Chapter 51
A MONTH LATER
I dragged Elise down the hall watching as people filtered in through the front doors of the great hall. Enchanters and angels stood at the doors to take their coats and help them in any way they could.
The grumpy demon grumbled but allowed me to continue to pull her forward. Natalia had been in talks with Maurice about hosting a gathering that could be the setting for a new realm. The buzz that it created was massive. The grand hall in The Skies was huge and Natalia had it decorated just for this occasion. Tiny orbs of light were strung on the ceiling. Ivy circled the columns and multicolored lights flickered as if by magic in between the ivy itself. A bar cart was placed at each corner and there were so many dancing bodies, I couldn’t even count.
“Dani, I put on a fucking dress for this shit, what more do you want from me?”
I turned around to face her. “You can’t just hide in one of their kitchens because you don’t want to socialize.”
Elise snorted, giving me a lackluster curtsy in her thigh length black strapless dress. “Fine, I’ll go socialize by the bar, if I must.” She gave me a middle finger before trotting over to one of the bar carts.
I followed her to the one closest to the door. Before I could even sidle up next to her, she had ordered shots. “You are just a ball of sunshine, aren’t you?”
She scoffed. “I’m a riot.”
I turned to look out at the dance floor seeing Beetee, in her hot pink dress, get low to the ground so she could let Leah’s son twirl her. Things were getting a bit easier, Leah was coming around more often and her smile was becoming more genuine.
“Beetee and I are leaving,” Elise announced.
I sucked in a breath, confused. “Leaving?”
“Back to Purgatory.”
“But wait, you…” I started but Reese came up cutting me off. “Oh, no you’re leaving. How sad. If you need help packing, don’t ask me because I’m busy.”
I shushed the blonde angel. “Slow down. Why?”
Elise slapped the bar, insinuating that she wanted another shot. “Because this isn’t my vibe okay. You might enjoy this vomit inducing realm where you get fucked on the regular by a pretty angel but yeah, I do not.”
Reese had his drink to his lips right as he sputtered. “I know very well that my friends are fucking but I really don’t like to openly talk about it.”
Elise rolled her eyes. “You don’t have to worry about Dimitri’s father or anyone else coming after you. He thought he could promise Lucifer something he couldn’t deliver so the big guy isn’t about to come here and demand it himself. It wasn’t his idea, so he’s not going to spare his precious time with ideals from a pretentious prick who got his ass handed to him by a hybrid.”
“And you’re so sure about this whole we are safe from the likes of Hell because…how?” Reese pressed, looking over his drink at her. His hazel eyes narrowed.
“I just fucking am. And I’ll make sure of it.”
I clucked my tongue. “How do you plan to do that? You are quite scary, but you aren’t that scary.” I fanned the ends of her hair with my fingers.
She made a shooing motion at me. “I’ll run Purgatory.”
Reese sputtered into his drink for the second time, placing it on the bar. He opened his mouth to make a joke, but then he stopped. “Actually, I think that’s kind of perfect for you. You can just tower over everyone and stomp all over their dreams, like the little menace you are.”
“You can just do that? Take over?” I asked, leaning against the bar.
I hadn’t realized Beetee was standing in front of us until she spoke,“of course she can, next to you, she was basically next in line to succeed Lilith. Even if that wasn’t the case, it’s pretty much set in stone by…”
Elise shushed her. I narrowed my eyes at her, wondering what she was being so coy about. “Set in stone by the fact that Purgatory isn’t the kind of territory where the residents can vote. Their choices are either me or death so it’s probably a really tough call.” She grabbed her third shot, downing it.
Beetee shook her head, fanning herself. “I love it here, Dani, but my place is at the hostel. My moms are ready to go home, but Natalia is giving me a key so I can come back.” She squealed with joy doing a twirl.
“You all look lovely,” Natalia complimented, her hair in a multitude of twists that were piled on top of her in a neat bun. Earrings adorned the outside of her ear and two bangles sat firmly at her biceps.
“I do clean up nice.” Reese ran his hands down the lapels of his navy suit jacket.
Natalia raised an eyebrow at him, but didn’t give in to his obvious need for more compliments. “I hope you are enjoying yourselves and not fretting about the future. As much as I enjoy a good strategy plan, I like to think some mind numbing fun is always in order.”
