"Taen!"

I nearly jolted out of the bed as I felt hands poking at my cheek. "The fuck do ya'll want?" I growled, sitting up and rubbing the crust out of my eyes. I hissed as pain shot up my back, making it my personal mission to kill Maddox for not taking it easy on me last night. I didn't think it mattered to him that I was carrying his own child but go off, I guess. 

"We need to get you ready for the banquet in a few hours," I made eye contact with Availa, who seemed oddly happy. "The fucking what?" I raised a brow as she pulled me out of the bed and was when I noticed the other servants behind her. "The banquet," That was all she said before she led me to the bathroom, where she and the other servants began to have their way with me.

I shivered as she demanded I strip and much to my surprise, I sat down in the porcelain bathroom, the soapy bath water soothing my sore body as one servant began to scrub me down with hellfire soap. Availa handed me a toothbrush to wash my teeth clean, giving me lava mouthwash to finish it off. 

Once I was clean and fresh, naked and confident as the day I was born, she handed me a pair of underwear to put on while she went to go retrieve my clothes along with the other servants. I stood there in the mirror, sitting down on the ledge of the wall, admiring my big stomach. Maddox seemed to like the weight I had gained in several areas (i.e my stomach, my thighs, etc), however, I was keeping up to date on them and working out as much as I could.

"So how's my little brother treating you?" Natanya peeked in, walking in to sit down next to me. I hadn't seen her since this whole kick Tion's ass event, so I was a bit unsure of where we were at. 
"Eh," I shrugged, realizing that I had gotten a bit bigger since I reunited with Maddox.

"You know, I've never really considered Synthella my mother. Like I know it wasn't her fault that she turned out the way she did and I'm glad that she protected you and my dad in Eden. I wasn't that sad when she gave up her life because I never really got to know her," She sounded really guilty and torn because she didn't want to be wrong that she didn't feel sad. 

"In a way," She turned to me with a teasing smirk. "You've become the mother I never had, Troy, even after the way we met and how we became close," She said. "I'm glad you caused trouble back on Earth because you are the key to my father's heart," She tilted her head, staring at me with a gentle smile and I smiled back, internally grimacing.

It was a bit weird because all I could think as I looked at Natanya was, 'I call your father daddy.' 

That would go over well at the next family reunion. 

"That was cuz' your father needed someone to push him and make him jump out that dumb ass routine he had," I grumbled and she chuckled, agreeing with him. "That he did, that he did," She replied and we looked at each other, reminiscing over the way things had come this far, how time changed us.

"Well, I suppose there's no one I'd want but you to become a part of the Kane family," She winked and I blinked like an idiot, wondering what she meant even as she had left. "Troy! I have some clothes for you!" Availa yelled from outside of the room and I told her to come in. "They better be some ripped jeans and a nice shirt or I'm kicking someone's ass!" I folded my arms, wanting to be comfortable and sexy all in one.

They were the clothes I wanted.

"What is this banquet for anyway?" I asked as I shifted in my clothing, walking behind Availa as she led me through the castle. She had dressed in my signature ripped black jeans with a white sheer button-down that I left untucked for obvious reasons. My arms were exposed, letting my beautiful out for everyone to see. I felt like I looked good as fuck and I was sure the baby knew it too, judging by the somersaults he was attempting inside of me. I couldn't get enough of watching Maddox talk in a baby voice to my stomach as he rubbed it. It was a sight to see.

"They are typically for celebrations where everyone gets a chance to say something about what it is that we're celebrating, and then we talk and we eat good food and dance," She cheered happily. "This is the first time we're having one, so I'm excited!" She threw her arm in the air and I looked at her. "Celebration for what?" I shrugged and she smirked at me, shaking her head. "You'll see."

That was all she said before we approached tall and large gold doors. I was taken aback because this was pretty much the only gold thing in the entire castle. She pushed open the door and before me was a large and spacious room, with a red and gold throne against the wall, carpeted stairs leading up to it. There were circular tables with white and gold tablecloths draped over the top and in the middle of the ceiling was a long diamond chandelier.

"Wow," I breathed as I saw almost all of the demons and humans dressed up in their fancy attire, chatting it up at the tables, eating the food that was served. Some of the music played sounded like some of the music that I listened to and I raised a brow, wondering what they knew about this.

"This is beautiful," I mused and Availa snickered. "Right this way, your Majesty," She said as she led me to a table with my name written on a gold placard. They were fancy. Next to me was Avery, my parents, and a couple of other demons. I could see Vee, Zavi, and Amona waving to him from Queen Hannah's side (I shall explain that later).

"It's starting now," Avery whispered to me and I stopped talking, seeing Nya take the platform in front of the microphone, looking all of us in the eye as the spotlight took heed. "I hope everyone got the food and drink that they wanted because now, it's time for the real part. This banquet is in honor of you, Troy," My eyes widened in confusion, wondering why they felt the need to do that. This was too much for little me. "I can say for all of us that we are glad to have you because you helped us get our demon lord back, even when you didn't have to. You sacrificed and you sacrificed and you gave us the hope and courage that we needed as a family," Her blue eyes glistened with tears as she leered at me.

