Chapter Sixteen

The next morning, Aliya went to the coffee shop near H&H. The place was crowded, but she had an idea to take in pastries for her, Jessica and Anya to enjoy. When she got to the counter, though, it was to have the barista tell her that the pastries were sold out, and fresh ones would be available in just a few minutes. The barista asked Aliya to have a seat, and told her she would bring them out to her.

Aliya found a seat just as a couple was leaving, snagged a copy of the morning paper and read while she sipped her coffee. As she read, the feeling of dread she’d had the last few days came back over her. She sat up straighter and lowered the paper.

A man sat across from her, his gaze intent. He was handsome, and looked to be in his early fifties. His dark eyes were penetrating, though, and made her uncomfortable.

“Hello,” she offered.

“There was no other seat. I hope you don’t mind.”

“Of course not. I’m just waiting for some pastries.”

“Delicious. I’m sure the ladies will enjoy them.”

She narrowed her eyes at him, then realized where she’d seen him—in the foyer of H&H just two days ago, when her first feelings of dread had appeared. It took her no time to figure out who he was.

Her heart felt as if it skipped several beats as the man stared at her, his eyes so like those of the man she now knew she loved.

“Matuse.”

“I’m here, love.” He appeared behind her, stroking her shoulder. “Father.”

“Matuse, how you’ve changed. Well, maybe not.”

“What are you doing here, Margon?”

“Why I’ve come to see the woman my son has fallen in love with, of course. She is a beauty, I’ll give you that.”

“You’ve been following me.” She turned her gaze to Matuse. “How could you not know that?”

“Because you didn’t make eye contact with him. If you had, I would have known.”

“Yes, and it was a hard thing to do. You felt me, though, Aliya. I know you did.”

“I felt darkness and doom.”

“Exactly.” He held out his hand a woman walking by them tripped. Only Matuse’s quick actions kept her from hitting the floor. He caught her and set her upright. She thanked him profusely before going on her way.

“I failed with him.” The disgust in Margon’s voice was obvious and he stood, buttoning his jacket. “Well, I’m off. I hope I get a wedding invitation.”

“Don’t count on it,” Matuse replied. “Before you go, tell me the truth about what you’re doing here.”

“I’ve already told you. I wanted to see the woman you’ve fallen for. The woman who will give me grandchildren.”

“Grandchildren you will never know,” Aliya responded. “You can bet on that.”

“Believe it if you like, but I’ve waited a long time, and I don’t intend to miss out on spoiling a little bundle of evil. I failed with my son. I won’t fail with the grandson you carry.”

He disappeared and Aliya turned to Matuse, who slumped into a chair next to her. “What does he mean?”

“What he means is he knows I love you, and want to mate with you. He intends to try and take any children we have.”

“But he said, the one I carry. Am I pregnant?”

“No, not yet. But only by the grace of me remembering at the last minute to hold back. Last night, when we were together. We mated, the lights, how hard we came, together. All it takes now is for you to say that you’re mine, forever.”

“Then I’m…” she stopped speaking when he put his fingers against her lips.

Her head spun, and seconds later they were in his office. He let go of her hands and began to pace.

“Aliya, I love you. I admit it freely.”

“And I love you. Why do you not want me to say the words?”

He ran his fingers through his hair and turned away from her. “You have no idea how hard it was growing up with demon blood. How hard it was to fight a nature that I hated. I can’t wish that on my children, or on you. I’m so sorry, my love.”

“But you did it. You made it through the whole thing on your own.”

“No, not on my own. I had the help of my mother. She’s a wonderful woman.”

She walked to him, wrapping her arms around him and putting her breasts against his chest. “Our children will have us. We can help them through anything.”

“Can we? My father just announced his intentions. He knows what happened last night. What he doesn’t know is I held back. He thinks you’re pregnant already.”

“I wish I was. I’ve seen how happy Anya is with her two lovers and the babies they have created. I want that. I want that happiness, with you. Please don’t deny me, deny us.”

“How can we, knowing he’s there, trying to spread his evil? How can we?”

“How can we not? I love you, and I’ve spent too many years letting my mother run my life. I’ll be damned if I’m going to let your father take over now that I’m free of her. We’ll fight him together when the time comes. I’m yours, Matuse, forever.”

“Oh, my Aliya, you don’t know what you’ve just done.”

“Yes, I do. I’ve told the man I love that I’m his. What does he have to say in response?”

“That I’m yours, forever, and I love you.” He caressed her cheek, then kissed her gently. “You’re a she-devil, in so many ways.”

She flashed a brilliant smile at him. “Who better to charm a demon? I do have one question, though.”

“Just one?” He stroked her backside. “Hum, three more pounds. I like it.”

“Will I be like you, and Anya, I mean, a Djinni?” She wrinkled her nose a little.

“Don’t you want to be?”

“I’m not sure. I’m the type of person who needs all the facts, first. So you’re going to have to tell me everything. Can I decide later?”

“Yes, you can. As my mate, you can take all the time in the world. And, when we’re ready for children, then they will come.”

“And will they be Djinn?”

“Yes, and part demon.”

She swallowed hard. “As long as you love me, we can face anything, together.”

“I do love you, Aliya.”

“Then kiss me like you mean it. And don’t ever let me go. Promise me.”

His lips were gentle, yet demanding, and he pulled her into a crushing embrace that stole the breath from her lungs.

“I promise. Forever.”

The End