I laughed. “I’m really sorry, but there is just something stopping me from seeing you have mind numbing fun.”
Natalia proceeded to speak but Elise cut her off, “we all know the high witch just needs to get laid. That kind of plan worked for sweet old Nicholas and he is happier than ever, give or take some missteps.”
Reese groaned. “Do you just speak to hear yourself talk?”
I drummed my fingers on the bar. “As much as I respect sex as a coping mechanism. That would have to be a very secure woman and I think Natalia has better things to do than find a worthy sex partner.”
Natalia nodded. “You would be correct, but I assure you finding them isn’t a difficult task.” She lifted her shoulder in a simple shrug.
Beetee’s lilac eyes widened, as Elise cackled, lifting up her next shot. “I have no doubt they all salivate over that enchanting pussy you’re hiding.”
Reese slammed his drink down, wiping his mouth. “For fucks sake, I need something stronger if I’m going to stay in this conversation.” He motioned to the bartender. “Can I have tequila in the biggest glass you have?”
“What did I just walk into?” A familiar deep voice pulled me out of my laughing fit. Lips kissed the top of my head and I leaned back against the warm body of my angel.
“Uh, nothing just….girl talk.”
“Girl talk indeed.” Natalia hummed. Zane came up behind her with a drink in his hand.
“Your Highness.” He handed her the glass and she smiled at him gratefully.
Beetee cleared her throat. “Ellie, why don’t you come dance with me and the kids.”
Elise gave her a hard look. “Yeah, hard pass.”
“Damn you are heartless,” Reese said, waggling his finger at her.
Natalia let out a light laugh, taking a sip of her drink. “Well that can’t be true. I heard from Leah that you are leaving Axel here for the children. She actually said that you insisted he stay here with them and that you would come back with Beetee when you could to check up on him.” Natalia’s honey eyes sparkled with delight. “Or I could be wrong, but I am quite certain that’s that truth.” Natalia patted Zane’s arm and he followed her away from us and in the direction of where Maurice was standing.
“Aw, Elise, that's actually kind of sweet.” Nick went to pinch her arm but she swatted him away.
“You shut the fuck up or I will make it so you never wield a sword ever again.” Elise let out the loudest groan of annoyance. She was about to turn around and ask for another drink, but Beetee grabbed her hand.
“Come on Ellie, your threats are futile at the moment. Let’s dance with the children you pretend not to like even though you have a soft spot for them, just like you do for all of them.” The pink haired demon eyed each of us, but Elise refused to look anywhere but straight ahead.
“Fucking fine you insufferable reptile.”
Before she could get too far, I ran over to her. “Nick told me that you called me your friend after Dimitri took me. Well, after you handed him his ass about his inner demons.”
Elise gave me an unamused look. “Your point?”
“No point just letting you know that I know. You don’t ever have to say it to my face, but I’m happy you admitted it to someone.”
Elise pulled at one of my curls, watching it spring upward when she let it go. “My dog isn’t the only reason I plan to visit.”
My lips lifted into a small smile. “You’ll make a cutthroat queen of darkness.”
She tapped her index finger to her chin. “Yeah, I think mistress is more appropriate.” She wiggled her dark eyebrows. Elise looked over my shoulder at where Nicholas and Reese spoke. “Pretty boy hurts you and I’ll cut his dick off and feed it to Blondie.” With that she turned around and trudged over to where Yuri and Jasmine danced out of rhythm with Beetee and their mom.
Leah looked over at me and gave me a smile that had me returning one back to her.
I made my way back to the bar cart, catching the middle of the two boys' conversation.
“All I’m saying is that your dad is the man in charge now, so I wouldn’t mind if he played favorites. I will never say no to nepotism. I’m quite literally like a second son to him.”
Nick laughed. “You’ll have to take that up with him. He’s having a meeting with every angel in the coming months to reevaluate and hopefully get this place to an honorable standard.”
I slid my arms around Nick’s waist and he pulled me closer to him. “Your father is going to do wonderful things.”
“Just because you are dating his son doesn’t mean Maurice won’t make you work, just like the rest of us.” Reese slid my drink over to me and I stuck my tongue out at him. “I’m still the favorite, alright.” He smirked over at Nick who gave him a nod as if he agreed completely.
