I nod, not really wanting him to go, but not really wanting him poking through my thoughts either. I can tell he isn’t best pleased to be leaving either, but he goes knowing that I can’t hold my blocks up any longer.
“Where is Devon? And Jess?” I ask, as CK takes Lincoln’s place and takes my other hand.
“Devon is trying to find Cade,” Cole says in a tone that suggests he wishes he wasn’t, “and Jess has been swamped trying to keep the Underworld from finding out too much about your, uh, absence, and is having a rest.”
“Oh,” I say, a bit surprised. “Good thinking,” I add.
“Yes, well the less everyone knows about your business the better,” CK says, taking responsibility for this foresight. “We have been holding steady, but the girl is still young. I told her she could have a few days off now that you are awake.”
“Okay,” I say, as I have nothing else to add. “Erm, could someone please tell me where Xane is?”
“Who cares?” I hear Cole mutter under his breath, and I scowl at him. Not for very long though as Xane appears in front of me with a flourish.
“At your service,” he says with a smirk and a gallant bow.
I smile and hold my hand out for him, further pissing Cole off in the process. “One of these days, you are going to tell me how you do that,” I say as he bends down to kiss me.
“Maybe,” he says with a laugh. “I can’t reveal all of my secrets to you.”
Now I hear growling coming from both of my husbands, as they are no doubt wondering what secrets Xane has already been sharing with me. They should know, but I can’t tell them. They would go mental if they thought Hell was currently fighting over whose House I should be aligned with. Sadly, Xerxei’s word for it wasn’t quite enough for them and I don’t know how else I am supposed to prove I am a Dracul. Having said that, anything could have happened in the last three months. Xane did, however, say that Demon Trials can take years to resolve so I am not too worried.
“Anything I need to know?” I ask swiftly.
“Not yet,” he says conspiratorially.
I roll my eyes at him and he sits.
“Have you heard from or seen my mother?” I ask. “I am led to believe that She didn’t come to see me while I was laid up.” I am more than irked by that.
“No, sorry, Xerxei. My mother hasn’t seen or heard from Her for quite some time.” His frown tells me that it is unusual and worrying him.
“Is She still alive?” I blurt out into the sudden silence. “I mean what if Remiel’s first order of business was to exact his revenge?”
“I don’t think even he has the power to kill Tiamat,” CK says. “If he did, he may not have ended up in thirteen pieces in the first place.”
Well, true, but still, we know She can die.
“Other Liv is Empress because Tiamat died. Other Lincoln said so on the jet,” I press. “CK, you were there, you heard it.”
All eyes go to CK who shifts uncomfortably, no doubt remembering how awful that situation was. “Mm, well yes,” he admits. “It does seem to be the case over there, but,” he adds forcefully, “as we know, everything is different over there. We simply cannot base anything that happens over there with what happens over here.”
Also, true. I give up. If no one has anything insightful to offer, then the mystery of Her whereabouts will have to wait.
“As soon as you are strong enough you need to come to me,” Xane says. “We still have things that need sorting out, that need you there.”
“I know,” I say. “I will let you know when I feel up to it.”
He nods and says, “I should get back. I abruptly left a rather important meeting to come to see you.” He winks at me as he leans over to kiss me again.
I snicker as I can picture the faces of the people he vanished from.
“Soon,” he says to me against my lips and now I know he isn’t talking about work stuff, but something of a far more intimate nature. I nod once and he chucks me under the chin and Astraports out.
“Well?” Cole says as I close my eyes and don’t say anything.
“What?” I ask innocently.
“What needs sorting out down there, Liv? What is so important that it requires your presence?” he asks.