Page 11

Chapter eleven

W e rode most of the night through the thick forests that surrounded Castle Resnov. The crisp, fresh wind cleared away any thought of what was to come. We rode fast and hard, not stopping until our horses demanded rest.

When we returned, we followed the sounds of laughter and glassware clinching until we stumbled upon our family, crammed around a table in the dining kitchen, eating supper. When Deus entered, the room went silent. All eyes turned to my prince. I felt his unease ripple off him like waves of heat. He stiffened in the doorway, looking at those who had risked their lives to save him.

He cleared his voice, taking a brave step forward. “I want to first thank all of you for everything you did to rescue me,” he said. “I owe each of you a life debt, which I am sure none of you will let me forget. I also want to apologize for any pain or trauma I caused when I … when I wasn’t myself. I would never willingly hurt any of you. Your dedication and loyalty mean everything to me. Thank you.”

There was a moment of silence before Levi finally stood. He approached Deus, stopping as he stared his brother down. Then, Levi threw his arms around Deus and embraced him fully. The tension released in the room. Mammon and Belz were next, then Gor. He walked slower than normal, but he was up and moving, that’s what mattered.

Deus’s eyes filled with regret as he looked down at his youngest brother. “Gor, I am so so—” he tried to say.

“Don’t,” interrupted Gor. “All is forgiven.” Gor turned to me and smiled. “You’re a lucky man, brother. She never gave up on you … not for a second.”

Deus turned and smiled tenderly at me. “I don’t know what I did to earn the love of this amazing woman, but I plan to show her how thankful I am for her every day for the rest of my life.”

“Enough with all the emotions,” said Mammon from the table. “Sit, eat, drink.”

“I have to agree,” said Belz. “We’ve outsmarted big brother. That deserves a toast.”

“Seren outsmarted Lucy,” Levi clarified.

“To Seren,” said Giana, holding up a glass. “For always extending a hand to those less fortunate.”

“To Seren,” added Frankie, “for being the most loyal person I’ve ever known.”

Levi held his glass up. “To our goddess, for overcoming every obstacle.”

“For outsmarting and maneuvering the smartest and oldest thing in this world,” toasted Mammon.

“For being fearless, without any thought of her own wellbeing,” added Belz.

“To our little witch,” said Gor. “As reckless and as careless as you might be, I’d have you no other way. Your bravery is a testament to everything that you are.”

Deus picked up a glass and turned towards me. “To my mate,” he said tenderly. “For being everything I am not, and teaching me that everyone, no matter how scarred and flawed they may be, deserves to be loved.”

My eyes filled with tears as I looked at the family that I had found and the home I had chosen.

“To all of us,” I said, taking in their beautiful faces. “Together we stand. Together we fight. Together … we survive.”

Before we completed the toast, Mal and Hashen strolled through the door, looking more badass and devious than ever. I stood and hurtled into Hashen’s arms. He returned my affections with a simple pat on the back.

“There, there, little witch,” Hashen said in his deep voice. “All is well.”

“Are you okay?” I asked.

“Wouldn’t be the first time I was locked in a dungeon in Hell,” he replied.

Deus stood from his chair. Regret washed over his face as he stood looking at his two most trusted generals. “Hashen,” Deus whispered.

Hashen held out his hand, stopping him from continuing. “I’ve known you for many centuries, my prince. A few months of being locked in a dungeon isn’t going to change the grace you have shown me, nor the respect and loyalty I have for you. Though, I must say, I prefer this version of you over the other bastard.”

We all began to laugh, including Deus. He moved to stand face to face with Hashen. “Thank you, my friend,” he said, extending his hand.

Hashen took it with haste. “Of course, my prince.”

The rest of the evening was filled with love and laughter. We drank and ate around the table as if there wasn’t a potential apocalypse on the horizon. Towards the end of the night, Mal caught my attention, signaling for me to follow. I slid out of my chair while Belz retold the story of Gor and the tremonite creature from Hell.

I followed Mal out into the hall. “What’s going on?” I asked.

“I thought you’d might want to know about what has been transpiring in Hell.”

The heavy feeling in my gut returned. “I’m listening.”

There was a long pause before she finally said, “Nothing.”

“I’m sorry, what do you mean nothing?”

“Lucifer has done nothing but throw a temper tantrum since you took the prince and returned to earth.”

