Page 33

Chapter thirty-three

T he next two days were a blur. I didn’t know what time it was, nor did I care. We slept when our bodies demanded it and ate when we needed energy, but the rest of the time … oh, the rest of the time was spent exploring. I didn’t know the world contained so many contraptions, toys, and devices designed solely for physical pleasure. Tables, benches, seats, walls: all designed for restraint, but also to maneuver the body into flexible positions, creating mind blowing sensations.

Deus took his time, allowing me to fully experience everything he subjected my body to. I thought our time on the island had been educational. I was wrong.

My body was tender and sore from our “expressions of love”. I wore each mark with pride, knowing my mate had put them there while he worshiped me. I wondered if it would still be like this once I died. When I was bound to Hell. Would the experience change? Would he still love me in the same manner?

The end of day two came too quickly. We showered and made arrangements to head back to Castle Salvo to join the others in preparations for Lucifer’s impending attack. I took my time, absorbing as many details of our room as I could. This was likely the last time I would ever set foot in here: the space that had helped heal my soul. In this home, I learned I had a life worth living and fighting for … even if that life was about to be cut short.

Deus came up from behind me, brushing my hair to the side while pressing soft, suggestive kisses down my neck and to my shoulder. I leaned into him, never wanting this to end.

“Is it wrong of me not to want to go back?” I whispered, feeling selfish for even allowing the words to escape.

“Not at all. I was just thinking the same thing.”

“I think I’ve had enough adventure for one lifetime. I just … I just want to be left alone.”

He took my hand and led me up the stairs to the third floor where the balcony doors were frosted over with ice. He pushed them open and pulled me to the railing overlooking the beautiful mountain landscape of Romania.

“This, my love, is what we’re fighting for. This will be waiting for us when we have finished what we’ve set out to do. Our peace. Our sanctuary. And when that day comes, I promise I will do whatever it takes to ensure you live out your long life in completely and utter happiness.”

I looked up at him, my heart swelling with love. “Thank you for sharing your home with me.”

“Baby … it wasn’t a home until you landed in a blazing funnel of fire on that very floor,” he replied gesturing back inside. “I should be the one thanking you. Now, I have one more thing to show you before we return to Triora.” He extended his hand to me.

I took it, following him back into the castle. The halls were unusually quiet. Only goldaburgs and a few meek female servants busied themselves with housework. There were no sounds of parties, no laughter or sensual music, no sounds of sex.

“Where is everyone?” I asked.

“What do you mean?”

“The parties. The orgies. The scantily-clothed women.”

He laughed. “There’s no need for all that anymore.”

I pulled back, stopping us in the middle of the hallway. “What are you talking about? You’re the Prince of Lust. There’s always going to be need for that .”

He smiled. “Seren, you provide every bit of what I need. Truly. My power, my body, has never felt more satisfied in my entire existence. I am complete … because of you.”

A sick feeling filled me. That feeling of completion would be short lived. The women, the parties, the sex would all have to return, sooner rather than later, because I would be stuck in Hell, never able to step foot in this world again. Since my human body would no longer exist, Deus would need to take others to maintain his power. Lust needed to be unleashed on earth to balance the needs of Hell. I needed to prepare myself and somehow figure out how to accept it.

Disgust enveloped me at the thought of my mate sharing a bed with someone else. I turned away from him, trying to hide my emotions.

“What is it?” he asked, his face full of concern. “Why are you feeling this way?”

“Nothing,” I replied, trying to shake the feeling. “I’m just upset we have to leave our home so soon.”

His face softened as he pressed his forehead against mine, tangling his fingers through my hair.

“You know,” he said softly. “I was also thinking … maybe after everything settles down, you’d consider blessing me with a son or daughter. We could fill these halls with small giggles and children laughing and pl aying.”

I pulled back in shock, as if someone had reached into my lungs and ripped the air out completely. I knew my face was hiding none of it.

Deus’s smile fell, replaced with an expression of worry. “I’m sorry,” he said. “I didn’t mean to pressure you. I was just thinking—”

“—I can’t have children,” I blurted out. “I’m the vessel. None of the vessels have ever produced children.”

