Mads smirked and huffed. “King of Shade.”
Locke tapped him with her bouquet. “All right, you. Let’s get on with this before you run away with cold feet.”
Mads turned to her, taking her hands. “I’m too clever to run from a Love goddess.”
My heart pinged with the affection bouncing between them. They clearly adored each other and enjoyed bantering with each other as much as Slade and I did.
A massive ball of white light broke up the interaction, Eros himself making an appearance, shrinking down into a human form, towering over us at nine feet. A gold-edged toga dripped from his sculpted body, his skin tanned and lustrous. Gold leaves framed his crown on a head of sandy hair. Wings flapped from his shoulders.
Isis came to me in a vision about that size. All rosy skin, kohl eyes, flowy material, jewelry, and plaited hair. I thought I died and went to heaven.
The gods weren’t meant to take human form, but they all broke the rules here and there. This was a worthy occasion.
Mia sat on Zethan’s lap, whispering about how tall the angel was and wanting a pair of wings.
Shit.
Eros’ smile to the crowd had us all melting from the love he oozed, and me forgetting all about the show of magick.
Locke’s men surrounded her, Rane and Mads taking her hand, and Byron clasping her waist. We got to thevows, kisses, applause, and congratulations without any hitches. Eros let off an arrow and love hearts poured from the ceiling and popped as they hit us. Mia squealed trying to catch them as if they were bubbles bursting on her palms.
Shit.Shit.Explanations to rationalize this scrambled in my mind. A good old memory erasing might be in order there. Seven years old was too young to comprehend magick, and I didn’t want her blabbing to friends, teachers, or other club members. For now, I’d let her enjoy herself. Home was another story.
Locke’s men carried the bride bridal style down the aisle, stopping in front of their guests. Hades wouldn’t let his friend go, and Autumn had to intervene to let us get in and offer our congratulations. In the end, Slade swept her away, leaning down to kiss the bride’s cheek, earning a growl from Rane and a wicked chuckle from Mads.
A scan of her body showed her pregnancy. Mads’ child.Go, Mads!
At Hades’ dinner party, Mads ran at the mention of having his own kid, and Locke enjoyed tormenting him.
Alaric squeezed my waist in response to the bounce of joy of my fertility goddess side getting all clucky for more babies.
Locke arrived in front of me, a haze of roses, cinnamon, and maple syrup. I gave her a hug. “Congratulations on two fronts.”
She pulled away and palmed her belly. Her eyes warmed from the stormy gray to beautiful steel. “We haven’t announced it yet.”
Oops. “Fertility goddess secret.” I pretended to zip my lips.
Mads flushed red, and Slade jumped on it, slapping him on the back, sending the lithe man sprawling. “You’ve got the super sperm too, huh?”
I mentally hit my forehead. Damn Slade and his big mouth.
“Obscene outlaw,” Hades muttered, and Zethan laughed, probably because he wasn’t the only one with the nickname.
Castor threw an arm over Mads’ shoulder and squeezed his neck. “The king of thieves flustered and embarrassed. What’s the world come to?”
Locke went to Mads’ side and put a reassuring palm on his abdomen. “Someone’s still a little touchy with the idea of having a baby.”
Hades barreled into the circle, seized Mads in a bear hug and lifted him off the ground, bouncing him like a baby. “The world’s in for trouble with your offspring!”
“Did someone give him too much wine?” Slade joked, coming to my side and slinging an arm around my shoulders.
Autumn put an arm on her husband’s bicep, encouraging him to release Mads. “I think that’s his way of saying he’s happy for you.”
Locke hit Hades in the gut, and he didn’t even register it. “Aw, you big softy. Just giving you warning: Baby Thief is going to steal your jewels when we visit.”
Hades snorted his derision, hugged her, showing her more restraint. “I’ll lock them up.”
Once all the congratulations ended, Locke turned back to me and jerked her head. “Your turn.”
