Page 14

Chapter fourteen

T he air was crisp and the moon shined brightly in the sky. It appeared so close; if I reached out, I swore I would have been able to touch it.

The ocean waves pattered against the shoreline in a soothing rhythm. We stood on the beach, looking out into the night sky that was filled with thousands of bright, burning stars. I smiled, the weight of the world releasing its hold on me.

Deus exhaled with relief. “I’m glad you like it,” he said softly.

On the other side of the beach, a few yards away, was a beautiful white stone house. Large windows faced the ocean, and soft lighting illuminated the interior. Deus took my hand and led me up a path lit with candles. Bright and vibrant flowers met the sand, growing from the dry surface.

He led me up the white stone stairs until we arrived at two beautifully carved wooden doors. “Where are we?” I asked.

“Our own private Island. We’re near New Zealand.”

“Our?” I asked.

“Everything I own, you now have access and rights to.”

“When did you have time to do all of that?”

He dropped his eyes. “When I was searching for you. When Lucifer took you, I had Mal draw up all the paperwork. Focusing on the future … looking forward to sharing all of this with you gave me hope that I would find you again.”

I stroked his arm, stepping nearer with a grin. “So, you mean to tell me that I own my own island?”

The sorrow left his eyes as they met mine. “Yes, mate. Along with fifty-seven other properties around the world. Over two thousand businesses, forty-three cars, two planes, two yachts and a few other smaller items.”

My mouth gaped. “What?”

His smile grew. He wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me into him. “You are disgustingly wealthy, my love. And I plan to serve this world up to you on a golden platter, however you prefer it.” He leaned down and kissed me.

He pushed the doors open to a foyer with tall ceilings and an intricate abstract glass chandelier. The white walls were decorated with modern paintings of figures in the nude. The floors were laced with flecks of blue and gold that contrasted vibrantly against the white base. To the side, a large winding staircase led up to the second level.

Deus pulled me into the room to the left, a library. The colors were so much lighter than our home back in the mountains. An electric fireplace hummed in the wall and a painting hung above the fireplace of … me.

I turned back to him with surprise. He shrugged.

“What can I say? I’m a collector of art and I find this specific subject to be quite captivating. Plus,” he said, wrapping his arms around me from behind, “the lady of the house should be on display for everyone to see. Don’t you think?”

I laughed. “Thankfully, I’m not nude in the picture like the rest of the paintings around here.”

“Oh, that can most definitely be arranged.”

Books adorned the shelves. Comfortable furniture of the highest quality was scattered throughout the house. The kitchen was modern and sleek, with the newest appliances and fixtures. The front of the house had a large porch that overlooked the wild and intricate jungle that made up the center of the island.

Upstairs, three bedrooms spaced widely apart were lavishly decorated with soft bedding and accessories. Deus pulled me up the stairs to the third floor where a large master suit awaited.

The entire room was made of glass, every wall and even the ceiling. From this point, we could see the entire oasis. A balcony with a firepit faced the ocean and wrapped around the suite. Dressers, a bathroom with a rainforest shower, and a deep soaking tub lined the room. In the center sat a large circular bed. The sheets were as white as snow with a few blue and teal decorative pillows.

“This place is …” I said, losing my words.

“I hoped you’d like it,” he replied. I took in the beauty of room and the island beyond. “There’s a beautiful water fall not too far from here, along with a cave that leads to the most breathtaking view.”

“I don’t see any other houses.”

“That’s because there are none. We are the only ones on this island.” I looked at him questioningly. “I promised it would be just the two of us, didn’t I?”

“This is breathtaking, Deus. Truly.”

“I’m glad you think so. What would you like to do first?”

I slid open the glass panel to the balcony, feeling the rush of the ocean breeze across my face. The firepit next to the seating area lit with a flick of my wrist.

“I think I’d just like to sit for a while. Will you join me?” I asked, extending my hand out to him.

He laced his fingers with mine. “Always.” We sat in an oversized cushioned chair. He pulled me into his body, wrapping me up in his embrace as we sat in silence, lulled by the crashing waves of the ocean.

