Vas was quiet as we walked to his suite. I waited until we were out of earshot and then sat on the bed, watching as he prowled the room.
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah.”
I waited. He sighed.
“I am. It’s just…”
“Hard. Seeing your uncle like that.”
“Yeah. Danica warned me. Asked if I still wanted to come. But I needed to pay my respects. To everyone. Samael talked to the ferryman after the battle.”
I gaped at that. “The ferryman exists?”
He smiled. “Yeah. And he doesn’t usually pass on messages. This time, though, he made an exception.”
“What did he say?”
“Ag told Samael to tell me to allow me my vengeance, but not to allow the rage in my blood to make me risk everything. I ignored Samael when he relayed that part of the message. Until I realized I was willing to risk anything but you. Never you.”
I got to my feet and walked toward him. He watched me approach, his dreamy eyes sad but free from the burning rage I’d seen so often—even after Daimonion was dead.
“I have a surprise for you.”
He gave me a wary look, and I almost laughed. “It’s a good surprise. At least, I hope it is.”
“Come on, Mere. You’re killing me.”
I smiled at him. “I’m pregnant.”
Stunned joy.
My eyes filled as he raised his hand to my cheek. “But…how?”
“I have no idea. My information was that it usually takes a few years of trying. Paranormals aren’t exactly known for being the most fertile. But my period is like clockwork. When it was a few days late I took a test, and one of the witches… well she used her power to confirm it.”
He gave me a slow grin. “My swimmers are obviously exceptional.”
I rolled my eyes, and his grin widened as he swept me up in his arms, swinging me around. “Parents. We’re going to be parents, Mere.”
I laughed as the room whirled around me. Then he placed me on my feet and dropped to his knees, lifting my T-shirt so he could press his lips to my belly.
“I’m going to make sure you have the most incredible life,” he said to my stomach. “You already lucked out by choosing Mere as your mom.”
Tears rolled down my cheeks. Hormones, I swear. Vas’s grin turned shaky. “I wish…”
“I know.”
He wished Ag were here. He wished our kid would have grandparents. He wished Dean could be an uncle to our children, the way Vas had been for his. So much loss over the past seven decades. And yet Vas’s heart was still so big, I knew he’d be an incredible father.
“We’ll create our own family. You and me. And our friends. This baby will be so spoiled.” I grinned. “Can you imagine Auntie Danica? Samael will probably insist on so much security, our kids will have to learn to be sneaky. And when they do, Kyla will track them down.”
Vas laughed, getting to his feet. “Evie will probably be the one teaching them how to get into trouble. I can’t wait to have this next adventure with you.”
His gaze dropped to my mouth, and I held up one hand. “Uh-uh. I have another surprise for you.”
Curiosity flickered in those dreamy eyes, and then they sharpened as he tried to figure out what I was up to. “What kind of surprise?”