“None of them have lived long enough to really try. There’s no proof that you can’t have offspring.”

“I … I …” I couldn’t find my voice. Deus’s faced shifted again. I could feel the embarrassment, the shame and worry flicker down the bond.

“I know I’m not perfect, and I am fully aware of my shortcomings, but I promise you Seren, I would do my best to be a good father. Regardless of what I am.”

I shook my head, still trying to comprehend that he actually desired children—something I would never be able to give him. I grabbed his face, pulling it into mine.

“You would be an amazing father, Asmodeus. I don’t doubt that for a minute. I love everything about you and so would our children.” I pulled away, looking into his blue eyes. “You just threw me off guard. I didn’t know a Prince of Hell desired children.”

“The thought has never really crossed my mind. Not until I found you,” he admitted.

My heart crumbled into pieces, tears pricking my eyes. I smiled, swallowing my pain. “Nothing would bring me more happiness than to start a family with you. Nothing.” I pressed a kiss to his lips, hoping my performance would hold. “Now … you had something to show me?”

Deus led us to the throne room. Behind the massive double doors, an empty ballroom sat quietly, undisturbed. He shut the doors behind us before leading me to the platform where a new throne had been placed. The gold metalwork around the frame was extraordinary, the phases of the moon carved into the metal.

Among the gilding I noted the Salvo crest, along with that of Asmodeus’s coat of arms representing Romania. Mountains and suns scattered throughout the collage of symbols, pentagrams and arches representing my gate. A black metal intertwined the intricate details of the throne. On the face of the left armrest, Deus’s initials were carved into the surface. On the right, my own. The cushions were covered in red velvet, not a thread out of place. The entire piece of art was magnificent and created with such care and detail.

I turned back to my husband and smiled. “Our story,” I whispered. “You had our story carved into the throne.”

He stepped up next to me and smiled. “A wedding gift. Something that represents our past and our future.”

“It’s perfect,” I said, throwing my arms around him, passionately kissing his lips. His arms locked around my waist while I pressed my body into his, craving every ounce of physical contact.

I trailed my fingers through his hair, gliding my tongue along the seam of his mouth, committing every moment to memory. My hands slid down his chest as the desire inside of me began to take over. The unquenchable thirst I couldn’t control.

My fingers fumbled with the button of his pants, desperately pulling at the fabric. Deus pulled away, in a calmer state than I appeared to be. His eyes searched my own.

“I need you,” I said desperately, freeing the button from the loop. “Please. I need you now.” I flung myself back into him, ravenously kissing the column of his neck, biting and scratching my way across his skin before I pulled his pants from his perfect body.

His desire erupted just before he flung me around. I braced on the arm of our throne while he lifted my dress up, ripping my underwear clean off and plunging himself deep inside of me. I screamed, grasping the soft velvety fabric. He pulled me upright, kissing and nipping at my neck while his hands roaming my body, finally freeing me from the last article of clothing.

With one arm, he held me steady around my waist as he took me slowly, savoring the feeling of our bodies connected. He cupped my breast with his other hand, kneading it softly. I leaned back into him, steadying myself as I focused on the feeling of him pushing in and out of me.

“You are so beautiful,” he whispered in my ear, pressing a line of kisses down my neck. “And the way you taste …” he growled, sending a shiver down my spine. “Fuck, don’t get me started on the way you feel. The little moans that I can draw from you. How wet and perfectly tight you fit around my cock. How smooth and soft your skin is.”

His hand traced up my body until his fingers tangled in my hair, pulling my head back. “And this hair … mm, you have no idea how much I love to see it splayed out on the bed as your body is laid out below me like a feast.” He bent me forward, positioning his hands on either of my hips, holding me tightly while he slammed into me.

I closed my eyes, feeling like I was going to come undone. Right before I found my release, he pulled from inside of me, turning me towards him and hauling me up, placing my legs around his waist. He carried me to the wall behind the throne, pressing my back into the cold stone, pinning my hands above me and taking my mouth with his .

