Page 243 of The Spider Queen
Was he this surly when we met him in the woods?
Yes. You were just too fascinated by his wings to notice his terrible attitude.
What can I say? I like grumpy old men.
I’m not grumpy.
You used to be.I pointed out.
You try not getting laid for thousands of years, and see what that does to you.
No thanks. Besides, I’ll make it up to you.
“Seriously,” Gabriel muttered. “When are you both going to settle into the old mate routine? You guys are literally charging the air with your desire.”
“Says the fallen angel,” I remarked dryly. “I distinctly remember you and Auri charging the air, too.”
“That’s different.” Gabriel grinned. “I was the one getting some.”
I laughed.
“Maybe after the baby comes we’ll settle down,” Thane announced.
My mouth dropped open, and then I shot him a glare.
Thane grinned and then turned his attention back to Gabriel. “Guess I was supposed to keep that quiet for a bit.”
Gabriel slapped his hand on Thane’s back. “We should celebrate.”
“That, too, has to keep,” Thane said. He raised the golden cage. “We should see to this.”
“You should,” Gabriel said with a sigh. “It’s the first of many.”
Thane made a noise in the back of his throat and headed toward the doorway.
Gabriel set his hand on my shoulder. “Congratulations.”
I sighed. “Thank you.”
He squeezed my shoulder in tacit understanding. I shook my head and rolled my eyes. It was only a matter of time before everyone in Purgatory knew our news—news I still couldn’t believe was true.
“Do you know where Auri is?” he asked as he followed me into the fortress.
“Sleeping, I’d imagine.” I raised an eyebrow. “I’ll point out her door when we get to the throne room. I’m sure she’ll be excited to see you.”
Gabriel’s eyes flashed with devilish intent. I raised an eyebrow. He shrugged and then grinned. “I’m going to try and convince her to help me fly souls back and forth.”
“I’ve seen you disappear in a cloud of fairy dust,” I said. “Why can’t you just teleport there and back.”
“It’s called sifting,” he said in amusement. “Those that can sift can’t do it in Heaven. Magical beings are reduced to their most basic element there. Angels are skilled fighters. We can still fly within the bounds of Heaven, but our other abilities are null.”
I thought about the vision of Heaven I’d seen.
Gabriel looked at me. “What’s wrong?”
I shook my head. “I’ll ask Thane. It’s a Guardian question.”
“You want to know if you will ever go to Heaven.”
