteen, and I found the love of my life in Hell, of all places.
The baby kicks in response to my excitement, and I put a hand over my bruised stomach to calm her. I realize she’ll need a name at some point, and I make a mental note to work on that asap.