He pressed back inside of me, my body shivering, a groan of pleasure erupting from my lips. Our bodies moved in one unified motion, his mouth never leaving mine. This intimacy, this connection, could never be matched.

As my pleasure grew, the connection between us seemed to strengthen. I danced from his perspective to my own, sharing in our love and ecstasy. He was gentle, making love to me while sating every one of my needs. He buried his head into my neck, tightening his grip on me as he found his release. I wrapped my arms around him, holding his beautiful body close, taking him in.

He chuckled and allowed my body to slide down the wall. He kissed me again, touching the ring on my left hand.

“You’re mine,” he said, his gaze loving. “You’re really mine.”

“Forever and always.” I stroked my hands down his arms. “I’ve seen the darkest side of you and somehow, I love you more for it.”

“Sometimes, I think this is a dream I’ll wake from … and realize I am still back in Lucifer’s dungeons, being tortured,” he admitted, his face falling in shame.

I cupped his cheek with my hand. “I’m real,” I said with a small smile. “And you’re free and will remain that way. I promise.”

He smiled. “Though I am still sometimes haunted from what I’ve experienced and the things I’ve done, I would do it a thousand times over to end up here with you.”

“Me too,” I whispered. “You’re worth everything to me.”

He shook his head in disbelief. “Father, I am so happy.”

“That means I’m doing my job then.”

“I love you, wife.”

“I love you too, husband.”

As we dressed, I tried not to ponder how I would never see my home again. The next time Deus returned to Romania, he would be a widower, haunted by the happy memories we had just created. It will be worth it , I told myself. I had promised that he would remain free, and so he would.

We shifted to my room in Castle Salvo. When we opened the door to the hallway, witches and warlocks from every coven yelled, clapped, and hollered. Poppers sounded, spraying red and black confetti into the air as Deus and I walked hand in hand through the tunnel of people.

Despite my impending demise looming closer, I couldn’t help it … I smiled. I had lived such a full life. I had created memories with my family that would transcend time and space. I had found my strength and the power I had always possessed. I got to experience loss, heartbreak, and a love many will never know. My life may be short, but it was full … so beautifully full.

People congratulated us, shaking Deus’s hand and hugging me. I spotted Delphine in the crowd. She smiled softly and nodded her congratulations. I nodded back, thinking of Orion.

We finally got to the end of the hall where our family and close friends waited for us. Mammon and Belz spoke in a heated conversation to the side. Levi and Gor stood next to Frankie and G. Nonna’s face beamed with happiness as she opened her arms to me, Aunt Thora and Mother flanking either side.

“Oh, bambinas,” Nonna said, pulling both Deus and I into her. I found it funny she referred to Deus as a baby, even though he was older than the world itself. “How was it?”

Frankie snickered behind her. I pressed my lips together, hiding the devious smile that threatened to tell our secrets.

“It was perfect,” Deus answered with grace, as if we hadn’t just been fucking each other brainless all over the castle. God, if they only knew the things he had done to me. “They will never,” he said mind to mind.

“I’m so glad to hear that,” replied Nonna.

Frankie careened into me next, squeezing the breath out of me. My tired body moaned in protest.

“I can’t wait to hear all about it,” she whispered.

“The things I’ve learned in just two days,” I whispered back. She chuckled, winking at me. Deus shook his head as if he knew I was going to tell her every detail. He shook Levi’s hand, pulling his brother into an embrace before moving onto Gor. My mother and Thora embraced me into a twin sandwich.

“You look so in love,” Aunt Thora commented.

My mother moved my hair back and arched her eyebrow, her face going stern. “Did you two not have enough food wherever you were?” she asked. Thora hit her arm, hiding her laughter with her hand.

I pulled my hair back over my neck, blood rushing to my cheeks. “We ate,” I answered.

“Yes,” Mom said, “I can see that.”

“Any developments?” I asked, desperate to change the subject.

