He laughed. “Good? That’s all you have to say?”
“I can’t exactly beat such a perfectly swoony declaration, so I figured I wouldn’t bother.”
“Imp,” he said, reaching down and pinching my ass. The flare of lust that caused was impossible to ignore. His expression went from playful to smoldering. “What do you say we all get out of here?”
“I thought you’d never ask.”
Chapter
Forty-Five
LUCIFER
Sanctuary looked the same as it had when we’d left, but now that the world was set to rights, far fewer creatures remained hidden underground. Most of the shifters and vampires had returned to their homes, eager to restore them to their former glory. Same for the Novasgardians and the fae who’d been away from their realms for far too long. Even my brothers had fucked off back to heaven. Except for Evander. He’d muttered something about spending some time on Earth before disappearing into the night.
Besides Lilith and Crombie, the only ones remaining were the heirs and their mates. It seemed fitting for them to stay until we’d had the opportunity to properly say goodbye.
“Are we certain they’re dead?” Caleb asked, his arm wrapped possessively around Sunday’s waist. “We can’t risk bringing Eden home until we know she won’t be in danger.”
“My brothers confirmed it,” I said.
Grim added his assurance to mine. “I asked the same question. They’re gone for good.”
“At least for the next twenty years,” Sin muttered.
“What was that?” Caleb asked.
“Nothing,” he said far too quickly. “Rest assured, your little ones will grow up safely.”
“In that case, I think we’ll be off. We’ve been away from our daughter for far too long.”
“Let’s never do this again,” Sunday said.
“No. Never,” Merri agreed. “The next time we see each other, I want to be on a beach with a cocktail and no responsibilities.”
Dahlia laughed. “I’ll bring the romance novels.”
“I’ll bring the picnic!” Rosie offered. “I found the most adorable set of baskets in the attic.”
“Absolutely not,” Asher said with a quick shake of his head. “You stick to the after-sun lotions and body oils.”
“Yeah,” she agreed. “That would probably be safer all around.”
“Don’t worry, Duchess. We will find something. In the meantime, I think we should take our leave. I’ve shared you with the world for far too long of late,” Gavin said.
In the end, it appeared there wasn’t much that needed to be said after all. As soon as the first group started to say their goodbyes, the others followed, and then it was just the six of us standing with Lilith and Crombie.
“What must it feel like to go about life without being hunted?” Crombie asked Lilith under his breath.
“I couldn’t say. I’ve never experienced it myself.” Lilith’s eyes darted in my direction before returning to her fae prince. “Perhaps we’ll know one day.”
The comment had me recalling something I’d been meaning to talk to her about. A loose end that required some tying up. Ignoring the fact that I’d been eavesdropping and was not, in fact, a welcome member of their conversation, I sidled up to my ex. “I do believe I might have a solution to your problem. A... bargain, as it were.”
Lilith raised her brows while Crombie narrowed his eyes. “We weren’t talking to you,” he snarled.
“So?”
Just when it appeared he was going to shove his fist down my throat, Lilith stopped him with a hand on his chest. “Wait a moment, pet. I’d like to hear what he is offering.”