I rolled my eyes.“You still need to come by and get your lucky charm.”
Reese shrugged. “I’ll get it. Since this is your home now, I think I’ll know where to find you.” He lifted his chin to Nick who kissed the side of my head.
My home. I had felt lighter walking around this place and knowing there wasn’t some impending doom I had to wait for. My mind was clearer now that I had a place to be my entire self and someone entertaining the idea that I could cause chaos but that I could also be the glue that holds everything together.
“You look beautiful,” Nick whispered against my hair. I spun around to give him the full effect of my dress. The sleeves had tiny specks of sparkle in the thin fabric and the bodice and skirt were black velvet, reaching right at my knees. I pressed my hands to his chest, feeling my palms heat, but not enough to burn his dress shirt.
Daya and Maurice waved at us from their place across the room and a sense of pride filled my chest knowing that I had allies on all fronts. I had come into this entire thing thinking I could flirt my way through a mission and go back to Purgatory, but thinking things are simple in this life seemed to always be a misguided mistake.
Love and an odd type of destiny wasn’t what I had in mind, but it’s what I got. I wasn’t complaining but it had me pondering on the future.
Alex rushed over to us, her long dress showcasing her mid size figure. She had dyed the front pieces of her hair a stark white, making the whiskey color of her eyes pop. “You can’t stand here. You have to dance! If I don’t make you, my mom sure as hell will. And trust me you do not want that.”
I giggled watching her grab Reese’s hand and pull him to the dance floor where Xander and Natalia were having the time of their lives it seemed. Even Zane was letting loose in the best way he could, his shoulders doing a small shimmy every now and then.
I tugged Nick’s hand, but he pulled me back. I gave him a curious look. “Don’t tell me that you don’t dance, Nicholas. We both know that’s a lie.”
He shook his head, leaning his face down to kiss me. “No, I’ll dance with you. I just like having you to myself every chance I get.”
I kissed him back. “I am quite a prize, aren’t I?”
“And so modest too.”
I pulled back, gripping his hand and pulling him into the circle of our friends.
“Where are we going?” Nick asked, as I pulled him down the hall. We dodged plenty of Enchanters wanting to stop us and talk or angels who wanted to tell him how great it was that his father was at the helm now. He could talk to them later, but right now, he was mine.
“You asked that a few minutes ago and I told you to just wait,” I scolded, making a turn and then opening the door to the storage closet.
I tossed him inside, closing the door behind us. String lights were tumbling out of a box on one of the shelves and I pointed my finger at them. A spark of light flew from my fingertip and towards the lights. The moment the light touched them, they flickered on, giving us some dim lighting in the room.
Nick turned on his heels. “You brought me into a closet, because…”
I got up on my tiptoes when I was close enough and nuzzled my nose against his. “Oh, so you don’t want to have sex with me in a closet?”
He placed his hands at my sides, squeezing. He moved me so I was flush against him. “No, but a little warning would be nice.”
“Not in my nature, plus I like to keep you on your toes, Nicholas .” I nipped at his lips.
I walked him backwards so that his back hit the wall. My hands worked on his belt, undoing it and shoved his pants and underwear to the ground. I grabbed his cock, stroking it, letting my thumb flick over the head. He let out a hiss of satisfaction.
He hardened quickly in my hand and I dropped to my knees, not giving him a moment to prepare himself before I took him into my mouth. I used my hand to work the parts of him I couldn’t reach. I looked up, seeing his eyes hooded and watching me.
I swallowed his cock down, pulling back and licking the underside of his shaft before taking him in my mouth again. His thighs tensed as I scratched my nails down his skin. I bobbed back and forth, swirling my tongue at the head of his dick when I could.
“Fuck, that’s so good. That’s my girl,” he praised, threading his fingers into my hair. He pushed me down further, but then let me up for air.
He let out a choked laugh before stopping me and pushing me lightly back by my shoulders. He bent down, hauling me up by my waist and placed me on the table that seriously needed a good dusting. He leaned down to kiss me, curling his tongue with mine and sliding his hand up my thigh.
