Page 362 of The Spider Queen
I inhaled slowly, knowing there was no hope for it. I came out of the bedroom into the kitchen. Dad was dressed in a black silk shirt an leather pants. He looked like a rock star that belonged on the cover ofRolling Stone.
His dark eyes immediately darted to my wings, which shook under his careful perusal.
Dad’s smile dimmed. “So it’s done then?”
“What’s done?” I asked. I carefully moved through the small kitchen so I didn’t bash my wings into cabinets and counters. I picked up the teakettle and filled it.
“You chose him.”
I didn’t look at him when I asked, “How do you figure?”
“When your mother picked me, she turned into a spider. Scared the living daylights out of her. You share her DNA. Therefore, it’s safe to assume that where your heart has led you, your body has followed.”
I said nothing as I put the kettle on the stove and turned on the burner. I swiveled carefully—I’d caught the edges of my wings on more than one occasion already. They were sensitive yet durable, only twingeing when I’d bashed them against the wall, trying to go through a doorway.
“Do you still love me?” I blurted out. “For choosing him?”
“Of course I still love you. You’ve heard of this thing called unconditional love? Parents feel it for their children. I love you, Stella. Do you hear me? I love you.”
We stared at one another, father and daughter. And then I went to him and embraced him, needing to know he still loved me despite my decision to be with Lucifer.
I stepped away and rubbed at my tearing eyes. “Tea?”
“Tea sounds great.”
As I moved toward the small kitchen, the front door opened and Herron tore in, carrying three bags of takeout.
Her eyes widened when she saw my father. “Whoa,” she breathed. “Is this—” She looked at me and whispered, “Lucifer?”
I laughed and shook my head. Before Thane could introduce himself, I did it for him. “This is my father.”
Thane’s eyes landed on mine. They were warm with love and appreciation.
“Yourfather?” Herron shrieked. “This is your father?”
I nodded.
“Stella! Your dad is a total hottie!”
I shook my head in exasperation as I watched Herron fall over him. Sure, he was good-looking and didn’t look a day over thirty. But come on. No girl wanted her friends to think her dad was hot.
“I’m Thane.” He went to help her immediately. “Can I help you with those bags?”
“Hot and chivalrous,” Herron said to me with a wink. “No wonder your mom is pregnant.”
“Can you not? I prefer not to think about my parents as sexual beings. ’K, thanks. Thanks for these,” I said, digging through one of the bags. “I’m starving.”
“Why did you need me to go out in the middle of the night and get fifteen medium rare hamburgers?” she demanded. “You made it seem like you were curled up in the fetal position, unable to move.”
I frowned. “Because of how I look.”
It was her turn to frown. “You look fine. Better than fine. You look like you went to the spa. Your skin is radiant.”
I paused mid-chew to look at her and then to my father who was standing by appearing amused.
“Glamour,” he explained. “She still sees you as the you before you…well, you know.”
I swallowed. “You mean she can’t see my…”
