Part 39

Zeus was standing in the hallway. Of course, things couldn't go her way for once in life. The pregnant woman should have expected it to happen. Later than sooner. She immediately pulled herself away, jumping at the voice that boomed throughout the room.

"F-Father?!" Talia's voice was merely a whisper, air caught in her throat. She couldn't scream even if she wanted to, eyes wide as the moon princess noticed her father stalking towards them. He had a murderous glint in his eyes; hands curled into fists.

"How dare you show your face again?" The echo of his voice made the hair on the back of her neck stand. She clutched the sleeves of Lukas shirt, breathing coming out in short gasps. Her mate patted the back of her hand.

"My lord, please listen to me..."

Zeus sharply cut him 0ff. "Listen to you? I am going to kill you, little spawn! You dare enter my Castle and take my daughter without permission."

Lukas was getting angry now. She could see it in his change of expressions the clenched jaw as if he was trying to hold back. Patiently, the Demon King took a step forward, lips set in a firm line. "Talia is my mate. I'm taking her with me."

"I'm not going to let you measly creature do that again and make my daughter miserable. Count your seconds." Zeus was ready to attack.

Talia quickly slapped a hand over her mouth to hush her hysterical noises, and soon, her eyes started to water, dread and sadness kicking in just as fast as the anger had only minutes ago. The muscles in her abdomen spasmed as her muffled words became garbled whines and moans, knees threatening to buckle under the weight. She sobbed brokenly, mouth hung open in the most unattractive way as the sounds crawled out past her lips and rang into the space of the room.

The pregnant woman did not want the history to repeat, especially with her father and Lukas not being on the same terms. She was not ready to suffer by leaving either one of them. Why was her father so irrational? He could at least try to hear out Lukas side of the story so as not to have the same misunderstanding.

Another spark of anger zipped through her body, and she grabbed the first thing in her blurry vision for support, the bedpost. It's cold in her clammy palms, only for a second. Talia managed to wipe out her eyes clear with the inside of her shirt, gasping in the chilly air that made her throat constrict even more.

"Father—"

"I won't hear you defending him again, Talia. Why do you still insist on going back with him?"

It's torture, slow and painful like being cut with a dull blade, hearing her father ask the same thing. Did Ajaxson manage to manipulate the God of Lightning with his sob story? She didn't think that was possible.

Before she could get a word out, loud footsteps echoed in her direction. The heady steps of heels clacking against the floor sounded all too familiar. They all froze.

"Talia..." Clio had a grin, only for it to disappear when the nymph sensed the tension in the room. Her eyes widened, taking in Lukas standing in the middle of it all.

"Are you okay...?" Her sister trailed off, swivelling her head to look around the room.

Smacking her hands down on her thighs, Talia huffed a chuckle, looking very much manic, "What does it look like, my dear sister? Father wants me to stay. He is still angry with Lukas."

As she said those words, it sounded ridiculous to her ears. How can Zeus pretend to still hold a grudge over Lukas? He was fine just a few hours ago, handing her such an emotional and thoughtful gift, overall being himself. Until that abrupt change.

Clio opened her mouth but got caught off by a red-faced, frustrated Zeus, raising his finger at her, "I won't hear another word! You need to go and be with your husband, daughter of mine. This doesn't involve you."

"That's my sister!" Clio yelled, tears rolling down her face. "I won't let you make the same mistake, father. Please stop this madness! She's happy and in love with her mate."

His lips pursed tight as if the God of Lightning wanted to yell at his daughter again when Talia had enough. She didn't want others to take burn of her mistakes.

"Father!" Her voice rose to get his attention, relaxing immediately. "Will you please calm down? We can't have a proper conversation when you're screaming at us." Her arms fell to her sides and slumped slightly inward, sighing a weak apology. She wanted them to get a chance to come clean. Especially Lukas, who did so much for her. "This might seem crazy but maybe." Talia dreaded the words that were about to leave her lips, but they came out regardless. "Maybe you should listen to his side of the story. You had no problem giving Ajaxson the benefit of the doubt. Then why not Lukas? You handed me the book written by him but did you read it? If yes, then you would know the emotions behind his actions, the honesty and his love for me."

There it was—the cry ripping at her throat again, cupping her eyes again to press the tears back. A whine escaped high in her throat; Lukas immediately came over to the pregnant woman, coddling her like a parent would with their child. He shushed his mate softly, rubbing her matted hair down.

"Please don't cry, my love."

Zeus chuckled bitterly, nodding his head. "Fine, what is it that he so desperately wants to say? I will be ready to hear."

The Demon King parted away from Talia, a grim expression taking over his features. He closed his eyes and muttered something under his breath which created another portal in the room. A meek young woman stepped out, her shoulders frail and arms wrapped around the tiny waist. Her eyes went wide when she noticed Zeus standing in the room, immediately bowing down to him.

"It's fine if you don't wish to hear me out, my lord." Lukas started. "But I'm sure you would love to hear it from the woman who died in the hands of Ajaxson."

Talia gasped, gawking at the frail woman. She snapped her attention back at Lukas, who nodded his head.

"She was sadly sent to hell where no one could trace her. It was all Ajaxson's doing. Fortunately, I found her. She will tell you the rest of the story."

The young woman was a nymph in Olympus when Ajaxson lusted after her. She was not interested in being with him at all, familiar about his drinking problems. However, the Greek God couldn't bear the rejection. He lashed out on her and in fit of anger decided to attack the nymph, successful in taking her life.

She kept on sobbing the entire time, her cries sharp and piercing to Talia. Ajaxson was a wolf in sheep clothing, hiding his dark secrets behind that friendly smile. It scared the pregnant woman that she could have had the same fate if not for Lukas.

Zeus almost collapsed, collecting himself very last minute by sitting on the nearby couch. "I cannot believe it! He fooled me twice!"

He fell on his knees, tears escaping his eyes and appearing the very image of a broken man. Talia and Clio immediately went by his side, trying to console their father. Taking lungful of air, Zeus got on his feet and turned to Lukas.

"You can take my daughter away. I will find a way to deal with Ajaxson." He cleared his throat. "All this turn, I believed I was respecting a promise made to Ajaxson's parents. I won't let my daughter suffer the same fate as this woman."

Her face broke out in a grin, eyes lighting up as those words soaked in. Talia let out a squeal, rushing to hug her father. The God of Lightning chuckled, patting her back. Tears flowed down her cheeks, happy ones for a change.

"Don't forget your old man."

"Never", She whispered. "Besides, you'll visit your grandchildren, won't you?"

"Of course!"

***

The worst of their problems were over with, meaning Talia could breathe easier now. Dean joined them in a small cottage, as it's still risky stepping into Hell. Now that Ajaxson would be even more pissed at the change of plans.

Lukas immediately got busy in his study, which was few rooms away. Her mate assured her he would be back soon. So the moon princess spent most of her time disturbing the others, primarily Dean. Today was no different.

"Dean." She sing sang, slumping on the chair at a far corner of the room. The long desk beside her held stacks of papers which Talia chose to ignore.

"You know, I liked you better when you were quiet and- ow!" The guard exclaimed at the end of his groaning about her annoyance when her sharp nails hit his arm with deadly precision.

"You adore me, shut up." It was safe to say the moon princess got settled in. She thought it had something to do with the pregnancy hormones.

"How does my King deal with you?" The guard grumbled, but his eyes told a different story. They were full of delight, so she knew that he was somewhat happy that Talia was acting this way. She couldn't help it. It was so good to be back with Lukas.

***