Chapter 31
ASMODEUS
Iwatch Simone from the doorway as she sketches baby clothes, her hand moving across the page with a confidence born from hours of practice. The swell of her belly has become even more pronounced in recent weeks, a visible testament to our growing child.
It's been nearly a month since I showed her my true form, since I stripped away the last of my deceptions and stood naked—literally and figuratively—before her.
The memory of her acceptance, of her wanting me even in my demonic form, still stuns me.
With her aversion to demons and our bumpy start, it's as close to a miracle as Hell can offer.
“Are you going to lurk there all day?” Simone asks without looking up, a smile playing at the corners of her lips.
“Perhaps.” I push off from the doorframe and move toward her. “The view is exceptional.”
She rolls her eyes, but I catch the faint blush coloring her cheeks. We're still finding our way back to each other, her trust rebuilding slowly.
I sit beside her on the sofa, my eyes drawn to her sketch. “You've been designing quite a lot lately.”
“I'm nesting, I think.” She gestures to her rounded belly. “Though I'm not sure what kind of clothes a baby demon needs.”
“The same as any other baby, just with more room for wings and tails,” I deadpan.
Simone laughs, then freezes, eyes wide open. “Will they have wings right away? Or horns?”
“No, little fairy.” I run my hand through her hair, gratified when she leans into my touch. “Since you're mostly human, they'll only be able to call on those later, if at all.”
She nods, then hesitates, her pencil stilling. “Az, can I ask you something personal?”
I tilt my head. “You're carrying my child and bound to me for eternity. I think we're well past the point of personal boundaries.”
“It's about your other children.” Her voice is careful, measured. “You've mentioned having hundreds, but you never really talk about them.”
Ah. This conversation was inevitable, I suppose. “What would you like to know?”
“Do you... love them?” As the question hangs between us, I realize no one has ever asked me that before. Love is the least important thing in Hell.
I consider deflecting, but I promised her honesty. “I don't know if I've ever loved them the way humans love their offspring. I've taken pride in those who've distinguished themselves. I've even been fond of some.”
Simone's brow furrows. “But not love?”
“Love wasn't something archdemons were meant to feel, little fairy. All but me were made in Elysium to serve and worship God. And me, well…” I take her hand, brushing my thumb across her knuckles. “Until you, I'm not sure I understood it at all.”
Her expression softens with a mixture of sadness and tenderness. “And our baby?”
“Our child will be different.” The certainty in my voice surprises even me. “You've changed me, Simone. Taught me things I thought were beyond my capacity.” I place my palm on her belly. “This child will know love.”
She covers my hand with hers, and we sit in silence for a moment.
“I'd like to meet some of your children,” she says finally. “If that's possible.”
The request catches me off guard, and I blink at her. “You would?”
“Yes.” Simone nods decisively. “I want to understand that part of you, too. And I'm curious about our baby's siblings.”
I consider her request. It's reasonable, even if it makes me feel somewhat uneasy.
“Naamah would be the easiest to start with,” I suggest.
Simone brightens. “That's the one with Kevin, right?”
“Yes, my daughter took your teammate as her consort.” I still find this coincidence perplexing. “They're expecting a child as well.”
“Really?” Excitement flickers across her face, followed quickly by uncertainty. “How are my friends? Do you know? I should have asked you weeks ago…”
I nod slowly. “I've heard some things. Your friend Jessica is bound to my nephew Sariel and another recently fallen angel.”
Her eyes widen. “Wow. Go Jess. And Lana is with your brother, oui?”
“Yes.”
Simone absorbs this information, her hand unconsciously stroking her belly. Finally, she takes a deep breath.
“Yes, I'd like to meet Naamah. And see Kevin. Could we go soon?”
“Tomorrow, if you wish.” I raise her hand to my lips, pressing a kiss against her palm. “I'll send word to Naamah tonight.”
