Page 24

Chapter twenty-four

T hat night, I warred with myself over all the new information I had gathered in such a short time. I was going to be the Queen of Hell, yet I would have to die to make sure the ones I loved remained safe. I couldn’t keep this from everyone. Not when so much was on the line. I knew what I had to do, but saying the words out loud would mean it was no longer my imagination, but the truth.

I called a meeting with everyone the next morning, knowing if I waited any longer, I would talk myself out of it. Lilith showed up at my door bright and earlier. I let her in, still preparing myself for what was to come next.

Deus came out of the bathroom, surprised to see his right-hand demon warrior casually lounging in a chair next to me.

“Mal,” he greeted her with a forced smile. “Is there something I can help you with?”

She shrugged, twirling a dagger in her hands. “Nope,” she replied, winking at me. “I’m here for her,” she replied, pointing the knife at me.

Deus scanned his mate and his warrior. “Am I missing something here?” he asked. “When did the two of you become best friends?”

She pushed herself from the chair, making her way over to him. “Somewhere between you losing your soul and me kicking her ass on the mat day in and day out.” She patted him on the shoulder. “Don’t worry, she’s in capable hands.” Lilith turned to me. “Everyone is waiting in your nonna’s quarters.” She mouthed the words ‘my queen’. Her lips pulled up to one side in a snarky grin.

I stood, shooting her a stern look. “Let’s get this over with,” I replied, heading for the door. Lilith followed.

“What are we getting over?” Deus asked. “I don’t think I can handle any more surprises.”

Lilith’s laugh filled the air. “Oh, just you wait, princy,” she replied.

“What did you just call me?” he asked firmly.

She looked back at him as we made our way down the hall. “Oh,” she said, “I forgot to inform you, I resign. Got a better offer elsewhere.” She chuckled and walked faster.

He looked at me and then ahead to his former right hand. “What in the hell is going on?”

I took his hand in mine. “I’ll explain everything, I promise.”

We were the last to enter Nonna’s quarters. Our family and friends surrounded us. Lilith appeared at my side, assessing each one as if they were a threat.

“Malphasia,” Mammon said, taking in the demon from head to toe. “I think you’d be more of use training the witchlings.”

“I go where my queen goes,” Lilith said, standing at attention by my side.

I rolled my eyes. The attention of the room snapped to me.

Belz huffed. “Queen?” He turned to Deus. “What did you become king of?”

“She does not need him to claim her rightful title,” snapped Lilith. “That title is hers and hers alone.”

“Enough,” I said. “This is not going to turn into a shit show.”

“Would anyone like to bet on that?” Mammon asked, looking from person to person.

“What is she talking about?” asked Belz, stepping forward. “Why do you have your mate’s assassin calling you queen?”

I took a deep breath. “Because I am the heir to Hell,” I admitted out loud for the first time. Nonna, Aunt Thora, and my mom looked like they were about to pass out. “And this isn’t just any assassin.” Lilith nodded, holding her head high. “Everyone, meet Lilith, the first woman ever created.”

“Son of a—” Mammon.

“You’ve got to be shitting me?” Belz.

Laughing, Gor leaned over the table. “Father, this just keeps getting better.”

“How?” asked Deus, stepping towards us, assessing his supposed friend.

“I aligned myself with you because of your strength, power, and conviction,” she said. “I’ve wanted to destroy your brother ever since he lied to me and tempted me out of the garden. I knew in that moment I had made a mistake.” She paused, looking around the room at the other princes. “Just like each of you knew the mistake you had made as soon as you fell from His grace. Lucifer has gone on unchecked long enough. I was confident that God would eventually tire of his games and rip everything from him.” She looked at me with pride.

“Thus,” she continued, “Seren. Created in the womb of a witch. Chosen by the goddess of the moon. Forged from the power of a prince. Saved by the greed of a demon. Once Lucifer is muzzled, she will sit upon his throne. Three in one. Witch. Goddess. Demon. ”

Deus looked at me in shock.

“It’s true,” I admitted. “Orion told me.”

“Orion?” Frankie asked.

“Yes. I … I was helping a soul to cross over. Turns out, I’m also a gate to heaven. Orion is my anchor because of our connection. He told me that when I die, I won’t be going to heaven, because I was made from Hell thus Hell I must be returned to.”