“I’m such a good girl that I decided to not wear panties tonight, just so you wouldn’t have to work so hard.” I blinked innocently at him.
He groaned, leaning into my neck to plant kisses there. Kisses that felt like an inferno against my skin. “Very considerate of you.”
“I’m a sweetheart.” I reached down between my legs, swiping a finger over my pussy and placing it at his lips.
His tongue came out and savored my taste. “Already so wet, aren’t you?”
I bit my bottom lip and nodded. He grabbed my thighs and yanked me to the edge of the table. He bent down, bringing his face around to kiss the healed scar on my thigh. It was a bit worse now that I’d burnt through more layers of skin than I would have liked. He kissed every inch of where the skin was raised, keeping his eyes on me the entire time.
He brought his face to my pussy, after my attempt at pulling his hair to get him where I wanted him. He licked at my core, flicking his tongue over my clit. I let out a relieved moan as I tilted my head back, spreading my legs out more for him. He pressed his face against me harder; I was sure his air supply was low with the way he devoured me. He stuck his tongue in my entrance, taking it out to place his tongue flat and lick me completely. He pushed my thighs up to trace a circle around my tight hole and then back up to my clit making me shiver with need.
Nick stood up, bringing my mouth to his as he pressed his fingers inside of me and curled them. He fucked me with his fingers and his thumb massaged my clit. I whimpered into his mouth as his fingers moved harder, the heel of his hand replacing his thumb as it pressed against my aching clit with each of his movements.
“Let me see how beautiful you are when you come, Dani. I want to see that pretty light of yours.”
I moaned, gripping the edge of the table and hearing it whine and sizzle as my light came out, burning the wood. The brightness seeped out between my fingers. “Yes, yes, yes!” I yelled, feeling the wood burn completely and dust particles came off of where the missing piece used to be.
I let the remnants fall away from my hand. I could have chuckled from this incident, but my body was pulled off of the table and turned around. Nick placed a hand at my back pushing me flat against the wood. He kicked my legs apart and I felt his cock slide over where I was wet and needy.
He clucked his tongue. “I think your light can do so much better than that, needy one.”
He pressed into me, moving my dress up so he could palm my ass. He thrusted forward, pulling back and then thrusting again. He held my hips tightly as he started to fuck me hard, his pelvis slapping against my ass filled the room and probably any nearby area outside the door.
“Always take my cock so perfectly .” He groaned, pulling my hips back harder as he pounded into me.
He spanked me, grabbing my arms and crossing them over one another at my back. He held them in place with one of his hands and kept moving inside of me. He reached forward and grabbed my hair, twisting my curls in his fist as he pulled my head back.
My breaths were shallow as I moaned against the table. “Oh god, keep going, please.”
“Is this pretty pussy going to come for me?”
He released my hands, spanking me again and reaching around to run his fingers over my clit. “Yes, Nick, please.”
He let go of my hair, placing his hand on top of my own on the table. His palm ran over the back of my hand, threading his fingers through mine. He pounded harder, shifting the table as he thrusted. I saw the stars shining behind my eyes and I felt my hand start to heat, along with my shadows that slithered up my legs and around his body, keeping him inside of me as I came. The light from my hand shot out and he quickly let out his own, subduing any major damage. I shivered from the way my shadows caressed his body, as if I could feel everything he was feeling.
He moved inside of me in quick succession before coming, holding onto my hip. My light flickered out and he grazed his hand over my arm and past my shoulders. Nick leaned down kissing my spine. “I am so fucking in love with you.”
I giggled, wiggling my ass against him. “I am so fucking in love with you too.” He pulled out of me, adjusting the bottom of my dress before turning me around. He made sure his pants were safely secured by his belt before he tucked a piece of my hair behind my ear, twirling one of my curls with his fingers.
I leaned up to kiss him. “I think having a hybrid girlfriend turns you on a little.”
“Hmm, I think you just turn me on generally.”
I let him twirl me around, bringing me into his chest as I laughed. “You and me, Nicholas.”
I let my shadows travel over his neck, but his eyes were set on mine. Nothing about my powers fazed him anymore and he simply accepted what I had to offer him.
He held my hand, bringing it up and letting his light move against my fingertips. “Existing with all the scars. Together.”