“She’s an instrument of Heaven, created by you for thatpurpose.”Mariella’s mouth twisted in distaste, as if she waspicturinglying with him in bed.“You waived all rights tofatherhood the moment you spilled your seed inside her mother.You’re lucky weallowed you to open Sheoul-gra to your adult offspring.There’s no way you’retaking control of the juveniles.”
Cold, seething anger congealed in his veins.He didnotlike to be told no.
“Send me a Council member,” he growled.“I’m done with you.”
Her chin tilted up in defiance, but her lower lip trembled.Good.More of her was going to be trembling if he didn’t get his way.
“Council members aren’t authorized to negotiate with you.”
“Send one!”he roared, his patience shredded.“Send onetoday.”
“I’ll see what I can do.”
Satisfied—for now—he released the angel.
But if he didn’t see a Memitim Council member soon, Heavenwas going to get a taste of his brand of hell.
Lilliana drained her wine glass as if an instructionmanual that would explain her mate was at the bottom.
One wasn’t.
“Was that weird?”Idess asked as she refilled her own glass.“Because I feel like that was weird.”
Lilliana sighed.“It was weird.I’m sorry, Idess.He’s beenmoody lately.”
“Is something going on?”
“I don’t know.”Lilliana smiled at Mace as he chased abutterfly.“He won’t talk to me about it.”
She’d tried on several occasions to get him to discusswhatever was making him grumpy, but he’d always either changed the subject ordistracted her...usually with sex.
“Is there anything I can do to help?”Idess asked.“I’m notthat close to him, but I could try talking to him.”
“I think you’re closer to him than any of his children,”Lilliana said.“But you know, I think that might be part of the issue.He’sbeen spending more time withall ofhis sons anddaughters.I’ve even heard him asking them about theirpasts.Maybe he’s been trying to get closer to them.”
Idess smiled.“He’s opened up so much since you came intohis life.”
“Lately it doesn’t feel thatway.”No, it felt like he was pulling away from her.“And I don’t understand.Thingsare going so well here.I thought he was happy.”
“I’m sure he is.”Idess covered Lilliana’s hand with hers.“Whatever is going on with him isn’t about you.”
“I hope you’re right.”But secretly, Lilliana wasn’t sosure.Shewascertain he’d been avoiding her, but why?A group ofMemitim walkedby,arms loaded with party supplies.The two males and one of the females gave her an awkward wave or a smile, butthe other two, a male and female, ignored her while waving to Idess.Lillianagot along with most of Azagoth’s offspring, but a handful despised her, orAzagoth, or both, and nothing she ever did made a difference.“Are you planningto stay for the festivities?”
Idess frowned.“Festivities?”
“It’s The Celebration of Angels Day.”
“Ah, yes.”Idess rolled her eyes.“The day angels everywhereget to congratulate themselves on being awesome and powerful and better thanall other living things.”
“Precisely.”
Lilliana grinned at the other female.She adored Idess andwished they could spend more time together.Unfortunately, Idess was busy withher family and her work at Underworld General, where she escorted human soulsinto the Heavenly light, and Lilliana was, withfew,specific exceptions, restricted to Sheoul-gra.
“I wish I could, but I need to be at a baby shower in anhour.Thanatos’s mate, Regan, is pregnant with their second child.”
Thanatos, one of the legendary Four Horsemen of theApocalypse, had come to Azagoth once for a favor, but that was beforeLilliana’s time, and she’d never met the guy or his ex-demon slayer mate.
“Send them my best,” Lilliana said, struggling to concealthe wistfulness in her voice.