Nonna shook her head, taking a seat. “No. No. This is not happening,” she said frantically. I had never seen her react this strongly before. She smacked the table with her hand. Everything around us began to shake and rumble. Nonna sat, trying to make sense of it all. I watched as she slowly lost control.

“No,” she yelled, standing as the windows behind her shattered out over the mountainside. “No granddaughter of mine is spending eternity in Hell!”

I walked over to her, smiling softly. “Nonna,” I whispered, rubbing her arms. “It’s okay. This is all a part of a greater plan. Orion told me the sooner I make peace with this the faster I will obtain the very peace I’ve been searching my entire life for.”

“It is Hell, bambina,” she said, utter defeat in her voice. I looked around the room, taking in the faces of the princes that had become my brothers. My friends. My lover.

“Hell has a few things I don’t mind being surrounded by for eternity,” I said. The brothers smiled, nodding their thanks. Nonna’s face fell in defeat. I could only imagine how devastated she felt.

“Any other secrets you’d like to share, Lilith?” asked Mammon.

“Not at the moment, thank you,” she replied flatly.

The room laughed softly. “That’s really the Lilith,” asked Aunt Thora.

I nodded. “I didn’t think things could get any more complicated,” I said, turning to my mother and cousin.

Frankie arched an eyebrow. “Well, we haven’t rescued the crazy vessel from Purgatory yet, so just hold that comment until then.” My family and I laughed, pulling each other into a group hug.

“We’ll figure this out,” said Nonna, trying to sound reassuring. “We always do.”

“Yes, Mamma,” said my mother, looking at Nonna in a way that made me wonder if there were secrets between the two of them. “We always do.”

Everyone exited the room, returning to their routines and duties while we waited for Satan to make his appearance with the bones. Deus pulled me onto one of the balconies without warning. Lilith made to follow, but he held out his hand.

“I go where she goes,” Lilith growled.

“Yes, you made that revelation very clear,” he replied, stepping into her face. “But she is my mate and if I want alone time with her, I get my alone time.”

Lilith didn’t move. She slid her eyes to me for orders. I nodded.

“Wait back in the hall,” I instructed. “I’m perfectly safe.”

Once she was stationed on the other side of the balcony doors, Deus turned to me for answers.

“I only just found out yesterday,” I blurted.

“Then why not tell me then? I should have been the first person you told.”

“I needed time to myself … just to process it all. Plus, we were dealing with Satan and Talia’s bones an d—”

“We’re always going to be dealing with some catastrophe, or demons, for that matter.” He was getting heated. He took a moment to gather himself, slowing his breaths before he spoke again. “I am your mate. Soon to be your husband. I don’t give a fuck what is happening around us. If something of this magnitude is discovered, we tell each other. Complete transparency.”

I knew he was right. I wanted to tell him everything, but if I did, he would try to stop me from doing what had to be done. Deus loved me possessively, which meant, he would let the entire world burn down and everyone in it, if it meant I got to live. I could never live with myself if it came to that.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered, holding back tears.

He stepped forward, wrapping me in his arms tightly. I stood there for a moment, relishing his warm embrace. He chuckled, kissing me softly on top of my hair. “My mate … the Queen of Hell. Oh, Lucy is going to just love this.”

I pulled away, forcing a smile. “What, you don’t think I’ll look good in a crown?”

He drew his thumb across my jaw line. “There isn’t a thing I wouldn’t find you ravishing in. Though, I prefer nothing at all.”

I giggled, sliding my gaze toward Lilith, who stood on the other side of the glass.

“You don’t trust her?” I heard Deus ask.

“Do you blame me?”

“No, but for whatever it’s worth, she has never betrayed me. Not once.”

“How does Lucifer not recognize her? They’ve been in the same room together multiple times. ”

“I expect she’s been using a glamor all these years. I am not sure. That would be a question for her. Whatever she has done, Lucifer has never taken an interest in her … not once. She’s good at the facade.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of.”

The rest of the day, I stayed out of everyone’s way. I didn’t want to discuss my new job title further and, with everything going on around me, the quiet was a welcome change. We waited for Satan to make contact about the bones, but he never did. I didn’t trust him, nor did I like him much.

