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Lucifer scowled, “No one can know.”

“Shouldn’t she at least know? And don’t insinuate she does. She’s my mate.”

“Don’t you start a territorial war with me, Dragon King. She is my blood.” Lucifer hissed.

“Lucifer!” Alessandro was trying to hold back the urge to shake the man.

Lilith appeared beside them. “Would you two like a microphone to ensure everyone can hear your conversation?” Her face was splotchy with anger, her eyes rimmed red and glazed.

The child in Alessandro’s arms wiggled for a second before his breath evened back out.

Alessandro glanced around and noticed there were several dragons coming close, as if trying to decipher the whispered argument.

“I would take several steps back if I were you, Janio.”

The water-dragon, who had been the closest, did as bid. The rest followed suit.

“I suggest you recall that you’re the one who sunk your teeth into our Rowan, even after you found the divinity present in her demon lineage. You were ready to take the consequences of that decision, and that shouldn’t change now that you know where it came from.” Lilith said evenly.

Alessandro let out a displeased growl. “It doesn’t affect my decision in the slightest. But I’m sure it will affect her opinion of you when she finds out the truth.”

Panic took over her face. “This doesn’t concern you. You mustn’t be the one to reveal it.”

“Now that I know about it, I can’t conceal it from her. She is my mate.”

“Can you truly say that when you didn’t know of our relationship with her?” Lilith hissed, “Your mark is unsettled, worm.”

His dragon reared up in rage.

“Don’t,” Alessandro warned quietly, keeping his nephew in mind.

Lucifer’s eyes widened. “What does that mean?”

The smug look the black-haired woman wore threatened to break Alessandro’s control. She hadn’t been sure until his reaction cemented her theory.

“She chose me.” Alessandro spoke slowly. “I will not betray her trust to keep your secret. You have one week to figure it the fuck out and tell her yourselves.”

The child in Alessandro’s arms fussed.

He glanced down and sleepy blue eyes blinked open, as if making sure what he was seeing was true.

A giant smile took over Ciel’s face, and he wrapped his arms around Alessandro’s neck, choking him with his excitement. It melted the anger he’d felt growing out of check.

Alessandro chuckled as he tried to wrangle the child off. “Did you sleep well, little one?”

“Ciel is hungry!” Ciel crawled over Alessandro’s head to sit himself on his shoulders, “Onward, Unc Sando.”

Alessandro, knowing the only thing that stood between Ciel turning into an outright brat, relied heavily on how fast he could get food in his belly, laughed, “Alright, alright, give me just a second, okay?”

Ciel groaned, but crossed his arms over Alessandro’s head and settled his chin into them as he waited as patiently as a hungry five-year-old could.

“Look, we’re going to have to deal with each other more than we’ve ever had in the past, Lilith. I’d rather we work towards a more amicable future for Rowan’s sake, but I’ll never bow my head to your insensitivity, especially with her. One week.”

And Ciel’s small hands were pulling at Alessandro’s hair to guide him as he turned.

Chapter 31

Rowan felt the moment the air became charged with danger. She’d been in the middle of shotgunning a pre-made cocktail with Blaise, Stone, and Louisa when the explosion of magic licked against her skin.