Unfortunately, he was right. "Well, when you weren't around after you unlocked my memories, I missed you."
"I'll take it." He stepped back and took my face in his hands, cupping my cheeks. "I will miss you too. Don't worry about me, I don't think I'm going to be in a lot of danger, okay?"
He couldn't know that. "Witches can be unpredictable. I wish I could go with you."
"Hell." He chuckled at his use of the word. "I wish you could, too. But this is the situation we're in and we'll figure it out like we always do, okay?"
I nodded and smiled up at him. "Go. Find us a witch."
"Yes, ma'am." With a cheeky salute, he disappeared.
"I should go soon," Michael said behind me.
I didn't know how long he'd been standing there, but I didn't mind.
"But I'm reluctant to leave you."
He worried about me more than anyone else. The world knew the Archangel Michael as the warrior, the general. I knew him as my protector and confidante.
Luc stuck his head in the living room. "I need air. I feel like I'm suffocating in this body. I'm going to take Jellybean for a walk."
He looked from me to Michael and nodded without waiting for our response. The back door clicked closed a few minutes later.
Oh, Lucifer. He'd been my first love, and so passionate. That was what had hurt most over the last few hundred years. We'd never been the sweet, affectionate couple. Lucifer and I were fire and ice. Passion, flames, rebellion.
He'd become cold, and the appearance of Lucian had changed him. Now, to see if he remained aloof or regained his passion, his fervor and drive.
Michael walked into the living room with a hand out. I took it gladly. Part of me wanted him to rush off to begin his work to find Ariel, but I'd meant what I told Gabe. I'd missed them while they were gone.
When my hands touched his arm, I realized he still wore Luc's old pajamas. Gabe had left in them. He'd have to stop at his home in Elysium, or ours in purgatory. He could conjure clothes if he didn't want to take the time to go change.
"Come upstairs," I said. "I'll find you something more appropriate to wear."
Michael chuckled, but took my hand and let me lead him to my bedroom. I walked into the closet and came out with one of Lucian's suits that might be broad enough in the shoulders for Michael.
He stripped immediately, slipping the pajama pants down.
"Michael," I whispered, but the look in his eyes stopped me.
"I'll be back as fast as I can." One quick press of his lips to my cheek, then he grabbed the suit and walked into the bathroom.
By the time I got the dirty clothes in the hamper, I knew he was gone. The bathroom was silent.
After putting on another pair of pajamas myself—what was the point of dressing, after all—I returned to the kitchen to clean up our lunch. Lucifer came in as I started the dishwasher a few minutes later. Jellybean bounded into the room and nudged my hands until I stopped and told him what a good boy he was. After a few pets, he was happy and wandered into the house.
"I don't mean to be cold." Lucifer hung the leash on the hook by the back door and turned to me. "Or angry. My only child is missing, and I can't do anything. Nothing. I've never been powerless, ever in my life. And when it really counts, when it matters most, I can do nothing."
His shoulders slumped. "And my wife, my mate, is in more pain than I've ever felt from her, ever. And again, I'm powerless to fix it. I have to wait on Gabriel and Michael to save the day while I walk the dog."
My heart broke for my husband. My mate. Lucifer, the fire of my heart. He was never helpless. Never morose. "I'm sorry," I whispered. "For my part in this."
He shook his head. "It's not your fault. You could be right. She could be pure human and nothing more. But I have Lucian's memories. I love her as much as he did. He was so excited for her birth, to be a dad. I think that, he had my emotions. Because I would've been thrilled."
My jaw dropped. "Really? You've never said that."
He walked forward getting close, but it was awkward. Did we hug? Comfort each other? In some ways, we felt like strangers. "I knew you couldn't have children, and anyone with half a heart could tell how much you wanted them. What was I to do, add to your pain with my own?"
"Oh, Luc." I threw my arms around his neck, standing on tiptoe to press my body against his. I wanted to comfort him, thank him for trying to protect me.