Early the next morning, I lay in bed next to my mate while he slept peacefully. I was thankful that the harder parts of his recovery were nearing an end, yet my own horrors were only beginning. I looked up at the ceiling, contemplating what I could expect when I got to Purgatory. Whatever was keeping Talia there seemed horrific, based on her screams during each encounter we’d had.

Finally, realizing I wasn’t going to be falling asleep anytime soon, I slithered out of the bed and headed down to the kitchen. It was four in the morning. The castle and all its guests were sound asleep. I gathered the ingredients to make lemon bars, in honor of Orion. I began to sift and mix the ingredients when Annalise appeared in the doorway.

“Seems like I’m not the only one burdened by our impending vacation today,” she said, moving over to the counter where I was worked.

“Honestly, after Hell, I’m hoping this one is a walk in the park,” I replied.

She laughed, taking a seat on a stool. “Did you get any sleep?”

I shook my head. “I can’t seem to shut off my mind. With all this new information, I’m just—” I paused, placing the whisk in the bowel. There it was. Finally. I had been waiting for it all day .

The realization of everything hit me like a pile of bricks. I began shaking, working through the emotions one by one. I took deep breaths, telling myself it would be okay. I had mastered everything thrown at me thus far. There was a reason for everything. I had found my purpose, even if I didn’t like it.

I felt a hand on my shoulder, turning me around. Then I was pulled into my mother’s embrace. I didn’t cry; I didn’t panic. I was overcome with the magnitude of my future, yet everything around me in that moment calmed, allowing me to think and process more clearly than I had before.

Annalise had never held me like this before. So … intimate and familiar. She smelled of eucalyptus and mint. Her embrace was tender yet reassuring. I accepted comfort from this stranger I had longed for since I could remember—experiencing a mother’s embrace for the first time in my life.

I pulled away, looking up at her. She smiled softly, running her hand through my hair. “You know,” she began, “since the moment my soul was reunited with my body, I have been worrying about you. I felt so guilty about the bargain I struck with Lucifer to save you. The hand in life you had been dealt. Everything you had missed out on. Every horror you’ve experienced. Yet, when you told us yesterday you were to become the Queen of Hell …” she stopped, softly laughing to herself. “All of that worry went away.”

“That makes one of us,” I replied.

She took my face in her hands. “Seren … do you realize what that title means?” She searched my eyes. “It means that nothing and no one will ever have the power to harm you again. Think about it. You will be ruler over the realm responsible for everything in your li fe that has haunted you. As queen, you will be untouchable.

“I know this isn’t the ending you expected or saw for yourself, but … but maybe this future, this realm of impossibilities will allow you to write your own narrative for once. Where you will have the power to construct the life, the eternity , you want. Once you embrace this, the possibilities will be endless, little bean.”

“Orion told me once I made peace with my future, I would find the peace I’ve always longed for,” I admitted.

“I believe you will. There is no good without evil. Unfortunately, both will always exist. But … I do believe it is also about perspective. One person may perceive something to be wicked, while another person sees that same thing as a blessing. Take your prince, for example.”

The very thought of him made me smile. My mother grinned, pinching the side of my cheek. “There are no words to describe how happy that smile makes me,” she said. “And to think, it’s all thanks to a demon prince.”

“A very handsome demon prince,” I corrected.

She laughed. “There is no denying that.”

“I don’t know how to prepare myself for this new role.”

She took my face again, pressing a firm kiss to my forehead before her face grew severe. “I promise you, little bean, I will do whatever it takes to make sure you have as much time on this earth as possible. Your happiness and safety are all that matters to me. I pray someday you get a chance to be a mother. Only then will you know how much I truly love you. Only then will you understand that there is nothing and no one that will keep me from protecting you.”

I forced a smile, pulling her into a hug. How much time I had to prepare to become queen depended on when Lucifer planned to attack. I would never know what it was like to be a mother, to hold my child for the first time, to see Deus as a father, to watch the child our love created grow and flourish. There was so much I would never experience, and there was nothing my mother, my family, or my mate could do to change that. My end had been written before I existed.