At some point I must have fallen asleep, for when I woke, I had been moved to the soft bed in the center of our room. I stretched out, feeling the ocean mist clinging to the sheets. I turned over and to my surprise, Deus was next to me. He smiled, brushing his fingers along the angle of my jaw.

“Good morning, my love,” he said.

“Morning, demon,” I replied, nuzzling into the soft pillow.

He laughed. “How did you sleep?”

“More soundly than I have in a long time.”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

“And you?”

“I woke a few times, but it seems you smacked most of the night terrors away.”

I giggled, pulling the sheets over my mouth to hide my grin. He smiled, reaching for my hand. “Yes … about that,” I said.

“Would I be lesser of a man if I admitted that it actually stung?”

“What can I say? Demon strength and all.”

“Oh, and did the demon force you to assault me?”

“No … that was all my own doing.”

“Is that so?” He pushed me to my back and began to tickle me. I laughed and thrashed, trying to fight him, but his strength was overbearing .

“Stop! Stop!” I pleaded, but he continued until I felt like I was going to die from the lack of oxygen.

“Say you’re sorry,” he said, still pinning me down to the bed.

“I don’t want to lie to my mate,” I replied.

He shook his head. “Stubborn little witch.”

“Overbearing demon prince.”

He grinned, still hovering over me. His hair was disheveled, and his face seemed softer. His eyes were no longer swollen from a lack of sleep. His skin retained a faint glow.

“You’re beautiful,” I said softly. “Do you honestly know how truly beautiful you are?”

He smirked. “Demon Prince of Lust, remember? I was designed to appear that way to everyone.”

“I’m not talking about your physical beauty. I’m talking about you, Deus. I saw that part of you … in the pit. The rawest parts. And every part of you is … extraordinary.”

He took a few moments before replying. “I think,” he said hesitantly, “for the first time in my entire existence I am speechless.”

“A new talent I can add to my ever-growing resume.”

“Indeed. Now,” he said, resting his head on his bent elbow, “what shall we do today?”

“I’m thinking a shower first, then food. After that, a quiet afternoon on the beach.”

“Perfect.”

I grinned, rising and heading towards the bathroom. I stopped by the closet, which was stocked with clothes just my size. I turned on the water in the large glass shower, allowing it to warm. I removed my leggings and went to pull my sweater over my head when I caught a glimpse of Deus in the mirror, standing in the doorway behind me. I froze, not knowing what to say or do.

“Would you mind some company?” he asked, gliding into the bathroom.

“I …” I dropped my hands from my sweater, struggling to find the words. “Are you sure?”

He laughed, taking the ends of my top in his hands, sliding the fabric between his fingers. “I don’t think a shower with you is going to break me, love.”

“I’m not … I don’t want you to feel pressured.”

“The Prince of Lust, pressured into having sex. How comical.”

“Deus, this isn’t a joke. I don’t want—”

He pushed me into the glass door of the shower, pinning me with his body as his hands restrained my arms above my head. His eyes were full of heat and something else I couldn’t pinpoint.

“You don’t what, Seren? You don’t want me? Is that it?” He trailed his fingers up my bare legs, stopping at the lace of my underwear. I closed my eyes, enjoying every moment of his skin on mine.

I felt the heat of his breath on my lips before I opened my eyes. His fingers lazily trailed the edge of the lace, taunting and teasing. Heat began to simmer deep inside of my core. My body warmed and my skin rose in response to his touch, now aware of every single place our bodies met.

“Just say the words,” he said huskily, “and I’ll stop. I’ll stop touching you.” He kissed the column of my neck softly. “Tasting you.” He dragged his tongue up to my earlobe where he gently bit the sensitive skin. “And thinking of all the ways I want to make you scream my name.”

I bit the bottom of my lip, fighting the urge to destroy every article of clothing on him. Even though every nerve screamed to have him, I hesitated. I didn’t want to push him too fast. Just yesterday, he had told me he couldn’t.

I pulled my hand from his restraint and wrapped it around his wrist, stopping him from explore me further. I drank in the sight of my exquisite mate.

“How about we start with a shower?” I replied.