Naamah's villa sits nestled in a lush grove near the Lethe, its white stone gleaming in the odd daylight of this section of Hell. Unlike our dark manor, my daughter's home embraces a Mediterranean aesthetic, with open courtyards, climbing vines, and fountains.
“It's beautiful,” Simone whispers as we approach, her hand tightening around mine.
I glance down at her, noting the tension in her shoulders. “Are you nervous, little fairy?”
“A bit.” She offers a tight smile. “I haven't seen anyone from Abaddon in over three years. Though I guess it’s been more like five for them.”
Before I can respond, the villa's doors swing open, and Naamah emerges. Her dark hair curls around her shoulders, her purple eyes bright with interest. Her pregnancy is more advanced than Simone's, her belly round and prominent beneath a flowing crimson dress.
“Father!” she calls, gliding down the steps toward us. “And this must be Simone.”
Behind her, the mortal, Kevin, appears, his eyes widening at the sight of Simone. Something possessive flares inside me as Simone releases my hand and rushes toward him.
“Kevin!” She throws her arms around him, and he returns the embrace, lifting her slightly off her feet.
“Simone! Holy shit, you're really here!” His voice cracks with emotion. “And you're so very—” He steps back, eyes dropping to her belly.
“Pregnant.” She laughs, then bites her lower lip. “So is your… partner?”
“Mistress,” Naamah corrects breezily, stepping forward. “Welcome to our home, Simone. I've been curious about the woman who's managed to domesticate my father.”
Simone blushes. “Ah, I wouldn't say that exactly.”
“I would.” Naamah grins, taking Simone's hand. “Come inside. We have much to discuss.”
I follow behind as they enter the villa, my eyes fixed on Kevin's hand resting casually on Simone's lower back. A growl builds in my chest, something primal and possessive awakening inside me. I could tear his arm off for daring to touch what's mine.
Naamah glances back, catching my expression. She narrows her eyes in warning.
I swallow the growl, forcing my features into neutrality. Kevin poses no threat to me. He's completely enamored with Naamah—his devotion to my daughter is like a tangible thing between them. And Simone is bound to me, carrying my child. My jealousy is irrational.
And yet it burns through me like acid.
We settle in a bright atrium, a demonic servant bringing refreshments and small delicacies. Simone sits beside me on a loveseat, but her attention is focused entirely on Kevin and Naamah.
“How far along are you?” she asks Naamah, gesturing to her rounded belly.
Naamah rests her hand on her stomach. “Eight months, by human counting.”
“Do you know what you're having?” Simone asks.
My daughter waves her hand in a so-so motion. “I have a feeling it's a daughter. A succubus, most likely, given my lineage.”
Kevin shifts uncomfortably, and I wonder how much he truly understands about what his child will be. The few times I've seen him, he seemed to be blissfully oblivious to what's going on around him.
“And you?” Naamah turns the question back to Simone.
“We don't know yet.” Simone glances at me. “Right?”
I press my lips together, giving her a tight smile. I can't sense the baby's gender, but I already know it will be a powerful demon.
“Father was never really around for this part.” Naamah's tone carries a hint of bitterness, and Kevin takes her hand.
“I was never much of a parent,” I admit. Probably the first time I do so in front of my offspring. “My children are numerous and largely self-sufficient.”
Naamah raises an eyebrow. “And you can't remember half of our names.”
She's not lying. I've lived millennia without giving much thought to my offspring beyond their usefulness or distinction. Even Naamah, my favorite, received only sporadic attention.
“I'm different now,” I say quietly.
Naamah studies me, her purple eyes narrowed on my face. “Yes,” she says finally. “I believe you are.”
Simone watches our exchange with a thoughtful expression. I can almost see her mentally cataloging everything, understanding me better through this interaction than perhaps through any confession I've made.
“Would you like to see the library?” Naamah asks Simone, clearly deciding to change the subject. “I have an extensive collection of human literature.”