“That can’t be right. He vowed to destroy me and everything I love. He must be planning something.”

“As of right now, there have been no movements on his part. Things are more peaceful than they’ve been in decades down below. Hashen has agreed to return to Hell to keep an eye on things.”

I tried to think through what Lucifer could be planning, but my mind was exhausted, as was my body. I looked back to Mal. “Any word on where Victoria scurried off to?”

“I can look into it,” she replied.

“Good. And Mal, let’s just keep this between us. Deus is finally coming around. I don’t want to burden him with Victoria or anything regarding Lucifer right now.”

She bowed. “As you wish, princess.”

I laughed. “What did you call me?”

Her head tilted, her eyes confused. “Princess. That is what you are. The Princess of Lust.”

I examined her to determine if she was serious and then … I laughed and laughed hard. Harder than I had in weeks. “Me … the Princess of Lust?” I gasped, tryi ng to catch my breath.

“That is who you are,” said Mal in a firm voice. “If you are his mate, then you are my princess. I serve both Deus and you, Seren De Salvo. You have more than earned my devotion.”

“I think I have enough titles, don’t you? Witch, goddess, demon … princess seems a bit excessive.”

“If you are with the prince, then you are our princess. That is how this works.”

“So does that make Frankie the Princess of Envy?” I asked.

“No. Not unless she ends up being his mate or they marry, and she gifts her soul to him.”

“Excuse me?” I asked.

“I will leave Prince Resnov to explain the fine print of how our kingdoms work. All the same, I am honored to serve you. You are a great addition to House Lust.”

“Well … thank you … I think,” I replied with a small smile.

The door opened behind me, and Deus stepped to my side.

“There you are,” he said, assessing the situation between Mal and I. “Am I interrupting something?”

“Not at all, my prince,” answered Mal. “I was just explaining to the princess here how formalities within the houses work.”

Deus’s brows rose, his eyes settling on me as a smile stretched across his face. “Princess,” he said with a hint of surprise. “I never thought—”

“She is your mate, correct?” asked Mal sharply.

“Yes,” he replied.

“Then, that makes her the princess of our realm.”

“I suppose it does,” he said.

“You didn’t know?” I asked.

“I mean … I know how the hierarchy works, but none of us have ever fo und mates or taken wives. This matter has never needed our attention before.”

“Don’t worry, mate , I will willingly sign a prenuptial agreement. The kingdom of lust is all yours,” I said in a sarcastic growl.

He laughed, sliding his hands into his pockets, shaking his head.

“If that is all,” interrupted Mal, “I will be retiring for the evening.”

“Thank you,” I said before she headed to her room.

Deus pulled me into him, closer than we had been in a long time. “And what was all of that about?” he asked.

I shrugged. “Just girl talk.”

“Hm,” he growled, moving a piece of hair from my face. “Funny how this bond thing works. I can actually feel a little twist in my gut when you lie now. That is going to come in handy.”

I rolled my eyes. “Doesn’t mean I am going to tell you the truth,” I replied, pulling away. Before I got too far, he tugged me back into him, holding my arms in his strong hands.

“Love, I’d rather not have to go deep diving into that beautiful head of yours.”

I squared up to him in challenge. “I’d like to see you try.”

He arched an eyebrow, assessing me before laughing softly. Concern replaced his amusement. “Just promise me you aren’t running headfirst into danger.”

I forced a smile on my face. “I promise,” I lied.

He studied me a moment longer, as if he knew the truth. To avoid any further questioning, I decided to divulge a little of what I had learned, to throw him off my tracks.

“Mal told me that Lucifer has been quiet since we left. No gathering of armies or such.”

“Yes, but for how long?”

“Does it matter?” I asked. “If that means we get a few moments of peace and quiet, shouldn’t we take it?”

His face softened. I felt his finger gently rub along my arms—the first loving affection he had shown me since being back. “You’re right. After we check in with your family, why don’t you and I disappear for a few days? How does that sound?”

A smile stretched across my face uncontrollably. “Sounds like heaven.”

He rubbed the back of his knuckles down my face. “You’re my salvation, Seren. I never thought … I never knew what love could be, until you.”

I smiled, holding back the tears that fought to be free. “Everything I’ve had to endure has led me to you. My best friend. My lover. My mate.”

Deus cupped the back of my head gently, leaning down just enough that I could feel his breath on my face. His eyes searched mine, taking in every detail. “May I kiss you?” he asked.