His face filled with stark confusion. He pulled his hand out of my grasp, taking a step back. I closed the space between us, sliding my fingers into his pants gliding them to the floor gently. It took everything I had not to stare at his impressive length. The length that had made my mind explode in so many creative and delicious ways. The thought of how he would taste in my mouth was overwhelming, but I forced myself to look away.

I slid my sweater off my body to the floor, my underwear along with it. Deus stood deathly still, taking in every inch of me.

“How is it,” he said, “that every time I look at you, I feel like I’m seeing you for the first time?”

I smiled, taking his hand in mine and leading him into the shower. In silence, we washed. He never once took his eyes off me. His gaze heated my skin. I took a rag and lathered it with soap, then gently brushed it over his firm and toned chest. He took a deep breath in, his fingers tightening into fists.

“Is … this okay?” I asked.

His jaw tightened and heavy eyes looked down at me. “Why did you stop me before?”

I continued gliding the rag over his shoulders and down his arms. “The next time we make love, I want it to be because we both want it. I don’t want you to feel pressured, or like you need to do it just to make me happy. I want you to want it … as badly as I want you.”

Placing his hands on my bare hips, he pushed me into the wall of the shower, pressing his body against me. His mouth slammed into mine. But this kiss … it wasn’t full of passion or desire. It was different. Forced. As if he was trying to prove something to himself.

I dropped the rag, hesitantly placing my hands on his arms. “Don’t,” he said, ripping his mouth from mine. “Don’t hesitate when you touch me. I want you, Seren. I want every part of you. I need you. I need you so badly it hurts.”

I ran my hands down his face. “I love you,” I whispered, pressing a kiss to the side of his cheek. “We have time,” I lied. “There’s no need to rush this.”

“Seren.” He winced as if my words had scorched him. The truth—one that I would never speak out loud—was that I felt the fear that had rattled deep within him when I touched him. The bond between us was peculiar. I didn’t understand it, not fully at least. But I had felt his hesitation when I placed the rag against his skin.

I wrapped my arms around him. His face buried in the crook of my neck. I ran my hands through his blue-black hair. His hands skimmed the sides of my body, tracing over every curve. “I love you,” I whispered against his hair. “Every part of you, I love.” He pulled back gently, looking at my face. I smiled. “Let me show you.”

I opened my mind to him, reaching down the bridge of our bond until I felt his cool, soft presence. I pulled him into my memories like a lover’s embrace.

The first time I had seen him in the woods; how beautiful and entranced I was by his mere presence. His flirting had driven me mad with frustration, yet lit a part of me back to life. How comfortable he made me feel in his castle the first time I arrived. How safe I always felt around him. The desire, the passion, the appreciation and love that consumed me as my affections for him grew. Memory after memory of our time together flashed down the bond. Every smile. Every laugh. Every moment of life I had been given, thanks to him.

I gently let his mind go. He was breathing heavily.

“See,” I whispered. “You are not the devil in my story … you’re my restoration. My deliverance. You’re my salvation, Deus.”

“And you are my redemption, Seren De Salvo.” He bent down and kissed me, more freely and passionately than since we had been in Hell. With every press of his lips against mine, I could feel him letting go of his trauma. We stayed in that shower for the next hour until our lips were bruised and our skin pruned. It was the most intimate memory we had created yet.

Weeks passed as we hid ourselves away on our own private haven. The world no longer mattered. The only thing that we cared about was each other. Our days were spent bathing in the sunlight on the beach, swimming freely in the ocean, and building new memories that seemed to strengthen the bond between us with each passing day.

As Deus allowed himself time to heal, he began to laugh and smile without hesitation. The darkness behind his eyes faded away layer by layer, and so did the memories and nightmare that haunted him.

We explored the island during the day and at night I cooked, exploring new spices and recipes. Deus attempted to assist, but I quickly learned cooking was not his strong suit. Instead, he played the piano. Each night as I prepared our meal, his fingers danced along the white and black keys, constructing the most beautiful compositions. A talent I didn’t know he possessed.

