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yow, that feels good. I start to reconsider my avoidance strategy. Maybe my lust demon and I only need to spend more time together. After all, Lincoln and I see each other so rarely, and then mostly in public. Not a lot of bonding opportunities, there.
    From across the mansion, I hear the unmistakable sound of the front door opening.
    Someone’s home. Huh. Can’t decide if that’s a good thing or a bad thing.
    â€œMyla, is that you?”
    I cup my hand by my mouth. “Yeah, Mom. I’m in the kitchen.”
    Dad’s voice sounds next. “We brought pizza!”
    Lincoln nips my ear with his teeth, sending one last shiver of desire down my belly. “We’ll have to continue this discussion later.” He steps away and leans against the opposite counter. We share an awkward smile while my inner lust demon coils and fumes inside my soul. She isn’t happy about this situation. Not one bit.
    But for now, there’s nothing either of us can do about it.

Chapter Five
    My parents, Lincoln and I sit around the kitchen table, polishing off our second pepperoni pizza. Dad nibbles at his slice for show; the rest of us chow down.
    Mom positively beams at Lincoln. “It’s such a treat to see you.” With her auburn hair, curvy body, and long dragon-scale tail, my mother looks like an older version of me, only in a purple suit.
    â€œGood to be seen,” says Lincoln.
    Mom glances at the wall clock. “Aren’t you usually back in Antrum by now?”
    â€œYes, but I’d like to stay for a while, if that’s alright with you.”
    â€œOf course,” says Mom. “It’s kind of your parents to spare you.”
    â€œMother will have her price, as always.”
    I stop mid-chew. If Queen Octavia has a price, I’m probably not going to like it. “What is it?”
    Lincoln stares at me out of his right eye. “You know what she wants, Myla.”
    Oh, crap. Now, I remember.
    There’s one thing Lincoln’s Mom has been going on about for weeks: a Ball of Welcome in my honor. So far, I’ve been dodging her, saying that a Ball would take me away from Purgatory for too long. But now that Lincoln is MIA from Antrum to help me, I can’t really say I won’t leave Purgatory for her. I make my yuck-face. “Yeah, I know what she wants, alright.”
    Mom’s eyes sparkle with hidden laughter. “She already contacted me about it. Requested that your father and I attend as well.”
    Dad leans back in his chair. “You’re not alone, Myla. Formal events aren’t my favorite thing, either.”
    My father and I share a smile. He has handsome features, a chiseled jawline, cocoa-colored skin, and bright blue eyes. His grey suit hangs a little loose on his once-buff frame. Armageddon imprisoned Dad in Hell for nearly two decades. I freed my father a few months ago, but Dad’s still not back to full strength.
    â€œLet’s move onto more pleasant topics.” Dad rubs his palms together. “Anything in particular you two want to discuss tonight? Future plans, maybe?”
    I roll my eyes. No question what Dad’s hinting around about. As an archangel, my father’s been alive since the beginning of time. Until I came along, he never had a child. Now that he’s got the hang of it, he wants me married and giving him a grandkid, pronto.
    I’m having none of it. “We’re not talking about weddings right now.”
    â€œThen, I’ll ask someone else.” Dad turns to Lincoln. “Anything you want to say?”
    â€œIf I were enacting the thrax betrothal ceremony for a High Prince,” says Lincoln. “I wouldn’t do it over pizza. To begin with, it takes time to get the betrothal jewels out of the Royal Vaults.” He sets his hand on mine. “And it all requires far more of a sense of occasion.”
    Marriage. The thought buzzes through my nervous system, charging every