Page 71 of Redeeming the Angel

I remained in a daze for nearly a week.Del came back every night for the first five nights, making sure I ate and bathed, talking to me in soothing tones, watching movies and TV with me, and telling me about all I needed to know about Earth.He knew this place better than I did, which shocked me.He’d never accompanied Nik and me on rescue missions.I didn’t dwell on that question long.I was in too much pain and too grateful for his presence.

But my days were empty.I spent those curled up in bed, crying until I couldn’t any longer, then wandering around my new house like a ghost.

The first thing to pull me out of my daze was the realization thatthispregnancy was guaranteed to be successful.I didn’t have to worry about another miscarriage.I would have a daughter.A child of my own at last.And I would have my revenge on Mephistopheles.Like Del, said, I was her mother, so I must do everything I could to help her towards that goal.

I started by opening the cupboard and preparing a beef stew.While that was simmering, I made a lunchmeat sandwich.I would eat all the meat I could.A carnivorous child would be more capable of killing.

And when Delgarias arrived, the movies I selected were the most violent I could find in the shelves full of discs and videotapes.Tomorrow, I would drive to the music store and buy the most violent, angry music I could find.But I would also counter the anger and violence with happy thoughts and stories, honorable things too.

Her name would come from the most complex tribe I knew, capable of brutal violence, but also great honor, beautiful creativity, and strong magics.Xochitl.The word meant “flower,” but was also the time of the month when Xochiquetzal, goddess of beauty, love, and happiness, looked over artists and singers, and all creatives.

The second thing that gave me strength was hope that Lucian would find me.Once he did, I’d no longer be alone.And when I eventually died from Earth’s lack of magic.He could be there and watch over her until she was ready to return to Aisthanesthai and fulfill the Prophecy.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Lucian

Present

At Kerainne’s final words of the tale, my heart, already beaten and bloodied from her tale of Mephistopheles’s attack on Medicia, was crushed further.But my pain was nothing compared to hers at what I did when I found her.She’d believed that I’d listen to her, that I’d understand the situation and be there for her.And for Xochitl.And I’d trampled over all that undeserved faith and hurled more hurt at her when she’d already been hurting so much and needed me.

“Fates, Kerainne, I’m so sorry.”The moment the words tumbled from my stupid mouth, I finally realized how pithy and worthless they were every time I’d said them to her.

“I know.”She refilled her teacup and took a deep drink, visibly relieved at the feel of honey on her raw throat.“I mean, I believe you now.”

“I’m never going to be able to make up for what I did to you.”

“I know.”She rubbed her eyes in futile effort to banish the dark circles and lines of strain.“But maybe I can let you try.Starting with a favor.”

“Anything,” I vowed.

“Can I sleep with you tonight…or rather, today since the sun will be up in a few hours?”

I blinked at her, both confused, astonished, and delighted.

“Not sex!”she said quickly.“I just don’t want to be alone, in case I have nightmares again.”

“Of course.”I stood and offered her my hand.Yawning both for real and to assure her that I was sleepy too.

I led her to my bedroom and gave her the biggest shirt I had, along with drawstring sweatpants that I shrunk with a spell.While she went in the bathroom to change and clean her teeth, I changed into my own pajamas, buttoning up the flannel shirt all the way to the collar so she would be reassured that I wouldn’t try to seduce her.

Then, when she returned, I turned down the bed and left her to get in and settle herself while I brushed my teeth.

Part of me was as giddy as a youth at the prospect of having her in my bed beside me again after so many decades—even back then it was a rare treat, as we were usually in a place where we had to be proper even if those around knew we were already mating.The other part of me felt horrible, and completely undeserving.

Just because I was there to protect against nightmares didn’t mean I should be rewarded like this.

When I returned to the bedroom, she was tucked in on the side of the bed I usually slept.Was it because the mattress was softer on that side, or because it smelled like me?I shoved that speculation away and tried not to notice how beautiful her long blonde curls looked splayed across my pillow, reflecting the gold moonlight.

I turned off the bedside lamp and got into bed, laying on my back with my hands clasped on my chest like a vampire in an Earth movie to make sure I wouldn’t accidentally touch her.

“Lucian?”Her voice was husky from drowsiness, and unbearably sexy.

“Yes?”

“Will you hold me?”

Immediately, I rolled over and gathered her into my arms, biting back a groan of bliss at the feel of her back against my chest, and her round ass against my hips and…No!I promised I’d behave.Why was she blessing me with such heaven?

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