Zamiel's eyes widened in surprise. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. He wasn't sure whether to be happy or worried. What made her suddenly want to get married?
"Is that what you truly want?" He asked.
"Yes," she said without hesitance.
"What about becoming a ruler?"
"I will become a better ruler with you by my side." She smiled.
Zamiel didn't know what to say. He knew they would get married eventually, but he thought that he would have to wait. He was patient but at the same time there was nothing he wanted more than to be known as her husband and live with her.
"Don't you want that?" She asked when he didn't speak.
He took her hand. "There is nothing I want more. I live for you."
She smiled at him, that so heartmelting smile of hers. He wanted to see her smile and make her happy every day.
"I want to give you something more to live for," she said. "A family. A child. Our child."
A Child?
His heart skipped a beat every time he thought of having a child. He had to admit that he was scared, even though he did have a strong desire to once again feel the joy of holding his own flesh and blood. There was nothing more special than a moment like that.
Heaven noticed his worry. "You don't want children?"
"I do."
"But you are scared?" she said.
"I am. I want to protect you and my child this time. Our child."
Heaven caressed his cheek and smiled. "You don't have to worry. What is meant to happen will always happen. I know you will do your best and that is all that matters."
Zamiel knew he couldn't be afraid forever. He had to let go of his fear and enjoy having a life and a family with Heaven.
"You deserve everything good in this world. I want to give you all that I can," she continued.
Zamiel felt a warm, fuzzy feeling in his chest. He always felt like this was a dream and he would wake up soon, but it wasn't. This was real, and he was blessed to this woman. His woman. His heaven.
"I love you." He said and leaned in to kiss her.
She tasted like everything sweet and warm and smelled like spring and flowers. She wrapped her arms around him and pressed her soft body against his. She welcomed his touch and awakened his senses.
He had already been itching for her all day. It was mostly his gums that itched, and this time it wasn't just to bite her for pleasure. It was like he had an urge to renew the mark despite it still being there. It was the painful itching that made you unable to think of anything else. The urge to renew the mark was no fun.
Shifting swiftly, he placed her beneath him and continued to place kisses down her jaw and neck. Heaven leaned her head back and arched against him. Zamiel's gums ached from his fangs growing as he adorned her neck with kisses. He nipped at where the mark was placed, and his fangs grazed her skin.
Heaven writhed beneath him and buried her fingers in his hair. He didn't know whose heartbeat or heavy breathing he was hearing, but it suddenly became clear to his ears. He could feel the pulse at her neck against his lips. Avoiding the vein on her neck, he sank his fangs right where the previous mark was.
Heaven whimpered and grasped him harder. Zamiel felt the itching in his gums gradually ease and pleasure taking its place. He was lost in the heat of the moment, ignoring the concerning sounds he was hearing in the background. And the taste of her blood. It was different. He flicked his tongue over the wound and tasted the blood once again.
It couldn't be?
But many things started to fall into place. Heaven's tiredness, his sudden urge to bite her again and now the taste of her blood.
"What is wrong?" Heaven asked when he pulled away abruptly.
Zamiel leaned down and placed his ear near her belly. He listened.
"What are you doing?" Heaven asked.
He could hear his own and Heaven's heartbeat at first, but after a while, he heard an additional heartbeat. It was a faint sound and was only heard once in a while. Like the resting heartbeat of an ancient demon, it was very slow.
Zamiel looked up at Heaven, realizing what he just found out. He still had a hard time believing it. He was speechless. His mind stopped to function, and there was complete silence inside his head. He had thought that he would have to wait a long time before he was blessed with a child again. This seemed like a dream.
Heaven sat up, looking worried. "Zamiel? What is it?" she asked carefully, as if afraid of knowing the answer.
"Heaven."
"Yes."
"You are pregnant."
Heaven blinked a few times in disbelief. "But…" she put a hand on her stomach. "I don't feel anything. I would know," she said.
Zamiel guessed that because Heaven was part demon, the baby was mostly demon and that was why the heartbeat was so slow. Even he wouldn't have been able to tell a heart that beats only once in a while.
"It is early to tell, and it is your first time." He told her.
Heaven was quiet for a long moment. He knew that just like him, she would need some time for everything to sink in.
"I am pregnant," she said with her hand still on her stomach.
"Yes," Zamiel nodded.
He knew she wouldn't be happy about it. She had her goals and dreams to accomplish. He wanted to be happy, but he was so conflicted.
"I am pregnant," she repeated.
Zamiel became unsure of her reaction. Was she…
"I am pregnant." Her face lit up, and she smiled.
She was happy?
Zamiel felt relief wash over him. He could finally breathe and be happy about the news.
"Oh Zamiel." She wrapped her arms around him, and he hugged her back.
He couldn't help the tears that filled his eyes. He was going to have a child. It all felt surreal. The happiness he felt was overwhelming until he felt her stiffen. She drew back, and there was a frown between her eyebrows.
He sensed her worry and fear. "How can I tell my parents?" she said, her cheeks flushing a bright red.
"Heaven. They. Know." He told her.
Her parents knew how this worked. They weren't fools to think that they as mates spent time together without touching each other.
Heaven's whole face burned. "Oh," was all she managed to say.
Zamiel took her hands. "It is nothing to be ashamed of."
She took a deep breath and nodded. He could tell that she was dreading to tell them. Then suddenly she looked up with eyes wide.
"The war? I won't be able to become a general or rule now."
"Why? Because you are pregnant?" He asked.
She looked at him, confused, as if he should know why.
"The things that make you a woman shouldn't be a weakness or a hindrance. You can do the things you want to do all while embracing everything that makes you a woman." He told her.
"You think so?"
"I know so. I know you can do anything you set your mind to."
Heaven nodded looking determined.