“Always,” I replied. His lips slid across mine, testing the waters before softly pressing against my mouth. I inhaled, feeling a rush of joy, relief, and lust . I pulled him into me, needing more … needing everything. Everything he was willing to offer.

He pulled away, too soon for my liking, but I wanted him to be in control. If he needed time, I would give him that, no matter how little I might have left.

“So, tomorrow we face the Salvo women,” he said, taking my hand and leading us back to our bedroom.

“You’ve decided to come?”

“If it makes you happy, then yes.”

“I don’t think they’re going to be thrilled about my recent travels.”

He laughed. “Your nonna will be furious, but she will also be proud as hell. No pun intended.”

I smiled, thinking about the one situation I still hadn’t resolved that waited for me at home.

“What is it?” he asked.

“My … my mother. We really haven’t had time together since her soul was returned. I was too busy mourning you, and she was busy trying to live with all she had done.”

“Take it from one that knows, it’s no easy feat.”

“I know, but after everything, I think I want time with her. To get to know the real Annalise, not Lucifer’s puppet.”

“Then take that time, my love. Take all the time you need. You have it, now that you’ve tapped into the demon part of you,” he said with a grimace.

I stopped walking and pulled him back. “What was that?” I asked.

His gaze fell. “It’s just … Lucifer. A part of him is in you. It’s unsettling.”

“Well, is that something you can live with?”

“Do I have a choice?”

I took a step back in shock. “You sure as hell do. Mated or not, I can leave right now if it’s that big of an issue for you,” I said, turning to walk away.

He pulled me back against his torso, laughing, holding me close. “If the only good thing Lucifer does in his long existence is saving your life, then enemy or not, I will always be grateful to him.” He bent down, kissing me again. This time, his lips weren’t as hesitant. I breathed him in, the stir of desire awakening in me.

This time I pulled away first, resuming our path towards our bedroom. “That also means I won’t have the lifespan of a human. Or at least, that’s what Gor presumes.”

“Which means I am stuck with the most stubborn witch I’ve ever met for eternity. Lucky me.” He kissed the top of my head.

When we got back to our room, Deus showered, his new favorite pastime. I wanted to join him, but I didn’t want to push. After I showered, I found him standing in front of the fireplace, lost in thought. I approached with caution, touching the back of his arm softly. He jerked away, turning quicker than I could register.

He grabbed onto my shoulders, slamming me forcefully into the nearest wall. My head hit the bricks, my vision tunneling. I whimpered at the impact. Deus’s eyes were full of rage, but at the sound of my cry, his aggression dissipated.

He instantly released me, stepping back and looking at his hands in disbelief. “I’m so sorry,” he whispered, his voice full of pain. “I didn’t …” He fell to his knees in front of the fire.

I dropped beside him, placing a hand on his shoulder. “It’s okay, Deus. This is to be expected. What you’ve been through—”

He pulled away from my touch. “Don’t make excuses for me. I … I lost myself and hurt you. There is no rational reasoning that will ever make that okay.”

I grabbed his face between my hands. “Deus, look at me,” I demanded. He obeyed. “You’ve been tortured for what must have felt like eternity. You were stuck in a pit where your darkest moments and deepest regrets plagued you, ripping away everything that was good. Healing will take time. I know this, and I am here for it, but you need to give yourself permission to take the time to heal.”

He rubbed his thighs with his hands. “You’re right,” he whispered.

“I know,” I said playfully, relaxing a bit.

He smirked. “I’m sorry you have to go through this with me. I didn’t imagine this is how we’d be spending our first few months as mates.”

I scooted closer, looking at him playfully. “And what did you think those first few months would look like?”

He smiled at me. “You … me … never leaving that bed,” he said in a sensual voice that rolled through me in the most delicious and arousing way.

“Sounds like a dream.”

He turned his eyes back to the fire. His head hung in shame. “Seren … I want to wait before being with you in that manner. Until I have a grip on all of this.”

“What about your powers?” I asked.

He shook his head. “If it becomes a need, then we’ll deal with it, but … I want to be with you completely. Not like this. Not when I still can’t even stand the sight of myself.”

I leaned my head on his shoulder. “I understand,” I replied, pushing down a ping of disappointment.

“Thank you,” he said, kissing the top of my head. “I love you, my princess.”

I chuckled. “And I love you, my demon prince.”