I grimaced. “It might not be in a church.”
He waved a hand at me and collected his glass of red fizzy soda. “The act of becoming married varies across countries, factions, and time. Your union is yours, and no one else’s. Where and how you say your vows should be important and reflect the two lives coming together and the future you want to share. Just because you aren’t at a traditional altar doesn’t make your marriage less than a pair who say ‘I do’ in a cathedral.”
Hudson relaxed next to me. That’s what he was worried about? God forcing us into a church? “I’m pleased to meet you,” he finally settled on, like we hadn’t been here for several minutes.
Adon chuckled. “Sometimes it can take the mind a few beats to catch up.” He took a sip from His glass and smiled as He closed his eyes. “Amazing.” His eyes flicked open, and He looked at the plate. “Are those lemon cookies?”
I slid Lucifer an amused glance. “Yes, please help yourself.”
Adon picked one up and bit into it. He hummed. “Please tell Maggie these are the best cookies I have ever tasted.”
What an endorsement.
We all grabbed a cookie because it seemed the polite thing to do.
“Not that I am not grateful to meet you, but why are you here?” I said. I didn’t want to offend Him, but I was also curious.
Adon’s gray eyes found mine, a wealth of knowledge shifting behind them, the answers to every question in the universe at the tip of His fingers. “Your existence has caused a stir among my angels.”
“Because they are judgmental purists,” Lucifer muttered.
Adon smiled and tilted His head in acknowledgment. “I agree there are those among your kind that still fail to understand time has moved on. It is a cultural change, and those take time. However, Abaddon has made it clear they will face his wrath if they try to harm her.” So my father was telling the truth that he put a protection order out on me. Color me flattered. “I wanted to ensure they knew she was also on my radar, so no one gets any bright ideas.”
God and the angel of death were in my corner.
“Why?” Lucifer said. “There have been Nephilim before, and none warranted this attention from heaven.”
Adon finished the last bite of His cookie. “None of them had her bloodline.”
“None were elemental?” Dave asked.
Adon narrowed His gaze and then flicked it to me. “No,” He said slowly. “None of them were elemental.”
While His words rang true, the fact He meant something else wasn’t lost on me. I could ask, but if He’d wanted to share in front of everyone, He would have done so. I would either have to wait to get Him alone, or I would need more answers about my family tree.
“I’m afraid this is just a fleeting visit.”
“Do you have any advice regarding Donn?” Hudson asked.
Adon frowned. “There’s an unwritten rule among us. We don’t interfere unless it is our own getting attacked.”
Hudson leaned forward. “Cora is your own.”
“But no one is attacking her.”
Hudson’s mouth slammed closed.
“If we went to war every time a god did something we didn’t like, your world would be a decimated wasteland. Trust me, it’s better if I don’t interfere.”
“Not even when your greatest creation is being threatened?” Dave asked.
“Not even then.”
Adon gave Bella a scratch behind her ears before lifting her off his lap and onto the floor before standing. “Cora, Lucifer, see me out.”
His tone wasn’t a query—it was a quiet demand. I rose to my feet and gave a subtle shake of my head to Hudson when he tensed.
Lucifer and I followed Adon outside and closed the door. Adon glanced at the cloudless sky. “Lucifer, I forgave you centuries ago. If you want to come home, then we can put a rotation on the burden of Hell. You have my number.” God had a number? Adon slanted me an amused glance. “You wanted advice, Cora?”