Mom sat with me while I finished making the lemon bars. We talked about our expectations of Purgatory. Neither of us had a clue what we were walking into. Once the lemon bars were done baking, they cooled while I filled her in on my childhood. She told me about when she had discovered she was pregnant and how excited she had been to become a mother.

Annalise relived her own childhood year by year. Through her stories, I felt the love and admiration she had for Nonna and her twin. She had prepared her entire life to stand next to her mother’s side as Elder. To walk in her footsteps and serve our coven as our ancestors had done for generations. But now, that path no longer existed.

The realization of what Lucifer had done to her settle deep inside of me. I had been so focused on all he had taken from me, but I hadn’t really stopped to think about how his actions, his obsession with me, had altered my mother’s life in the process.

Around six in the morning, I made my way back up to my room, leaving the lemon bars uneaten on the counter … in memory of Orion. As I turned the hall, I froze, coming face to face with Evaline Camerino … Orion’s mother.

Her small stature, to the untrained eye, looked that of an innocent, grumpy old woman. But I knew better. I could see the dragon roaming underneath her skin, begging to be released. Her eyes bore into me. Her thin lips—Orion’s lips I now realized—remained taunt and expressionless.

“Seren,” she said, nodding.

“Hello Mrs. Camerino,” I replied. “How have you been?”

“Miserable,” she replied, “and you?”

“Can’t say it’s been much different for me either.” At that time, Delphine exited her room next to Evaline’s, shutting the door softly before turning towards us.

Her tall and once curvaceous body was now thin and fragile. The shine of her blonde hair had dulled. Her skin, white as snow, exhibited bruises underneath her eyes and hollow cheeks. The entrancing light that had made her so stunning was gone.

She froze, looking from Evaline to me without revealing what she was feeling or thinking. There was an emptiness that I empathized with. Those weeks without Deus had almost destroyed me. If things had been different, if it weren’t for my powers, that would be me: empty and dead inside. Even though my future was heading in a fiery direction, I couldn’t admit I hated my gifts. Without them, my mate would still be dead.

“Good morning, Delphine,” Evaline greeted, forcing a smile for her almost daughters-in-law’s sake.

“Good morning, Mamma,” she replied, kissing her on the cheek before turning her attention to me. “Seren.”

“Delphine. It’s nice to see you,” I replied, my voice wavering.

She didn’t respond. I debated telling her about Orion, how I had just seen him the day prior, but what good would that do? Knowing his ex-wife has access to him whenever she pleased, yet his mate did not.

“I see your castle is overrun with your in-laws,” commented Evaline.

My brow furrowed in question.

“The demon princes,” explained Delphine .

“Oh, yes … them,” I said.

“And we hear congratulations are in order as well,” Evaline continued, her gaze flicking sharply to my left hand.

“Thank you,” I replied, feeling a sense of shame.

“Three engagements in under a year,” Evaline said. “You Salvo women sure know—”

“Mamma,” Delphine interrupted, placing a loving hand on her shoulder. She turned back to me and forced a smile. “Congratulation, Seren. I’m happy everything worked out for you. After all you’ve been through, you deserve happiness.” Evaline huffed, but Delphine kept her hand on her almost mother-in-law. “Now, if you’ll excuse us, we were just heading to breakfast.”

She took Evaline by the arm and moved past me. Without thought, my hand reached out, grabbing onto Delphine’s arm as if it were my lifeline. Tears fell uncontrollably down my face. She turned back towards me, her blue eyes so dull and lifeless.

“If there was a way,” I cried, looking into the eyes of my best friend’s mate, “even if it meant sacrificing my life, I would have done it. Without a second thought, I would have done it. He deserves to be here. Out of everyone, he deserved to live.”

Delphine turned fully towards me, taking my hands in hers. “So do you, Seren,” she said. The kindness in her voice caused me to cry harder. “He loved you very much. Even though it bugged me for the longest time, I can see why. I know you two had a connection. I can feel it. I can feel him, standing here with you. I will never understand why he had to die, but I cherish the time we had together, in our youth and as mates. I wouldn’t change that for the world.”

“He was the best person I’ve ever known,” I said.

“Yes, he was,” she replied, returning to Evaline as they turned the corner.

