Hephaestus grinned at Ingrid’s laugh. “I should imagine everything will be okay. My father might be . . . disgruntled, but he’ll appreciate the fact that at least we’re married now. I can’t speak for your parents, since I don’t know them. But our marriage was the intended result anyway.” He flopped his tail over Ingrid’s, silently relishing the term of endearment she used for him. “And if your parents are upset, they’ll have me to go through.” He leaned down in an attempt to nuzzle Ingrid’s head with a sudden wave of elation. “Everything will be okay. Anyone who tries to ruin this will receive my claws in their face.” He had never made an actual threat before, but he meant this one with everything in him.

“Ooh, baby, it’s a long way down, a long way down”