"I admit that I hated you in the beginning but now," She shook her head and I didn't want her to feel guilty because I even I would hate me. I was an asshole. "You gave me the freedom I needed," She grinned for the first time in forever and I followed suit, knowing that she had nothing to thank me for. Everyone clapped as she took a seat, allowing for the next person, Jexan, to come up.

Was today praise Troy day or something? Did I miss the fucking memo?

"Troy, when we met for the first time, you called me all kinds of names. I was so appalled that someone who referenced me as a 'hash slinging slasher' was still alive, but now I know why," Jexan gave me side-eye and I snickered, finding myself to be very comical. "I think you are here for a reason, to give us back the life that we longed for, to give us the guidance that we lacked, to give us the reason to go on smiling. You gave our demon lord a purpose and for that," He bowed his head slightly, humility and grace rolling off of him. "I thank you."

I nodded to him, knowing that I enjoyed his presence too. He was quite entertaining, to say the least. I watched in amusement as the three kids shuffled their way up there, too short to reach the mic. 

They were so cute.

"Troy is the best!" Amona screeched and I snorted, loving how adorable she was. "Yes! He's my favorite! No one can take him from me!" Zavi pouted, laughter from the crowd rising. "We love Troy!" Vee cheered and I shook my head, covering my face. These children were something else, that was for sure.

"That was cute," Availa covered her mouth as she giggled, the kids storming over to me to give me a big hug on their way to their chairs. "Troy, because of you, I have returned to my status as a third division commander," She held up her hand, a large ball glowing from the palm. "Your empathy and your willingness to help is what Sir Alistair saw," She was probably talking about the times that I told Maddox about her and how I thought she was a useful asset to the team and he was missing out on her.

"Since you've been here, you've been one of my good friends, one that I could really confide in. You have brought change to the kingdom of Hell, and I hope that you bring more," She finished shyly and I couldn't stop the flutters in my heart. I had no clue these people thought the same but looking at them as they stared back at me, they indeed felt the same way.

All of a sudden, the sound of creaking gathered our attention and we turned our head like rats to see what was happening. We all watched as the gold doors swung closed, our jaws dropped as the sound of dress shoes clacked against the floor, the sound ricocheting in our ears. I could feel my body going rigid as I stoked my eyes upon that gracious yet devilish figure, twitching at the cocky smirk that was on those lips. 

It was clear we all stopped everything for nothing except the demon lord of all demons.

It was illegal how good he looked. The nice and snug black dress jeans that he had on, the ones that were clinging to every single morsel of skin, those were giving me PTSD. He was in a silky red button-down, the sleeves rolled to his elbows, exposing those sexy ass arm veins, and the top three buttons were undone and fuck me because my pathetic ass was drooling.

"God damn," I whispered dazedly as I took in the way his black hair was styled in such a way that a few strands hung over his eyes, giving him that fresh bedroom look. He looked so happy with that jazzy and white smile, looking more and more like the badass that I knew. "I need water," I told myself and there was a chuckle next to me. "Please control your thirst, Troy," I flipped a finger up at Avery, watching his sister Ayara stifle a laugh. She had come because Avery invited to whatever this event was supposed to be and she wanted to see him and her parents.

I watched as Natanya walked up to Maddox, it probably being the first time that they had seen each other in what had been forever, and all Natanya said was, "I'm proud of you," and Maddox looked at her, his eyes tearing up with joy and relief, his big arms reaching down to pull her into his grasp. "I'm so sorry, my daughter, I am sorry," He whispered over and over, rubbing her hair and she chuckled, shaking her head. "I forgave you a long time ago."

My dead heart was slowly coming back to life as I witnessed this touching moment, fuck. 

The two came over to sit down at the table where I was and Maddox slipped an arm around my chair, leaning in close to me as the scent of his spicy cologne calmed my senses. "Hey," He kissed me on the cheek. "Switch plates with me," I frowned, doing what he was. "Why?" I grumbled, hungrier than ever. "There was seafood on your plate. You're allergic, aren't you?" He asked and I nodded, feeling pleased that he was looking out. "Oh! I'm sorry, Taen!" Stefani blurted. "We were trying to make more food that you would eat so that you would feel at home!" She sounded so guilty and I waved a hand, letting her know I felt nothing.

"No need to worry," I smirked. "You're good. I felt at home since the day I came," I said as I turned my attention back to the person talking. "And now we will have a few words from our very own Sir Alistair," Jexan spoke as he stood in the center of the wall, just beneath the throne. Maddox seemed incredibly nervous as he got up, the claps of the many people in the room filling my ears as Maddox took center stage.

It was extremely quiet before he spoke and I could tell by the way his eyes were darting around that he was apprehensive. I was going to tell him to sit down so I could comfort him, but he began.

"The first time I met this kid, I had no clue what I wanted to do with him. Whether or not I wanted to kill him or let him live," Maddox sighed as if he was mulling over his past choices. "Obviously, I went with the latter and I'm glad I did because I know I made the best decision of my life. He came in and he left such a deep imprint on my life and I am who I am today because of him. When we were in Eden, fighting side by side, I had turned into my inner demon," There were hushed gasps among the crowd as they stared in slight fear. "But I didn't rampage like I normally would because I had him by my side to keep me calm," He confessed and everyone turned to gaze at me as I took a sip of water.

