Slowly, as if emotions were weighing him down, Azagoth cameover to Hawkyn.
“Thank you,” he said roughly.“This...is incredible.”
“Don’t take this the wrong way,” Hawkyn said, “but I’msurprised this was so important to you.You barely acknowledge our existencemost of the time.Why bring in even more of us?”
Azagoth glanced over at Lilliana, who smiled reassuringly.When he turned back to Hawkyn, there was warmth in his gaze.Not hot flames ofmalevolence, but genuine, warm emotion.
“My life was devoid of meaning for a long time,” Azagothsaid.“I had a duty, but not a life.Lilliana brought life to me, and my sonsand daughters have brought even more.I thought I didn’t have room for it all,but Ido.I justhave toremember not to fight it.”
Hawkyn had no idea what that meant, but Lilliana did, andeven through the joy in her expression, he thought he saw a flicker of worry.But maybe that was just his imagination.
“I understand Azagoth has a new grandchild on the way?”Lilliana said, coming to her feet.“Congratulations, you two.I’m guessingthere’s a lot for you to work out now.”
Aurora nodded vehemently.They still had to figure out wherethey were going to live while Aurora’s house was being repaired, they had babyplans to make, and before the baby came, they had to get to know each othereven more.
He was going to enjoy every second he spent learning abouther—inside and out.
“I’m happy for you,” Azagoth said, and in a shocking move,he wrapped his arm around Hawkyn’s neck and hauled him in for a brief, powerfulhug.“And I’m proud of you.”
Hawkyn’s eyes stung.He’d never had a parent.Even afterhe’d moved here, Azagoth had been less a father and more a dictator.Hisaffection had been fleeting, as intangible as a ghost.He’d felt it now andthen, but in aninstantit would be gone, and Hawkwould wonder if it had truly been there at all.
This time, there was no doubt.
For the first time in his life, he had no doubts aboutanything.For the moment, life was perfect.
ChapterTwenty-Two
Finallysomething had gonehis way.Azagoth was going to have all his young children here, delivered outof their human hells and raised with brothers and sisters who shared similarexperiences.His kids would be happy, well cared for, and he planned to play anactive role in their upbringing.
He neverwould have imaginedthatany of this could happen.Hell, he hadn’t wanted it to happen.Not forthousands of years.Lilliana had changed him, and it was absolutely for thebetter.Sure, there was the downside of experiencing things like hurt andguilt, but love was worth it.
Lilliana was worth it.
He swept into the bedroom, prepared to sweep her into hisarms and show her what she meant to him.He was going to spend a full day doingnothing but spoiling her.Feeding her the best food.Bathing her in a tub fullof Champagne.Tending to her every want and need.
But the second he stepped across the threshold, he knewsomething was wrong.
Terror formed like a hot coal in his belly, turning todownright panic when he saw the note on his pillow.
His hand shook as hepicked itupthe lavender-scented paper, and his eyes grew blurry as he read his mate’sflowing script.
My Love,
You are my world.You know that.I’ve never been happierthan I have been since I met you, and you’ve said the same about me.But rightnowI think we’re both overwhelmed by the changes in ourlives and the emotions those changes have unearthed.You have so many childrenyou need to get to know and to understand, and you need to do it on your own.Ican’thelpanymore, not when my presence is causingconfusion.
As for myself, you know I love your sons and daughters.Well, I love many of them.Others I’m still getting to know.Stillothers...well, there are a few who vex me and a couple who actively despise me,and I’m not overly fond of them either.No matter what, though, I want yourfamily around us, and I’m excited for all the little ones who will be savedfrom miserable lives in the human world and who will be brought to Sheoul-grato know their siblings and father.
You need to handle it yourself.You’ll be fine.I knowyou will.
I won’t be gone long, I don’t think, but I promise, I’llbe back.
I love you.
Lilliana
The letter slipped from Azagoth’s numb fingers.He watchedit float to the floor as he sank to his knees, his legs unable to support theweight of his grief.
Lilliana had left him.He didn’t know how she’d done it,given that she’d been all but locked inside Sheoul-gra by archangels, butsomehow, she’d escaped.