I finally made it back to my room, crawling underneath the covers next to Deus’s warm body. I looked at his beautiful face. His dark hair. Tan skin. Toned body. The memories of the feelings I had experienced during our time apart came rushing back.

I felt his arms wrap around me as my vision blurred from my tears of pain.

“What is it, my love?” I heard him say, pulling me into him.

I opened my mind to him, unable to speak, showing him all that had occurred this morning. I shared the memories of those weeks that I had lived on this earth without him. The pain, torture, and sadness I had experienced. His grip tightened around me, providing me with a place to be vulnerable and safe.

At some point, I ended up crying myself to sleep, my body, mind, and soul exhausted. Maybe being the Queen of Hell would have its perks. I could demand everyone to go and fuck off while I had some peace and quiet for once in my life.

When I woke up, Deus’s body was still wrapped around me. He was awake, watching me sleep. I rolled over, stretching while I forced my eyes open.

“Creep,” I said, yawning.

He laughed. “I enjoy watching you sleep,” he replied, propping his head on his elbow. “Snoring and all.”

I smacked him in the shoulder. “Rude. Why couldn’t you say something sweet like, ‘you’re so beautiful when you sleep.’ Or ‘I love how peaceful you look’?”

“We’re mated and you’ll soon be my wife. You’re stuck with me, so what’s the point of lying?”

I smacked him harder, flipping on top of him. He laughed and smiled from ear to ear, holding my wrists so I couldn’t abuse him further. Before I could get free, he flipped me underneath him, pinning me to the bed.

“Careful mate,” I said sarcastically. “If you aren’t careful, I know one brother in specific that would love to take another bite out of me.”

His eyes darkened as he leaned down, nipping at my neck, his lips moving to my ear. “You and I both know there is no one on this plane or any other that is capable of satisfying you the way I do.”

My toes curled at the promise of ecstasy that laced his tone.

Knock. Knock.

“Every. Single. Time.” Deus said, dramatically rolling himself off me.

I laughed, moving to the door. Frankie came strolling in, not a care in the world. “Good morning, lovebirds,” she greeted.

“Morning Frankie,” I replied.

Deus got out of bed, making his way towards us, only sporting a pair of black pants. The sight of his rippled muscles and glistening hair set a fire inside of me. The desire to lick along every one of those muscles overcame me. Tasting his smooth skin all the way down until I was able to trail my tongue up that perfectly crafted cock of his. I smiled.

His eyebrow arched, knowing exactly what I had just thought. My walls around my mind were down. I smiled, feeling my cheeks blush.

Frankie took a deep breath in, going still. “For Aradia’s sake,” she gasped. “Will the both of you put a lid on that power of yours? I may need to find Levi if I stay in here for too long.”

Deus chuckled, while he wrapped his arms around me from behind. “Good morning, Francesca,” he said, kissing the nape of my neck. “What brings you by so early?”

“Early?” she gasped. “It’s two in the afternoon.”

“Sorry,” I replied. “I didn’t get much sleep last night with everything going on.”

“I don’t think any of us have gotten a good night’s sleep in a long time,” she commented. “Anyway, I was hoping we could focus on something fun until dear old Satan decides to grace us with his presence … and Talia’s bones, that is.”

“Frankie, I don’t think I can handle drinking right now.”

“Not that, silly. Though, now that you mention it, drinks would be a great addition. I was hoping to get started on wedding preparations. It will be something we can all look forward to.”

I paused, turning to Deus. He was smiling, wiggling his eyebrows in a playful way.

“I like that idea,” he added.

“With everything going on,” I said, trying to divert the conversation, “do you really think now is the best time?”

“Hey,” Frankie shrugged, “this wasn’t actually my idea. It was Nonna’s. Go figure she’d be so excited for her granddaughter to marry a demon prince, but … she is. She insisted I get the party started, so once you return from Purgatory, we can get you hitched. Hopefully for the last time.”

I smacked her in the shoulder while she began to laugh. Deus smiled so brightly, my heart swelled at the sight. But that light was quickly shadowed by the knowledge our marriage, at least here on earth, would only be temporary. I swallowed those feelings down and forced a smile.

“Sounds like a plan,” I replied.

“Well, don’t I get a say in any preparations?” Deus asked.

