Cipher (Demonica Underworld #8) - Larissa Ione Page 0,41

Sanctum anyway.”

“You sure?” At Lilliana’s nod, Cara continued. “How are things going with Azagoth? I’ve been dying to know what he did when he saw you.”

“I thought he’d be angry,” Lilliana said. “But he understood why I left and why I didn’t tell him I was pregnant.”

That wasn’t entirely the truth, since they hadn’t talked about it yet. Azagoth hadn’t brought it up, but he’d also been really busy. The talk was coming, and she knew it.

“So what was his reaction when he first saw you?”

Lilliana’s cheeks burned. “He was, um, shocked...”

“And then..?”

“And then he flew me up to the balcony and tore my clothes off.”

“He did not!” Cara laughed. “Wow. That sounds deliciously scandalous and totally like something Ares would do after not seeing me for nine months. How does he feel about the baby?”

Lilliana heard the thud of footsteps behind her and knew it was Azagoth. Her bodyguard stationed outside the door would never have allowed anyone else inside. A heartbeat later, Azagoth’s deep voice echoed through the room.

“I can’t wait for our son or daughter to arrive,” he said, as his hands came down on Lilliana’s shoulders.

She reached up and laid her hand over his. He’d been so affectionate and attentive since she’d been back. Even better, he’d been open in a way he hadn’t been even before his emotions had gone out of control.

“Well,” Cara said, “I’ll let you two spend some time together.” She wrinkled her nose. “I think someone needs a diaper change anyway.” She glanced at Azagoth and laughed. “I just pictured the big bad Grim Reaper changing a nappy. That’ll keep me in a good mood for the rest of the week.” She waved. “Talk to you later!”

After the screen went dark, Lilliana spun in her chair to face Azagoth. He looked so handsome in casual clothes, his black jeans, charcoal Henley, and combat boots giving him a relaxed air that no one would mistake for anything less than lethal danger.

“This was a nice surprise,” she said. “To what do I owe this visit?”

“It was time for a break and I wanted to see you.” His deep emerald eyes grew serious. “I think it’s time to talk.”

Oh. She hadn’t been looking forward to this. At all. “You want to know why I didn’t tell you I was pregnant.”

He sank down on the chaise lounge she used for reading, his legs spread, his forearms resting on his knees. “I know why you left, but I don’t know why you kept this from me.”

She fidgeted in her seat as she thought about what to say. It was weird; every day while she was in Greece she’d prepared for what she’d say to him. Went over and over it in her head. And now she was drawing a blank.

“I guess...” She inhaled, bracing herself. “I guess at first it was just too soon. I wanted you to sort out your issues without having anything else to think about. So I decided to tell you when I started showing, but every time I talked to you, I just..uldn’t. You were so worried about all your children. So many were in danger, and then you said we were never going to have one together...I got nervous.”

He sat in silence for a long moment. “I remember that,” he said quietly. “Maddox and Emerico were being assholes, and then Meera was killed.” His voice went low, taking on a smoky tone. “It was a bad day.” He reached over and took her hand. “But I was wrong. There is nothing I want more than you and our child in my life, and I swear to you, I will do everything within my power to make sure you’re both safe.”

“I know,” she said. “And I know someone murdered one of your young sons inside Sheoul-gra, and you’re freaked out. But is the bodyguard really necessary? You said yourself that the murderer had to be a fallen angel, and you kicked all of them out.”

The only fallen angels who remained were his trusted assistants and their mates. A handful of Unfallen remained as well, but again, they were the ones who had been with him for years as they tried to work their way back into Heaven, and that wouldn’t happen if they were killing his children.

“I won’t take any chances with you.” His words were clipped, forceful, and she knew arguing was pointless. She wasn’t going to win this battle, and ultimately, having a shadow wasn’t too annoying.

“Okay.” Resolved to