We spent nights under the stars laughing, eating, and drinking. He told me about the famous historical figures he had met, along with firsthand experiences I had once only imagined from the Bible. Deus spoke of his brothers and the trouble they caused in their earlier years.

Though we weren’t physically intimate, this connection that we were fostering seemed to be exactly what we needed. Here, I was just a woman, in love with a man. Nothing more. Nothing less. Hidden far away by the sea, our haven had become our renaissance—our rebirth.

I woke from an afternoon nap, still stretched across the lounge chair on our balcony. The sun was setting on the horizon, the colors so vibrant, warm and rich. I closed the book that lay on my chest and sat up. Deus stood in the doorway, leaning in his charming, casual manner.

“Were you watching me sleep again?” I asked.

“Yes,” he replied shortly.

“Creep.” I stood from the chair, making my way over to him. I wrapped my arms around his neck, kissing him softly on the cheek. “What would you like for dinner?”

“Actually,” he said, brushing my hair away from my face, “I’ll take care of dinner tonight.”

I pulled away in surprise. “You … cooking?”

“Don’t look so surprised. I’ve been keenly watching you all these weeks. I think I’ve picked up on a few things.”

“It’s really no trouble.”

He laughed. “Don’t worry, my love. I won’t kill you with my cooking. Now, I’ve drawn you a lovely lavender bath. Go relax, get dressed, and meet me downstairs in an hour.” He kissed me and then headed to the kitchen. I sent a silent prayer up to his Father that he wouldn’t burn our house to ground.

After the bath, I slid on a strappy satin cream dress that was open in the back and ended at my knees. My skin was now a deep rich tan and seemed to glow, thanks to the rest I had received these past few weeks. I had allowed my hair to dry naturally, revealing the loose curls and thick texture. Vacationing seemed to agree with me.

When I entered the dining room, I was met by soft classical music and a room littered with red roses and candlelight. Deus stood by the head of the table, hands behind his back, in black slacks and a fitted button-up black shirt. He was perfectly groomed with a bright smile adorning his face. My favorite part of him.

“Did you gather all the roses on the island?” I asked, overwhelmed by their sweet scent.

He shrugged. “I bought out an entire florist shop.”

“You left the island?”

“Just had to collect a few items.”

I approached him with a curious smile. On the table lay dishes of linguine with clam sauce, fresh salad, and an array of appetizers and breads. My mouth watered. “You cooked all of this?”

He crinkled his nose. “Not exactly. I shifted in a chef who gave me a few tips along the way.”

“Again with the shifting. ”

He laughed. “Don’t worry. He doesn’t remember a thing and will be very happy when he discovers the fat envelope of cash I left as compensation. Now, sit,” he said, pulling out my chair for me.

I obeyed. The scent of fresh lemon, basil, and seafood was magnificent. “What is the occasion?”

He bent down and kissed the side of my face. “Does a demon need a reason to spoil his mate?”

I laughed. “I suppose I should be used to the lot of you doing what you please.”

“Quick study.” He took a seat next to me, pouring sparkling white wine into our glasses.

Every bite was better than the next. The wine was flavorful yet intoxicating and our conversation flowed naturally. For dessert, Deus snapped his fingers and an arrangement of items appeared: crème br?lée, chocolate tart cake, lemon meringue pie, coffee cake, and an assortment of sorbets.

“Did you rob a bakery as well?” I asked while he placed a ramekin of crème br?lée in front of me.

“No need. Filthy rich, remember?”

I tried a bite of every sweet. By the time we had finished, I felt like I had consumed ten pounds of food. I sat back in the chair, laughing at a story Deus was sharing as we finished off our espressos.

Silence finally fell around us. The soft classical music filling the air. With the flames of the candles flickering, chasing the darkness away, the room was tranquil. I felt Deus’s eyes on me.

“Can I help you?” I asked with an arched eyebrow.

“Just admiring how beautiful you look tonight. The beach seems to agree with you. ”

“I was thinking the same thing earlier.” I reached across the table, taking his hand in mine. “I vote, we move here and forget about everything else.”