Simone perks up. “I'd love to.”
“Excellent.” Naamah rises gracefully despite her advanced pregnancy. “Kevin, why don't you show Father our gardens while Simone and I get acquainted?”
Kevin looks uncertain, glancing between us. “Uh, sure. If that's alright with you, sir?”
The honorific amuses me. “Lead the way, Cambion.”
As the women leave, I catch Naamah whispering to Simone, “I have an entire section dedicated to human erotica. You missed out on some awesome releases while you were in the Pits. There’s this book where a girl finds three bear shifters in a cabin in the woods…
” Their laughter floats back to us as they disappear down a corridor.
Kevin leads me outside to a garden where exotic flowers bloom, surrounded by clouds of fragrance. We walk in awkward silence for several minutes before he clears his throat.
“So, uh, Simone looks good.”
I arch an eyebrow. “She does.”
“I mean…” he backpedals, clearly sensing danger. “She seems happy, you know? Healthy. That's good.”
“Yes,” I agree mildly, enjoying his discomfort. “It is.”
He fidgets with a leaf from a nearby plant. “Naamah says you've changed. That you're trying to be better.”
The statement catches me off guard. “Does she?”
Kevin nods. “She says she's never seen you like this. That you actually care about this baby.”
I stop walking, turning to face him fully. “I haven't cared about many things in my long life, Cambion. But the way I care about Simone and our child... this is different.”
Kevin looks at me, his brown eyes wide with understanding. “Yeah, I get that. When I found out Naamah was pregnant, I thought I was going to piss my pants. But then my heart just kind of… grew to make space for the baby.”
I snicker at his description. Oddly enough, I appreciate this puny mortal. “Naamah is fortunate to have found someone who loves her.”
His eyes widen slightly at the compliment. “T-thank you, sir. I... I do love her. Right from the start, even when she was terrifying.”
I laugh. “She takes after her grandmother in that regard.”
We continue our circuit of the garden, and by the time we return to the villa, I find myself almost enjoying the Cambion's brash nature.
In the library, we find Simone and Naamah sprawled on cushions, surrounded by books and giggling. They look up as we enter, Simone's cheeks flushed with laughter. The genuine joy on her face makes my chest hurt.
“Having fun?” I ask dryly.
“Immensely.” Naamah closes the book with a snap. “Your consort has excellent taste in literature, Father. Quite the collection of smut back at your manor, I hear.”
Simone blushes deeper. “It's mainly classics and fashion books.”
“And three shelves of erotica,” I add, unable to resist teasing her.
“Az!” She throws a small cushion at me, which I catch easily.
Naamah watches this interaction with obvious fascination. “Never thought I'd see it,” she drawls.
“What?” Kevin asks, settling beside her.
“My father, acting like a besotted human.” She tilts her head, studying me. “It's like watching a hellhound perform ballet.”
“Your analogies leave much to be desired, Daughter.” I move to Simone's side, offering my hand to help her up from her comfortable sprawl among the cushions. “Perhaps we should leave you two to rest.”
“Oh yes,” Naamah purrs, stretching languidly. “It's almost time for my pet to give me my nightly foot rub.”
Kevin rolls his eyes affectionately. “The hardship.”
Simone laughs again, and I find myself treasuring the sound. Ever since the Burning Pits, each time she shows her happiness feels like a victory.
“Visit again soon,” Naamah says. Then she winks at Simone. “Stepmom.”
My consort gives her a startled laugh. “I'd like that.” Then she turns to Kevin. “It was so good to see you.”
“You too, Simone.” He hugs her carefully. “I can't believe we both ended up... here. Like this.”
“Life is strange,” she agrees.
I place my hand on the small of Simone's back. “Shall we, little fairy?”
She nods, but as we turn to leave, she pauses. “Actually, I think... I think I'd like to see Lana and Jessica too. Soon, if that's possible.”
I smile down at her. “Of course. We'll arrange it.”