Page 89 of The Devil's Canvas

“You’re staring,” I say.

He doesn’t blink. “I’m appreciating.”

“You’re being creepy.”

He smirks. “And yet, you still let me inside you. Twice.”

I groan and hurl a pillow at his face. “Why do I even talk to you?”

He catches it midair. “Because you like when I ruin youandthe conversation.”

I sit up, still not even a little sore or foggy. “Okay, but seriously—I should be tired. We didn’t sleep.”

Julian props himself on one elbow, eyes raking over me like he hasn’t decided whether to answer or drag me back under. “You’re immortal now, love. You won’t tire like before. And here in Hell? You’re powerful. Your body knows it. It’s adjusting.”

I blink at him. “But you slept when you stayed at my apartment.”

His mouth quirks. “Because I’d been on Earth too long. The longer we’re away from our realm, the more the body bends. It dulls the edges.”

“And exhaustion’s the first thing to hit?”

He shrugs. “That, or irrational emotional outbursts.”

I snort. “So basically, you get... human.”

He grins. “Don’t tell anyone.”

“Wait… we didn’t use protection.”

“Nope,” Julian says, maddeningly calm.

My stomach flips. “But… you’re a demon. I can’t—right?”

He doesn’t laugh. Doesn’t even blink. “Lia. How do you think I exist?”

My blood runs cold. “Shit. I can get pregnant.”

He leans on his elbow, still watching me like this is the most obvious thing in the world.

“But… how?” I shake my head, hoping it’ll clear the fog. “I mean, I know how, but also—how?”

Julian smirks. “Do you need a repeat of last night? I’m happy to provide a demonstration.”

I throw the blanket at him. “Not helping, demon.”

“You started it, little mortal.”

“Immortal,” I snap. “And you’re a demon. A thousands-of-years-old, slept-with-legions kind of demon.”

“Hey! That’s an exaggeration.” He opens his mouth. Shuts it. “Okay. Maybe not legions. But like… a battalion.”

“A whole cursed infantry,” I mutter.

“That’s because,” he says, brushing hair from my face, “children only happen with a fated mate.”

I still. “So I could be pregnant.”

He nods. “It’s possible.”

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