Page 71
“Who gets summers, who gets—”
I stabbed him. His hand specifically. With the fork, so it didn’t go in too deep.
We stayed there, frozen, the tines stuck in his skin while I tried to get it together. I yanked out the fork, and small drops of blood welled up. “Sorry. I’m pregnant. That’s why I stabbed you.”
He blinked at me. “You aren’t happy that I’m not going to contest the divorce? Why?”
“Why?” I sputtered. “Because I’m pregnant! I thought I made it very clear during that whole battle with my in-laws that I’m not doing nights alone this time. And no months away. So why would I bother negotiating for your presence in my life if we were just going to get divorced? You said we weren’t going to do it! You can’t just give up like that!”
He frowned darkly. “You’re telling me that you don’t want me to give you up. Do you realize how desperately I’ll hang onto those words no matter what else you say? Are you certain you want me? I don’t think I’ll give you another chance to say no.”
I stared at him while my stomach tumbled. “You’re saying that you don’t want a divorce?”
“Of course I don’t want a divorce. You’re my literal sanity! You’re also exquisitely beautiful. And the magic we could make together would be the culmination of every possible desire of my ambition. Also the children. And that Scilla still looks at you like she wants to kill you. I’d rather you weren’t poisoned. But what could possibly tempt you to have me? I have face-tattoos.”
“And a terrible family. But not as terrible as mine.” I shuddered. “I’m glad Uncle Claw wiped those memories so I didn’t have to live with them when I was trying to be normal. I want you for your warmth and your waffles.”
He stared at me for a long moment and nodded. “And the night feedings.”
“And the bugs. Do you have any idea how to deal with Jerome’s bug thing?”
“I think they’re dead and he’s animating them.”
I blinked at him. “That ups the level of ick exponentially.”
He smiled, and it was almost as warm as Clark’s smile. “But you can lay anything to rest that he raises. He’ll be a shadow of your strength.”
“So he won’t accidentally raise a cemetery?”
“Not likely.”
“Well, that’s a relief. So, we’re not getting a divorce?”
“Except that you’re married to a fictional character instead of a real person. So we should go through with the divorce and then you can marry my real name legally.”
I made a face at him. “Peregrine?”
“Peregrine Clarkston Penhedragon the third.”
I stared at him. “Penhedragon? Penhedragon? What kind of a name is that? It’s not even a name, just pentacle mixed with hexagon and dragon.”
He smiled again and leaned back in his chair. “I could take your name. Peregrine Hoar Frost.”
“That’s not my name.”
“Your foster name was made up by Uncle Claw. It’s as fictional as Clark Callen.”
“So you’re saying that our marriage isn’t legal? That we haven’t been legally married this whole time? That’s why we couldn’t get a divorce because we weren’t actually married?” I glowered at him.
His smile became something almost soft. “I swore my soul to you. We couldn’t have had children together otherwise. You will always possess me, body and soul.” He snagged my hand beneath the table, sliding his fingers through mine.
My heart beat faster and faster as I stared at the man who loved me. “Even with the weird dead thing?”
“I love the weird dead thing.”
“Even the getting drunk and kissing teenagers?” I winced.
His smile grew. “Even then. You are the most adorable drunk.”
