But like Orion reminded him, he was no longer the naive person he once was. Because of what he’d been through, he’d grown up and knew how to stand up for himself, but he couldn’t help but wonder if he’d misjudged the situation so many years ago.
“Are you telling me the truth? You didn’t cheat on me?”
“Uri, the only thing I am guilty of is being a fool and not going after you. I would never cheat on you, and if I am lying, I offer the honor of my death to the god Odin.”
Uriel’s eyes widened at hearing such a declaration. “Are you fucking crazy? Why would you do that? What if Odin showed up to kill you?”
“I will do anything to prove my innocence. Even if it’s my li—”
Uriel pressed a finger to Azazel’s mouth, stopping him from saying more. “Since Odin didn’t show up, I believe you.”
He stared at Azazel’s blood-red eyes, admitting that he really missed him, and for the past thirty-plus years, he hadn’t been living. He loved his sons, job, and friends, but there was an enormous gaping hole in his heart that had once given him life.
“I’m sorry, too. I consciously hurt you, because I wanted you to feel my pain, but the only one I was hurting was myself.”
Azazel removed Uriel’s hands from his mouth and spoke. “I told you, I forgive you.”
He leaned down and lightly kissed Uriel’s tear-stained eyes, nose, and finally his lips, making him forget where they were. They clung together, and Azazel’s manly scent filled his senses, reminding him of the days they used to spar and make love after. Uriel’s body tingled with memories of the past, wanting to recapture it now. Azazel slowly separated their lips, and Uriel chased after them, wanting more, only to come back to reality when he heard the other man’s deep chuckle.
“It will take some time, but we will move past this,” Azazel said.
“I hope so, because I don’t want to fight with you anymore.” Uriel meant it physically and mentally. “Even if things don’t work out between us, you need to have a relationship with Kristoph.”
“Notifwe work out, we will be together. I told you I’m not letting you go again. Tonight I’m making a vow that you, me, Kristoph, and Donald are going to be a family, no matter what.”
It all sounded good to Uriel’s ears, but he knew how Donald felt about him and wasn’t putting a lot of hope and prayers into Azazel’s words.
“Stop doubting me,” Azazel said. “I will not make a promise I can’t keep, Uriel. I won’t disappoint you again.”
Azazel raised a hand and a thick fog entered the arena, blocking out the audience that Uriel had completely forgotten was there. “Come on, let’s go.”
Uriel didn’t need to ask what Azazel was doing. He could feel the manipulation magic taking root. He could only imagine what the audience would see when Azazel was done fucking with their minds.
“Don’t ever use this magic on me,” Uriel told him.
“My manipulation magic doesn’t work on my mate and offspring. You can feel me using it.”
“No wonder I could tell you and Loki were up to something when you first came to town.” Another thought came to Uriel about Loki, and he decided to test the waters. “Since I’m allowing you to get close to Kristoph, keep Loki away from him. I don’t want his bad influence to rub off on my kid.”
Azazel sighed. “Why do you hate him so much? I know he’s done some terrible things over the years, but he has his good qualities.”
“Do I need to remind you what Angrboda did to our son?”
“No, I have not forgotten,” Azazel snapped. “And to show me how much he cares, Loki killed her.”
“How?” Uriel asked. “He is powerless.” Azazel didn’t respond, and Uriel saw something flash in his eyes, but it disappeared quickly as understanding dawned on him. “You helped him.”
“Of course I did,” Azazel said. “He lost his powers, how else was he going to get to the in-between. Did you think I would allow her actions to go unpunished? She not only hurt my pregnant son, but my mate as well. Anyone who dares lay a hand on my family will not live to see another sunrise.”
Uriel knew Azazel could be bloodthirsty when someone crossed his bottom line, but he hadn’t expected Loki would dare kill one of his wives and allies.
“Then I suppose I owe Loki one favor.”
“He’ll be happy to hear that.” Azazel smiled.
Uriel was tired of talking about the former god of tricks and changed the subject. Looking at the dense fog around them, it brought him back to the fight.
“I have a feeling of what you’re putting in the audience’s mind about the fight. Did you at least let me win?”
