Part 40

Talia soaked it all in, the exasperated sigh of Dean, his laughing lines and the fake frown he carried. Strangely being caged in Olympus made her miss all of it. Even Hell. The place she used to hate so much in the beginning that the thought of being trapped there forever made her nauseous. Now she couldn't wait to go back and meet everyone. Especially Kira and Lauren. They must be waiting for her.

Sitting in the strange little cottage that didn't even belong to them, the moon princess felt lost. She had no idea when or how the situation will be controlled with Ajaxson. Her father did promise to take care of it, but she doubted he would be able to stop that obsessive Greek God. They have to find another way.

Suddenly she was aware that, Talia wasn't alone anymore but sitting in front of the guard who was staring at her. The pregnant woman sheepishly smiled, cheeks flushing for spacing out on him. He didn't take any offence.

"Dean..." She cleared her throat. "Can I ask you something?"

The guard shrugged his shoulders in response.

"Who is looking after Hell now? I mean with Lukas not handling the throne, how are they managing to run that place?"

Talia knew that it's a task to look after such a huge place. Lukas must be seriously applauded for handling his entire kingdom.

Dean let out a sigh, rubbing his face. "Frankly, it's getting difficult, but Leo is trying to maintain balance. Lord Hades visited the place recently to show his support for our King."

The mention of Hades caused her to relive a sigh. She was aware that he might have helped Lukas to get to Olympus. Talia should thank him for all support even after everything went down. He was a true friend.

"That's nice of him." She murmured. "I should invite him over along with his wife once we go back to Hell. What do you think?"

"I think that it's a wonderful idea."

Before she could reply to him, they heard loud footsteps approaching their direction. Talia was quick to take a defensive position, a hand around her pregnant belly. As soon as the person came to light, she let out a sigh.

It was a guard. Ever since they settled in the tiny cottage, Lukas arranged guards everywhere for their safety. She believed that he's extra cautious after the incident back in Hell. Talia cannot blame him for that. It changed both of them as a person.

"Miss Talia, my lord is looking for you. He's in the study." The guard stayed rooted near the door; his head bowed down.

Talia nodded happily at the mention of her mate and turned to Dean. "I'll be back."

"Take your time."

***

She knocked on the oak wood doors before opening them and entering. It was like a mini version of the library, only papers and other essential notes pinned up on the walls. Lukas sat at a large desk, writing something with a black-feather quill.

"The guard said you wanted to see me?" Talia asked, closing the door behind her with a click.

The demon King nodded, resting the quill on his desk before tilting his head. He gestured for the pregnant woman to come closer, and Talia did, rushing to him and crawling on top of his lap. The chair creaked under their weight, but he placed his hands on her hips, securing her firmly.

"You are so gorgeous, my love. Takes my breath away every time."

A blush crawled across her cheeks, toes curling around either side of the chair. She snaked her arms around his neck. "Is this why you called me? To flirt with me?"

His rich, smooth laughter echoed around the room, making her abdomen clench tightly. It's been so long since she heard that genuine sound ringing in her ears.

"That and I wanted to tell you something."

"I'm listening."

"I think I might have to leave to Underworld very soon. It's only for a couple of days, but I'll be gone for some time." Lukas started, his lips twisting.

A frown settled over her feature, mood visibly dampened. Talia was looking forward to spending some time together now that they were out of danger. Not entirely, but at least they were together, so that counted for something. She tightened her grip.

"You want to see Hades again? But why? Did he call you?" Talia asked, cupping his face in her delicate hands. He took it as an invitation to press a kiss onto her palms before answering, making her heart flutter pleasantly.

"I still have some people to chase down along with Ajaxson. My entire army is in Hell." He let out a sigh. "I cannot go back in there without causing some serious repercussions."

"And I cannot take you with me everywhere. It's too dangerous."

Her frown deepened. She understood that Lukas had to leave, but that didn't mean that Talia was ecstatic about it.

The young woman leaned down to press a kiss onto his lips, who responded immediately to her movements. The first press of her lips to his was warm, a bit rushed - angle not quite right, and pace hurried, restless and desperate. Talia sighed into it, grabbing at the fabric of his shirt and feeling the heat from his abdomen against her fingers. It only took a few seconds to undo the buttons on his shirt, flattening her hands against Lukas stomach and feeling the muscles go taut against her.

"Baby." He breathed out, kissing under her ear. Wrapping his arms around her body to pull her closer, Lukas sucked a sharp breath.

"It's been too long since I've touched you." He said in response to her bewildered expression when he lifted her up by her upper thighs. Blush flared on her cheeks; Talia bit her bottom lip to control moans threatening to escape.

"Well then, what are you waiting for?" She

asked with a hint of a smirk, allowing him to kiss down her neck in a sultry manner, humming out in pleasure when the Demon King nipped at the spot behind her ear.

Talia lost her breath when Lukas carried her to the bed, plopping her down and climbing on top of her body with a predatory glint in his eyes. She gripped onto the headboard. Lukas began to grind their bodies together in a torturously slow figure-eight motion.

"Please," She breathed, a tremor wracking her body when her mate rucked the fabric of her shirt up to her bare chest, exposing her skin to the cool air of the room and the heat of his gaze. Talia let Lukas take her shirt off, whimpering quietly when the tips of his fingers brushed teasingly on her nipples.

A sudden rush of awareness pinched at her, and she found herself curling her arms over the bulging stomach automatically, hiding. Her cheeks went red. She sucked in a breath when Lukas grabbed her arms, gently moving them to the sides.

"Let me see you," He said, voice steady. "You're beautiful. No matter what."

The word washed over her, bathed in sincerity and awe. Talia shuddered, tension draining from her body to be replaced by assurance as she nodded her head.

"Please make love to me, Lukas."

***

It was quiet for a while, just the soft sounds of their harsh breathing, crickets and other critters. Sweat glistened their bodies, lips curled in a delightful smile as they snuggled deeper into covers. Maybe it was all that pent up feelings they suppressed, as both of them could not stop biting and marking each other.

Talia felt her mate rubbing at the swelling of her stomach, a warm smile curling around his lips, eyes fond.

"I cannot wait for this baby to join our family."

Tears stung her eyes. She was so overwhelmed, breathing into his scent, having his hand around her while he pressed from behind. His cold breathing hit the juncture of her neck, heartbeat echoing loudly, which made Talia feel protected and fuzzy. Like she's in a cocoon.

"Me too," She sniffled.

"Please don't cry, baby." Lukas cooed, his thumb coming over to brush her tears. She pitifully whined, tucking her face deeper into the pillow and letting out a harsh breath.

"I thought I would never see you again."

He turned her over.

"Me too, but nothing can tear us apart this time. I promise you."

It sounded superficial, knowing the kind of forces waiting for them to be separated. Still, Talia nodded her head for the sake of him. Her hand went up to his hair, tangling in between the knots, "I believe you."

"Good. Now you need to get some sleep. You must be tired."

The moon princess bobbed her head. The portal was a piece of a walk, but still, she felt restless and tired. Talia blamed it all on her raging hormones. "I will but please sing something for our baby and me."

It was such an odd request that Lukas looked at her questioningly, but she wasn't backing down. His hand slipped around her stomach, and he pulled her close. It was only after five whole minutes when he began to hum under his breath.

Lukas deep voice was so alluring even when he spoke, but when he sang, Talia couldn't breathe. It was so deep and raspy, showing emotion yet hiding everything from the world.

Talia immediately recognised the hum of the song, lyrics coming to life. She wanted to ask him, but before that, her eyes drooped and the pregnant woman drifted off to sleep.

***