Sethios relaxed against the headboard, beside Caro, content with Gabriel’s news. “Do you have an update?”

“Yes and no. The fated line is still withholding details—not that they will admit it—but I sense their hesitation. There is something they do not wish for us to know but have confirmed your progeny will possess unspeakable power. And have also insinuated the need to raise the child among Seraphim, not humans.”

“Your tone suggests you disagree,” Sethios noted. “Why?”

Gabriel blinked at him. “Seraphim do not speak in tones.”

“And now you’re avoiding my question.”

“I refuse to draw conclusions from conjecture,” Gabriel replied simply. “Therefore, it is not about disagreement but about uncertainty. They are speaking in riddles meant to provoke thought, not truth.”

“Prophecies are like that.” Or, at least, all the ones Sethios had heard were, anyway. “Why would they hide details?”

“Because they wish to shape the future.” Gabriel pushed off the door to enter the room. “That is why they sent my mother here under false pretenses rather than provide her with the knowledge of foresight. They desired your mating and must have felt forewarning her would have deterred her.” His light green eyes fell to his mother. “Do you agree?”

“Yes.” No hesitation from Caro. “But that’s the value of predicting the future—the ability to change it. That they did not wish for me to be aware of their vision proves their need to ensure it happened.”

Gabriel stopped beside the bed and tucked his hands into his leather jacket. “Which is why I want the whole prophecy, not pieces of it. They say you need to raise the child among Seraphim, but they won’t say why. While I can imagine several practical purposes, I suspect there is a specific reason for the requirement.”

Sethios’s eyebrows slid upward. “They are requiring we raise our child among your kind?”

“No.” Gabriel met his gaze. “They are requiring Caro to raise her child among our kind.”

“And me?” Sethios didn’t bother hiding his sarcasm. “What would they like me to do?”

Gabriel shrugged. “You were not mentioned.”

“Fascinating,” he replied. “So I’m free to do whatever I want.” Just as he always did. Good thing, too, because his choice would be to follow Caro and be a part of their child’s life. “I hope you have a big bed, angel. As you know, I like to sprawl out when I sleep.”

She gaped at him. “Excuse me?”

“I’ll be moving in.” He placed his palm over her abdomen. “This is my baby too. Your seers can fuck right off.”

Her lips formed a cute little “O.”

“You’re surprised.” He lifted his hand to cup her face. “What did you expect me to do?”

“I… I didn’t expect anything.” She swallowed visibly. “I hadn’t considered it.”

“Well, now you don’t have to, because I’m not going anywhere, Caro.”

Emotion brightened her gaze, electrifying her features.

God, he found her beautiful before, but she appeared positively radiant now. Passion and adoration were two sentiments she needed to display more often. He would endeavor to spark those reactions from her whenever possible.