Page 30 of King's Obsession

“I can’t be pregnant.” Asmodeus tried thumping down on Dougal’s chest, and when that didn’t work, he slumped his chest down, so they rested together. “I can’t be.” Asmodeus’s voice broke. “People will see me.”

And that was the crux of the matter. Dougal wasn’t silly enough to think Asmodeus’s fears were going to disappear overnight, despite their mating, the fighting, and the successful party afterward. In the heart of his demon was a child who never believed he was good enough and who worried about how he looked to others constantly.

“It’ll be all right,” Dougal soothed, releasing Asmodeus’s wrists and making long stroking motions down his back with his palms. “It will be ages before you even start to show, so it’s not like you need to tell anyone just yet.”

“There’s never been a pregnant king. In our entire history, there has absolutely never been a pregnant king.” Asmodeus shuddered and then buried his face in Dougal’s neck.

“Just imagine how powerful that will make you and your family bloodline,” Dougal said with a smile, keeping his tone soft as he continued to stroke his mate’s back. “Rote will be writing entirely new scrolls about the mighty King Asmodeus, someone who ruled the demon realm with a fair heart and a firm hand. With his troll blissful one by his side, King Asmodeus was so keen on ensuring his bloodline could never be disputed, he willingly carried his first-born child himself, and never missed a day in his rule, despite that.”

Asmodeus’s shoulders tensed. “Are you taking the piss?”

“Nope.” Dougal made sure his mate could hear his honesty. “You said yourself no other king has done this, so turn it into an advantage, not a weakness, which it definitely isn’t. How many demons screw around on their partners? It’s not like they’ve bonded with blissful ones. Why do you think Scott got bullied so badly when he was little, by his own family? His skin was a lighter blue than what his family was used to, or expected. Are you going to tell me there hadn’t been a shit ton of fights between his parents about the origins of his genetics because of it? You, as the king, would set a strong example for future generations.”

Asmodeus didn’t say anything for a bit. Dougal kept his touches firm and quietly hummed.

“You’re happy about all this nonsense, aren’t you? Even though I sprayed your bathroom with toxic sludge, you’re still happy about a baby.”

“I am over the moon ecstatic about this,” Dougal agreed, giving his mate an extra squeeze. “Our love has endured so much for so long, I never dreamed this day would happen, and yet, here we are. I’m so proud and I couldn’t love you more than I do—you mean everything to me. That love has finally created a new life—a baby you and I will share.”

Asmodeus groaned into his neck. “What am I meant to say to that?”

“You don’t have to say anything at all. No one’s making you.” Dougal chuckled. “Did you want to try some toast and honey?”

“I suppose so.” Asmodeus’s stomach rumbled. “How long will this sickness business go on for? I don’t want to be waking up like that too often.”

“As long as it takes, babe, as long as it takes. We might need to speak to Rote about that when you feel up to sharing our happy news with others, but in the meantime, let’s just take one day at a time. Are you going to let me get up so I can get your food?”

“No.” Asmodeus clicked his fingers, and a wide plate filled with crispy toast and honey appeared. “I like it here. Your heartbeat comforts me.”

Not exactly a resounding acceptance of the pregnancy or the baby, but Dougal would take what he could get. The baby was going to come on their own schedule, and no amount of huffing, puffing, or claiming kingly status was going to change that. He reached for a slice of toast and munched into it, not even worrying about the crumbs in his beard. Life was good.

Chapter Eighteen

Asmodeus

It was all too much, how was he supposed to cope with this on top of everything else that had happened? How?

Yes, in principle, there had been thoughts of children but him pregnant… to the demon gods, whoever thought that was a good idea?

When did you get so whiny?

I’m not!His demon side was most definitely not whining.

You are. Look how cute Peni’s baby was all pink and fluffy.

Seriously! Did you miss the part where he threatened his mate with a knife, and us?

He blocked his human side when the laughter grew so loud it made his temples throb. “What a dick!”

“Who’s a dick?” Dougal peered up at him from the chair he’d sat down on after his return from the forest for his daily rounds.

He had offered Asmodeus to go with him, but he had remained a little queasy even after the toast and honey. “My human half.”

He reached out and patted his hand as Asmodeus passed on his next round of stomping. “I suspect he’s just delighted at the prospect of being a daddy.”

“Do you need to keep reminding me?” Asmodeus snapped, then stopped, took a breath and sat down in the chair next to Dougal, giving him an apologetic smile. “Sorry. My human side is laughing and calling me whiny. I’ve never been whiny in my entire life.”

Dougal coughed, and his lips quivered. Asmodeus' eyes narrowed on his blissful one. “I’m not whiny.”

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