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Sarika and Alicia covered their mouths with their hands as Imani’s mouth hung open. “She’s really playing with us like that?” Imani shook her head.
Eden laughed. “I guess so.”
“A demon husband and his comedian sister,” she groaned. “That’s all we need.”
I shot Arzen a seething gaze but she merely shrugged. Arzen threw her arm around Sarika’s shoulder, pulling her into her side as she grinned at Imani. “Come on, don’t you find life a little boring? You could all use a little excitement. Especially now that Eden’s life got longer.”
“What?” Eden’s eyes bulged.
I internally groaned. “About that…”
“If what Asmodeus told me is true, you have a demon heart in you now, love. That means you get a demon lifespan.” Arzen’s nonchalance was about to earn her a foot in her ass. I did my best to school my expression, unsure how Eden was about to take the news.
“Which is…” she looked at me.
I cleared my throat, suddenly nervous. “Long.”
My answer filled my chest with annoyance and I frowned. She wasn’t happy.
Arzen continued, Eden’s feelings not pouring into her the way they did me, so she didn’t realize she touched a nerve. “Maybe we could do a sister wives thing and get you all in the long life game too.” She wagged her brows. “You’re all such pretty things.”
Sarika laughed.
Fahmo had managed to climb onto my shoulders and I had to reach up to keep him from falling. His legs wrapped tightly around my neck and his hand hooked in the side of my mouth.
Hani laughed.
Eden shot me a look before she reached up and pried the boy who had effectively wrapped himself around my head off. Fahmo threw his weight back, his arms reaching for me. Eden’s steps faltered slightly with his displaced weight and she wrapped her arms tighter around him.
“Come on.” Arzen steered Sarika away from the church and down the steps. “Now that I have all my jokes out of my system, we should go eat something. I quite enjoy your breakfasts here. French Toast.” She smacked her lips at the thought. “I’m sure you need to feed your offspring and after you can sit in the park with a nice cup of coffee as we force Asmodeus to babysit them in the playground.”
“What?” I called after her as Alicia and Olivia fell into step behind them. “I don’t remember offering my services for childcare.”
“Pssh.” Arzen waved my words away. “He’s great with children. So… where to?”
“I know a place,” Olivia offered. “Do you come here often?”
Eden started down the steps after them, resting a comforting hand on the top of Imani’s shoulder. Fahmo continued to reach for me but stopped throwing his weight around.
Imani looked down at Hani and released a sigh.
“I will protect her with my life,” I assured when the girl wouldn’t release me. I lifted her higher, holding her as I saw Imani do before.
Her older son wrapped his hand in hers. “I’m hungry, mom. Can we go with them?”
She forced her eyes down to her son and smiled. “Sure, Diric. Let’s all go eat something.” Her steps were slightly hesitant, but she turned her back to me, giving me no option but to follow with her daughter in tow.
My throat tightened. It was a small thing, one I may not have noticed if I wasn’t bound to Eden but this was trust. Imani was accepting that I was who Eden claimed I was. That I was someone to be trusted with the things most precious to her.
“What’s your name?” Hani asked.
I ran my fingers gently over her stomach, making her squirm and erupt in giggles. “Asmodeus.”
46
EDEN
Two Weeks Later
