But Laz’s horror just morphed into sympathy. “Oh, beautiful.”
Twisting her grip so he was in control, he tugged her into his chest, arms and tail wrapping around her in a gentle hug.
Rose… well, she didn’t quite know what to do, not just because her arms were trapped against her sides, but because no one had ever reacted likethis.
“The chocolate is a craving, then?” hemuttered into the top of her head, hands rubbing soothing patterns along her spine.
“Yeah,” she answered in a daze.
“Well, Dav’s probably already making a whole tray of desserts for you, so we can absolutely have cake for breakfast.”
“Oh.”
“You have everything you need? I don’t think I have stuff here, but I can run out and get stuff. Wait, is that why Brioni came by?”
She managed to wiggle her head out of his grip, perching her chin on his chest so she could look up at him. There was only sincerity on his features. A tiny ache in his gaze that told her he really would drop everything right now to help her.
“N-no. I mean, that was a happy coincidence, since Aofe?—”
“The blue one?”
“Yeah, her. She’s been working on a… contraceptive.”
Lazerath gripped her shoulders, holding her at arms length with a mischievous grin. “You think the other humans are having sex with demons?”
“That’s not all a contraceptive can do. It also helps manage?—”
“I know, trust me. That is one thing I tried to be aware of when it came to partners,” he teased, then frowned. “Wait, now I’m trying to imagine Sev figuring out sex with a human.”
Rose snorted. “That’s not happening. Ember wouldn’t let him near her.”
“Aw, but Sev’s so nice. Sometimes. I mean, maybe less than Dav, but he’s got a good heart. He can’t cook for shit, but he does like to learn new things. And that place of his would be perfect for little half-demon babies?—”
“Oh my gods.”
“I should talk to him. Give him some tips.”
“Laz!” Rosalind laughed. “You cannot give him tips!”
“Why not? He’s not clueless, but it’s been a while since he’s had a partner, and obviously he has no idea that humans are different.”
“Because then he’d knowyouknow about humans!”
“I do.”
“Yes, but then—” She buried her face in her hands. “Then he’d know aboutme.”
“Yes.”
Rose spread her fingers and peered up at Laz. Saw that determination on his face just as she’d heard it in that single word.
He reached up, pulling her fingers from her face so he could lift her chin. “I’m very serious about you, Rose. And I would be shouting it from the rooftops if I didn’t know you’d hate the attention.”
Her eyes watered. “Laz.”
“It’s gonna be you, me, and Dav, beautiful. I’m gonna introduce you to my twin, and he’ll know exactly who you are to us.” Lazerath’s fingers shifted, brushingover her cheek as he tucked a strand of hair over her ear. “But it will only be the three of us who know how you come so prettily on our tongues.”
Rosalind inhaled sharply, nowhere to go as his hand wrapped around her neck and he crowded her back into the wall again.