"It was confirmed right then and there that he was my soulmate. There's no way that anyone's inner demon could be kept at bay without them. Guys, I definitely didn't want to fall in love but I took one look at him, saw that gold heart of his and I knew I was done for. He fought for me and he gave me the strength that I never knew I was lacking. He has given me endless courage, endless confidence, endless everything," We all listened intently because it was unusual that Maddox talked about his feelings.

"Though he has the pottiest mouth one has ever heard, he puts me first when I put all of you first. He doesn't care about my status or the power that I have. He tells me like it is and he puts me in my place when he thinks I'm in over my head," That was for sure. You couldn't leave him alone for more than an hour. He started to think dark shit. "Every time I look at him, I'm so thankful to have this beauty sitting next to me and I think about how I could make tomorrow better for him, so that I could better for him that I was today," Maddox breathed and we all could hear the raw emotion just flowing off of his tongue like water.

"Every single day since he has been here, he has given me butterflies and whiplash all in one, but as he says himself, there's no way in hell that I would have it any other way," He scoffed and everyone in the room chuckled, ignoring the heat of my cheeks. "I remember when I thought I was in love with an angel a long time ago," He clicked his teeth and shook his head. "Now, it is clear to me that that wasn't love because what I feel now is no way similar to what I felt then," He rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly, blushing and all of the girls cooed. 

Not.

Going.

To.

Cry.

"I think it's pretty clear that I can't live without him," Maddox murmured before pulling something out of his back pocket, staring straight at me, unbeknownst to the fire that was raging in my chest. "So, Troy Victorino Morelli," He said with a confident smirk on those lips, his black falling in front of those mysterious eyes as he dropped down to one knee, popping open the box in his hand. "Will do you do me the honor of becoming my demon lady?" He asked and I stared in shock, much to my dismay. 

I stared at him and at that moment, a flashback of a conversation that I had with the physician before he let me go. "This was the last thing I had to talk to you about Troy. I had to make sure that you were comfortable with having a child before I put something else on you," The man seemed a bit wary as he sighed, not looking me in the eye.

"For you, this could potentially ruin any hope of a life you had a dream of living. For us, it means everything to us because we like you," He said and I furrowed a brow, motioning for him to get on with it. "Just rip it off, Hagan," I deadpanned and he took a deep breath, finally making eye contact with me. "When you and Sir Alistair defeated Tion with a decapitation, did you look at him?" I nodded in response. "As I was doing your assessment and making sure that you were okay, I found that there was an unusual silver glow around you. It was weird because only us demons have that since we came from Eden, the land of immortality," I blinked and blinked, aware of where he was going.

"Because you killed him along with Sir Alistair, you both absorbed his remaining power. Tion is strong, strong enough to grant the power of immortality," My eyes widened in disbelief, unsure of what to say. "Not only yourself, but the rest of the humans on Earth. Because it was you, you have opened the door for the other humans and I'm sure unlike you, they have noticed changes. Now, you have time to decide because you are carrying a child," The doctor explained and I gulped, realizing the severity of this situation.

"You can tell me that you don't want to live forever between now and the time that the baby is born because once he is born, your choice is already made for you," I slowly nodded, feeling intense pressure. Did I want to live forever with Maddox, or did I want to go back and live my life Troy style?

I stood up, not saying a word. I was sure that everyone in the room was panicking, Maddox included. I walked over to where he was kneeling and I looked down at him, reaching to grab that defined chin of his. I could see fear and unease in those gold orbs and I rolled my eyes, wondering why he was so afraid. He had my heart way before I knew it. "I guess I could," I shrugged, winking at him.

I had made my choice the moment we reunited. 

"Guess that makes you my demon lady now," Maddox grinned, the smile taking up his whole face as he slid on a ring with a giant ruby encased by diamonds onto my left finger, reaching up to kiss me as passionately as he did since I've been here.

"Taen!"

"Taen!"

"Taen!"

I chuckled as he swung me around as gently as he could, laughs and chuckles brightening up the air. He put me down, unable to control the cheesiness his face held, and that was when I remembered.

Smack!

"You owe these people an apology for putting yourself in danger! What the hell do you think they were gonna do if you had died?! Be more considerate of how we feel, asshole!" Like the puppy lord he was, his eyes drew up as his cheek reddened from my slap and he pouted, looking like a cute little dog instead of a threat.

"I'm sorry, baby," Maddox bowed his head and I rolled my eyes, putting his head on my shoulder as he held me in his arms, breathing together steadily. "As long as you know what you did," I retorted with no heat, and I moved in closer to him, closing my eyes in relishing in his touch. "I'm sure that it has to be you, so there's no way in hell that you're getting rid of me," I said and he squeezed me tightly, enticing a kick from the baby.

All of the demons laughed and I mused with a blooming heart, realizing that this was it.