Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 80563 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 403(@200wpm)___ 322(@250wpm)___ 269(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80563 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 403(@200wpm)___ 322(@250wpm)___ 269(@300wpm)
And by that, I’d happily settle with a research session about saving the world or making potions strong enough to blow up a small building. Anything that doesn’t require defensive magic or becoming out of breath from running from demons or angels.
“How much do you know about Egyptian mythology?” Lucas asks.
“I remember a bit from school, but I’m kind of getting a first hand lesson here,” I try to joke, giving him a half smile. “I’m kind of scared to ask why you’re asking.”
“It was written centuries ago,” he starts. “And times change, of course. Though I can’t help but wonder about somethingClick here to enter text..”
“What thing?”
“If Osiris wants to join forces traditionally, with your hand in marriage, what happened to Isis?”
“Isis?”
Lucas nods. “His wife.”
Chapter
Ten
“He’s fucking married?”
Lucas’s lips turn into a smirk. “Why are you acting so surprised?”
“Because he basically proposed to me.”
I can tell Lucas is trying not to laugh at me right now. “So are you,” he says in a level tone. “And you didn’t think that was an issue.”
“Yeah, because I don’t want to marryClick here to enter text. him like that. I’m married to you because I love you.”
“And you were going to marry him because…”
“Because I was desperate,” I say through clenched teeth. “You’re having fun with this, aren’t you?”
“Of course not. This isn’t a fun situation. Though I am questioning your acceptance of my proposal since you seemClick here to enter text. to accept them pretty easily.”
I cock an eyebrow. “Hilarious.”
“Call me a comedian.”
Deciding against making a joke about leveling up each time—from a poltergeist to a vampire to the God of the Underworld—I just shake my head. “He is holding Uriel for us until we can figure something out.” I carefully move Juliet to the other side and roll my neck. “Which we will.”
“We will. And we will figure it out in a way that doesn’t involve my wife marrying someone else.”
There is anger beneath his humor, and I know it’s taking everything he has not to let it come out. Vampires are jealous and possessive by nature, and if I wasn’t hanging onto my sanity by it’s last fucking rope, Lucas would be ripping into me right now. And fuck, I love him so much for having that sort of self control for my benefit.
“You know I love you,” I start but he interrupts me with a kiss.
“I do.” He rests his forehead against mine and I nod, silently agreeing with him to let this go for now. We sit in silence together, both gazing down at our daughter, until she’s done nursing. Lucas takes her so I can shower and get dressed.
They’re both downstairs when I get out. Grabbing my phone, I see that I have a handful of missed texts and a call from Abby. I can’t remember the last time I talked to my sister. It was recently, right? The last forty-eight hours have felt like a week in itself. I call her as I go downstairs, stomach grumbling when I smell French toast and coffee. Thank you, Kristy.
“Hey, Cal!” Abby answers. “How are you?”
“Good, considering that I’m not currently in the Underworld, being held hostage by demons, or facing certain death by the hands of my fanatic uncle.”
“I don’t know what to say to that.”
“I don’t either,” I laugh. “How are you?”
“Well, I guess I can say considering the most annoying thing in my life is my mother in law buying Penny too many pink dresses, I’m good.”
“Pink? That girl’s signature color is totally a dark purple.”
“Right?” Abby says. “Anyway, it’s sunny and is supposed to be warm today so I wanted to see if you were free.”
“Technically, but it’s still TBD.”
“Is everything okay?”
It’s far from it, but I’m not going to tell Abby. Not over the phone at least. Really, there’s no need to scare her, but it’s hard enough keeping things straight when I’m telling the truth. Withholding the truth inevitably means twisting something and I’m going to end up fessing up one way or another. Being honest has been shockingly freeing.
“Are things ever okay?” I reply, answering her question with a question.
“Hah. Not when you put it that way? Well, I was thinking about getting lunch and taking Penny to the Children’s Museum. I know Juliet can’t participate in anything, but I figured you could use an excuse to dress up and get out of the house. God knows I did when Penny was that little.”
Putting on a black dress and my favorite combat boots and disappearing into the city does sound nice. I could have a few hours with my sister where we could complain about motherhood and bond over the nitty-gritty moments. She can tell me her horror stories from Penny’s newborn days and things can feel at least a little okay for a bit.