“Unfortunately, yes,” a deep, elegant female voice answered behind me. I turned to see Talia a few feet away in a deep blue, floor-length dress. I gave her a small smile.

“What has happened?” Deus asked while the witches and warlocks filtered out of the hall, returning to their normal routines.

“I believe he has found the ingredients needed to enact the barrier spell,” she answered. “I can feel his power growing. He is preparing for war. The spell is going to drain all magic from anyone who is caught in its net. It will be permanent until the vessels he ties them to are killed. ”

“How do you know this?” asked Deus.

Her jaw tightened. “Because he is using a spell I wrote,” she answered with vengeance lacing her tone.

“And why would you ever need a spell like that?” asked Frankie.

Talia’s eyes turned to my cousin, emotionless. “I created it for Lucifer, to trap the remaining witches loyal to Aradia so he could absorb their magic with less … resistance.”

“Fuck,” said Belz, running his hand through his hair.

“And what about these vessels?” asked Gor.

“Knowing Luc,” said Talia, “he will choose supernatural beings that are hard to kill. Thick hides to act as armor. Tremendous strength. Lethal blows. Something that is going to take more than one of us to take down.”

“Okay,” Frankie said. “So, we set up five teams. Their sole purpose: destroying their assigned relic vessel.”

“It’s a good plan,” commented Talia, “but he will be expecting that.”

“It’s the only plan that we have,” said Levi, as we filed into Nonna’s room.

“Then, how is our plan going to even stand a chance?” asked G.

Talia turned to me, and I swore I could see something dark and demented creeping behind her glassy eyes. “Me,” she said plainly.

“We’re planning our entire strategy around your assumption of his plans. What certainties can you actually give us?” asked Gor.

Talia’s eyes slid to him. “I shared a mind with that sadistic bastard for centuries,” she said, flashing her teeth. “I know how he thinks. How he operates. I would have taken the same steps to ensure my plan succeeded. We are one and the same.”

“Father, help us,” Belz mumbled, taking a step away.

“Do you know where he is going to be?” asked Thora.

“It has to be somewhere he is able to harness enough magic from the earth,” my mother stated. “Somewhere open, vast, and yet a place of great destruction and war.”

Gor went rigid, his eyes locking with Deus’s. “Egypt,” Gor whispered.

“The holy land,” Deus finished.

Talia smiled, shaking her head. “Back to the beginning we go,” she said, pouring herself a glass of hard liquor and throwing it back.

“Well, help yourself, why don’t you,” Nonna said.

Talia frowned at her. “May I?” She gestured dramatically to the canter.

“Ah,” Nonna scoffed, tossing her hands in the air.

“That desert is massive,” said Gor. “How are we going to know where to shift the covens in?”

Talia raised her hand, tilting her head with a little smirk. “Me again,” she answered. “I can sense him.”

“If you can sense him, doesn’t that mean he can sense you?” asked G.

“No,” I answered, remembering my time in Hell. “Talia can find him because she has a soul. The bond is still alive in her, pulling her towards her mate.” I turned to Deus. “Just like our bond pulled me to you in the pit.” He gave me a small smile filled with pain from those memories.

“Luc is soulless,” agreed Talia, “thus, he can’t feel the bond between us.”

“Dammit, you are useful,” commented Mammon.

“Too useful,” Belz said, stepping towards her. “Our entire plan is based on our trust in Lucy’s mate.” He paused, looking around at the group. “Does anyone else not see the problem here? She will lead us to him. She knows his plan and just happens to be the key to his undoing. How is no one else questioning this right now?”

“You can question my intent all you wish,” Talia fired back. “I don’t give a damn if you trust me or not. I will end Lucifer with or without your help. You need me … I don’t need you. Now, if you will all excuse me, I’ve had just about enough of this insufferable banter.” She brushed through the group and left.

“Great plan,” said Gor. “Let’s just piss off our greatest asset.”

“She is telling the truth,” added Giana. “I can feel her intent. She is in pain, but her resolve is unwavering. She will kill Lucifer, regardless of the cost.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of,” Belz said.