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“What?”

Margot smiles.

“I don’t stutter, Duck. Your mate is having exactly what you’d suspect to happen after rounds of claiming intercourse.”

My heart pounds.

“Grandmother, do not say intercourse!” Damian bellows.

“Wait? What should he suspect? I’m expecting? Expecting what?”

My entire body freezes, and I turn to Damian.

“OH MY GODDESS! YOU KNOCKED ME UP?!”

“Sweet, that wasn’t—I mean, I didn’t. Fuck. yes, I did. Will you forgive me, Belinda? And more importantly, will you marry me? I want to raise a family with you, my love. Only you.”

“Do you mean that?”

“Absolutely.”

I sniff. He kisses my temple. Then Damian's hand settles at the small of my back.

Warm.

Steady.

Supportive.

Margot's eyes gleam.

“Apparently, Damian didn't simply find his promised.”

She squeezes my fingers.

“He awakened his Devil's equal.”

Silence.

I stare at her. My tail flicks behind me. Damian's emotions crash through the bond.

Shock.

Wonder.

Pride.

And so much fucking love that my throat closes.

Then Margot glances toward my mother and sister. Her pleasant expression cools.

“And why are they still here?”

Damian's smile is positively vicious.

“They were just leaving.”

I look at my mother. At Melida. At the family I spent nearly four decades trying to be good enough for.