Page 178 of The King's Man
Lucifer’s smile broadened as we straightened, but he turned to at Diadre first.
“Hello, dear,” he said warmly. “Don’t do what you’re thinking about doing. It won’t end well for you.”
Diadre froze. I arched one brow, but Lucifer finally turned to me and clapped my shoulder.
“I’d almost given up on you, Jann. I’m glad to see you made the right choice.”
I nodded once, clenching my teeth. “It took some work, but Melek believes I’m helping him, and his mate believes me an ally.”
“Well done, Halfling.”
“I did tell you I could handle it.”
“Yes, you did. How long until our emerald-eyed cuckold arrives?”
Melek. How many of my messages had he actually received? He couldn’t possibly be prepared forthis.
“I can’t be certain,” I said casually. “I’ve stayed ahead of him on purpose, feeding him back the messages as you suggested. At a guess, I’d say a week. But if they aren’t flying, it will be more.”
Lucifer looked as if he wanted to roll his eyes. “Oh, he’s flying, He can’t help himself, especially knowing Gall is here,” he said, placing one hand on Gall’s arm and squeezing. Then the fucker looked down on Diadre again. “A solid choice. These Fetch women have a certainquality,don’t they?”
I wanted to tear out his throat, but I smiled instead. “They do.”
I growled when Lucifer leaned in and sniffed Diadre, who shrank from him towards me. His eyes brightened as he straightened. “And you’ve already impregnated her, well done!”
The world stopped as those words echoed in my head.
And you’ve already impregnated her, well done!
You’ve already impregnated her…
Already impregnated—
“I-I’m sorry, how can you… are yousure?”I stammered.
“These human bitches stink of it. They can’t hide it from me. Very convenient since they’re all liars. In any case,” he said, a cold gleam entering his gaze. “You might as well join the hunt. Gall and I will watch over her for you. Go find the next one. I’m sure you’ve heard our plans have accelerated?”
“There were rumors, but I never pay much attention until I’ve heard it directly from you,” I said, praying my voice didn’t sound as faint as it felt to me.
Pregnant?
My heart galloped away, thumping so hard on my ribs I was certain Lucifer would hear it.
The Fallen’s smile gleamed like a sharpened blade. “Gall is exceeding all expectations, so we’re moving ahead even more quickly than we’d planned.”
“I’ll admit, that was a surprise. I wasn’t sure bringing Gall into this was you, or—”
Lucifer waved me off. “Melek will be removed when he arrives here in Valgorath—publicly, so there’s no chance of an uprising. We’ve already sent forces to collect more of the Fetches. We’ll keep alive a number of those who are too small or weak to watch over the babes while we grow our numbers. Meanwhile, we move ahead. The time has come.”
I tipped my head. “Move? We have an army to face and a continent to solidify—”
Lucifer tsked impatiently. “Melek is a gnat on the ass of our plans. But thanks to him the continent is already underthe King’scontrol. Our goals are far bigger, Jann. Far bigger. Come, we’ll talk. Leave the bitch. No one here will touch her now that she’s pregnant. I have a plan for you. Come.”
I balked as Lucifer turned away, my mind reeling—instincts screaming that I couldn’t defy the Fallen to his face, especially with an audience, but it felt like my feet had been nailed to the tiles.
When Lucifer realized I wasn’t following, he turned slowly back to face me and tipped his head, eyes narrowing.
“I have left you wild, Halfling, but that is only because you have proven yourself loyal andtrustworthy.Need I reassess your…allegiance?”
