Hawkyn would sideline Maddox’s drunk butt if he needed to,but for now he was just happy to have friends and family at his back.
On this matter, I will go to war.
Especiallynow.
Chapter Eight
Reaching for the door handle to Azagoth’s office,Lilliana took a deep, bracing breath.But as her hand closed on the cold metal,she hesitated.She’d seen her mate inragesbefore,and she knew to give him space.Lots of space.Especially after he lost controlof his inner demon and let it loose to play.
She glanced at her watch.It had been an hour since he’dflown away in a huff.What did it mean?What was going on with him?
Her gut churned as she steadied herself with one finalmental pep talk and opened the door.
He’d returned to his usual handsome form, standing so closeto the fireplace that flames licked at the hem of the black robe he must havethrown on after shifting out of his beast form, which generally destroyed hisclothing.
“Hey,” she said softly.
His big body shuddered, but he didn’t turn around.“Mylove.”
Every time he called her that, she melted a little inside.She’d originally come to Sheoul-gra to steal something from him, and he likedto claim that what she stole was his heart.He’d stolen hers, too, and evenwhen things were rough, she still felt like the luckiest angel ever.
The door closed behind her with a muffled thud.“Are youokay?”
“Yes.”
Ignoring what was obviously a lie, she moved closer.“I’mworried about you.You’ve been so cranky and distant.”
“It’s nothing.”He turned to her, affecting a smile that wasclearly meant to placate her.“Just work stuff.”
“I think it’s more than that.”She rested her hand on hisarm.“Please, darling.Let me in.”
He let out a low, seductive growl and tugged her to him.“How about you letmein...”
Always before when he touched her like this she’d given in.But not this time.
“No.”Gently, she shoved him away.“You aren’t going todistract me again.I want to know whatsetyou offtoday.I also want to know more about the angel you were fighting with.”
Lilliana had never been jealous of his past lovers, mainlybecause she knew that most of them had viewed him onlyas ameans toreproduce, a duty and a sacrifice.But she’d also neverexpected any of them to come to Sheoul-gra now that he was mated.ClearlyUlnara hated him, and he didn’t appear to be overly fond of her, either, buthearing him say that she could thanktheirson for saving her had beenlike a punch to the womb.
“What set me off,” he growled, “is that the Memitim Councilis refusing to reveal the locations of any of my young children who are stillliving among the humans.”
She blinked in confusion.“Why do you want to know wherethey are?You’ve never known, have you?”
“No, I haven’t.But I want to knownow.”His smoky emerald gaze locked with hers.“And I want them brought here.”
Whoa.She sucked in a startled breath.Thiswas...unexpected.Long overdue, perhaps, butunexpectednevertheless.Especially given the fact that he’d said he wasn’t ready forheand Lilliana to have children.Yet now he wanted scoresof them, the ones he’d made with other females, to fill his realm?
“How long have you been wanting this to happen?And whydidn’t you tell me?”She tried not to be upset by the fact that he hadn’tdiscussed this with her, but it was impossible to keep the thread of hurt outof her voice.
“A while,” he said, and if he was aware on any level thatshe felt bruised by his lack of disclosure, it didn’t show.“I didn’t tell youbecause I didn’t want to say anything until I knew it was even a possibility.Which itdoesn’t appear tobe.”
“Why would they refuse you?Especially since our matingchanged how Memitim are created, right?”
“Precisely,” he growled.“It’s bullshit.New Memitim classangels can now be born to any Heavenly angel.And unlike my offspring, theywon’t be abandoned for humans to raise.They’ll be raised and trained in Heavenlike normal angels of all classes and Orders.”
“So why was Ulnara here?”
“Because she’s on the Council now.”