Frankie arched an eyebrow, putting her hands on her hips. “You want to be involved in wedding preparations?”

“It is my one and only,” he replied, pinching me in the butt. I jumped, smacking him in his rock-solid abs.

“How about I work with Seren today,” suggested Frankie, “and you and I finish things off while she’s gone?”

“Perfect,” he said, bending down to kiss me.

“I’ll meet you in your room after I shower,” I said, heading for the bathroom.

“Sounds good,” she replied with a wink before heading out of the room.

I looked back at Deus as we headed for the bathroom.

“What?” he asked.

“Mr. Party Planner, are we?”

“Oh, come now, you’ve seen the type of soirees I’m capable of throwing.”

“So, I should expect naked acrobats and fire breathers with an after party consisting of a massive orgy?”

He laughed. “Well, there will be lots and lots of sex after our party, but I plan to keep it between the two of us. Hey, if you think I’m bad, just wait until Levi’s wedding. Envy and all.”

I grabbed Deus’s arm. “Wait,” I said, a smile creeping across my face. “Is he planning on asking Frankie?”

Deus smiled subtly, leaning down to my ear. “I’m not supposed to say.”

I yelled, jumping up and down for joy. “Oh, my, God! When? Where? How? Why hasn’t he asked for my help? He better ask for my help. You need to tell him I need to be in on this, after all she’s done for me in the past. Plus, I’ve been thinking of all the places he could do it. Has he picked out a ring? He better not have without showing me first. She is going to be pissed if he gets her something she doesn’t like.”

Deus was now laughing. “My love, calm yourself. He only told me yesterday he has decided to go through with it. I am sure the preparations haven’t begun just yet.”

I bit the side of my lip. “Does it not matter to them that they’re not mated?” I asked.

He shrugged. “I don’t believe so. He loves her unconditionally. I recognize the look,” he said, pinching my chin. “I don’t think a mating bond would make much of a difference. To find what we have is a one in a million chance. Though, a mating bond shouldn’t stop two people in love from being together. Wouldn’t you agree?”

I nodded. “But what if he eventually does find his mate, or she finds hers? What happens then?”

“That is a very big if,” he said, pulling the nightgown over my head. “And frankly, none of our business.”

“How can you say that?” I replied, while he prepared the shower. “This is my cousin and your brother we’re talking about here.”

He slid his pants to the floor. “My love, I think you’re missing the point here. Two people who love each other very much are about to commit their lives together. Stop focusing on the possible ways their relationship could end in demise. Instead, look at the happiness they’ve found in one another.” He pulled me into the shower, pressing his body fully against mine. His eyes began to glow.

“You’re right. I’m just being crazy.”

“I won’t contest that.”

My mouth fell open in offense. I tried to pull away from him, but he continued to laugh, holding me tightly against his hard, bare body .

“I love how much you care about your family,” he said, running his fingers threw my wet hair. “But can I ask something of you?”

“You can, but after you just agreed that I’m crazy and all, I can’t say I’ll grant your request.”

He smiled, trailing his fingers down my wet sides. “After you return from Purgatory, and you will be returning from Purgatory, I would like the few days before and after our wedding to be solely about us. About you and me. Then, after our wedding bliss, we can go back to worrying about saving the world so it doesn’t end in the nasty prophecies from Revelations. Is that something you’re capable of?”

I shrugged, allowing a small smile. “I mean, I guess our wedding is kind of a big deal. I can spare a few hours here and there.”

“Oh, love, I’m going to need far more than a few hours in order to accomplish all the delightful, indecent, and pleasurable things I am planning to do to this magnificent body of yours.”

My cheeks flushed as my core began to heat. “I think we’ve done just about everything two people can do together … physically that is.”

A low, seductive laugh rattled in his throat. “Oh, sweet Seren. You forget, you’re marrying the Prince of Lust. There is an entire world I’ve yet to indoctrinate you into.” He paused, sliding his finger down the center of my abdomen, continuing until he slid across the bundle of nerves and then deep inside of me. I gasped. “And I plan on taking eternity to wring every last sound of pleasure from those sweet, supple lips of yours that I love having wrapped around my cock.”

In the next breath, I came undone.