He smirked, leaning down to kiss the back of my hand. “You will hear no argument from me.” He pulled me from my chair, leading me out onto the beach. As we descended the stairs to the sand, my breath was taken away by what awaited.

For as far as my eyes could see, candles were scattered down each side of the beach, creating the most alluring scenery I had ever seen. In the ocean, blue shimmering specks of light glistened in the water almost like glitter. They were luminescent, glowing unnaturally. Magic.

The full moon sat on the horizon, so close I could see the craters that made up the surface. My toes buried in the warm sand as I stood captivated by the magical scene.

Deus who was watching me closely with a smile. “This is—”

“All for you,” he interrupted, taking me into his arms. The sound of the music followed us outside as we began to sway in a slow and intimate dance.

“The demon Prince of Lust, a romantic, huh?” I said with a smile.

“Only for you,” he replied, leaning down and kissing me. His grip on my waist tightened, his eyes scanning every inch of my face. “You are truly my reason for existing. Loving you … has been the greatest pleasure and honor I have ever been gifted.”

“Feeling a bit sentimental tonight?” I asked, my cheeks flushing with embarrassment.

He stopped moving. “I mean it, Seren. You have no idea how special you are to me. How much I truly love you. What you’ve done to me … for me … it’s more than I thought I ever deserved. I still don’ t understand how I ended up being your mate but I promise you, every single day that I breathe, I will do my best to be worthy of you. To be a man you are proud to be with and to call your own.

“I’ve done so many dark things during my existence.” He flinched. “I’ve hurt so many people. I’m not proud of my past or who I’ve been, but now, being here with you, I want to do better. To be better.” His eyes met mine again. “I can’t promise you a stainless future. I can’t promise that there will always be peace or harmony. That I won’t slip from time to time and make mistakes. But I can promise you this,” he said, pulling away from me slightly.

“I can promise to be faithful to you. To never touch another. I can promise to love you, to protect you, to care for you for as long as I breathe.” He slowly knelt to one knee. “I can promise to love you and cherish each moment I have with you. My heart, mind, and body desires no other but you. For me … there is nothing but you.”

He pulled a red velvet box from his pocket and cracked open the lid. Inside lay a massive red oval sapphire. The center seemed to burst as if a star had been caught inside. The stone was surrounded by diamonds attached to a gold band. He pulled the ring from the box as I stood speechless. He took my hand and rubbed it softly with his thumb.

“I know you didn’t have a choice when it came to your fated mate,” he said, pausing to take a breath. I smiled, realizing he was nervous. “But you do have a choice in the matter of choosing your husband.” He grinned. “Seren Lucia De Salvo, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife? Become the person that I choose each day to love, to cherish, and to build a future with that we both can be proud of? Would you make me the happiest man”—he shrugged— “demon, and allow me the honor of devoting my heart and life to you? ”

I fought to find my voice. He held up the ring, eagerly awaiting my answer. Finally, air filled my lungs as I whispered, “Yes. Yes, of course I will be your wife.”

In the next breath, I was swept into his arms while he laughed with happiness, twirling me around and around in the air. I held onto him tightly, relishing in the pure joy. Nothing compared to this moment. Nothing had made me more happy, more excited, more alive than what this precious occasion had brought me.

He placed me back on the ground, kissing me passionately, still grinning from ear to ear. When he finally pulled away, he took my hand and slid the ring onto my finger. The weight of the stone was noticeable. I laughed. “Didn’t spare any expense, did we?” I said playfully.

“We can go bigger if you’d like.”

“Oh, no. This is perfect,” I said. The moonlight bounce around the curves and edges of the ring. “It’s beautiful,” I whispered. I looked back up at him: my fiancé … my best friend … my mate. “I have never felt so complete as I do in this moment.” Silent tears of joy fell from my eyes.

“This is only the beginning, my love,” he said, taking me into his arms once more. I held onto him tightly, closing my eyes while the world around us seemed to melt away. Nothing mattered. Not the politics, not our families, not the impending war … none of it. The only thing that mattered was the love of my life. The man who had healed every part of my broken mind and heart. Who loved me enough to choose me. To marry me. To want to spend the rest of our lives together.