Chapter 85
“In a cat’s eyes, all things belong to cats.”
—ENGLISH PROVERB
A fter my coronation, the feast began. The dance floor was cleared, and tables with black tablecloths and ornate gourd-inspired centerpieces appeared.
The long table where we normally sat for breakfast reappeared. Much like the first morning I had breakfast in Hell, Ramel perched me on his lap in what I had come to realize was our throne. Shem sat in his usual place to our right, and I asked Jezebel to sit on my left. She looked surprised but pleased by my invitation and settled in next to me.
Before my eyes, charcuterie boards appeared, filled with every cheese you could imagine. Fruit, nuts, and little pots filled with jams and honey manifested on the tables, making my mouth water. I immediately leaned forward to make myself a cracker. Ramel pinched my hip playfully, causing me to jump.
“Are you going to make me one of those?” he asked, looking pointedly at the little cracker I had spread with a soft gorgonzola. I grinned and rolled my eyes, stuffing the cheesy snack into his mouth.
“Happy?” I asked, and he grinned at me devilishly while he chewed, his hazel eyes glinting in the green light.
‘Very,’ he purred into my mind, pulling my hips more firmly into his lap.
I was twisting around to prepare another cracker when the angel with the auburn hair approached.
“What do you want, Gabriel?” Ramel asked the angel, sounding bored. I frowned. I had come to learn that when Ramel sounded bored, it really meant he had his guard up and considered the person he was speaking to as a threat. I glanced over at Shem to find him sprawled back in his chair. He was watching the angel with an amused look on his face.
The angel straightened from his bow and slid his hands into his pockets. He answered Ramel, though he was looking at Shem while he spoke.
“I came to request a seat with the General.” A small but sinister smile curled on the angel’s lips. “Considering I was personally invited by Shemhazai, I was hoping to be granted an audience.”
Shem looked like a cat who had just caught himself a fat fish.
“What makes you think you deserve a seat up here with us?” Shem asked, his tone dark and full of mischief.
Gabriel’s eyes flashed, and his smirk widened. “If you don’t feel that I do, then I’m willing to do what is necessary to earn it.”
Shem groaned and dropped his head back, running his hand down the front of his face. “ Fuck , Gabriel. You’re making me hard.”
I giggled and exchanged a look with Jezebel. Was this angel flirting with Shem? Gabriel’s grin widened just as a creamy soup manifested in the gleaming silver bowls that sat before us. The first course was a pumpkin soup, and I fingered the matte black spoon that sat next to the dish, marveling at how beautifully everything had come together. Shem really did know how to throw a party. I would give him that.
“Does that mean you’ll let me sit with you?” The angel asked, and Shem dropped his chin in his hand, leaning his elbow on the table.
“No. If I let you sit with me, I’ll end up fucking you in front of all these demons… which normally wouldn’t be a problem.” Shem winked. “But this is Lilith’s night. I don’t want to steal her thunder.” Shem’s eyes trailed up and down the angel’s body before he continued. “You look good in black, though. I suppose I could allow you to kneel at my feet. If you’re a good boy, maybe I’ll reward you after the party.”
Gabriel looked unsure for a moment. “Kneel at your feet?” He glanced over his shoulder to the room full of immortals who had tucked into their first course. Many of them were watching this interaction as intently as Ramel, Jezebel, and I were. It was clear he wasn’t comfortable submitting to Shem in such a public setting.
The smile vanished from Shem’s face. “I thought you said you would be willing to do what was necessary to earn a place next to me?” Shem challenged, his expression flipping from playful to authoritarian in an instant. I had seen him pull that same switch on me countless times. It was all fun and games with Shem until you disobeyed. “Get on your knees before I put you there.”
“He did this to himself, really,” Jezebel quipped, taking a large sip of wine. “He shouldn’t have come up here.”
Ramel reached around me and scooped up some soup, bringing the spoon to my lips. I opened for him and moaned. It was delicious. The soup had been seasoned with hazelnut and cloves. Fucking perfection.
“He wants Hazai to dominate him. He just doesn’t know how to ask for it yet,” Ramel said. I turned back to meet his gaze. He no longer looked bored, just amused.
“Is that how you felt about me? I never asked to be dominated, yet you just helped yourself.”
Ramel chuckled. “You do want to be dominated, deathtrap,” he insisted, tracing the tip of the now-empty spoon gently over my lips. “I can tell by how wet your pussy gets when I force you to obey.” I couldn’t hide my shiver, and his grin widened. “Now, be quiet and watch the show,” he said, gently turning my head back to face Gabriel. He was still hesitating when Art appeared. He looked annoyed.
“What are you doing up here? Get back to your assigned seat,” Art ordered, and Gabriel glared at him. Apparently, that was all the convincing he needed to finally heed Shem’s order. He stalked around the table and stood next to Shem. His expression was tight, and I could tell he was still fighting an internal battle. Shem leaned back in his seat, spreading his legs wide. He looked up at Gabriel with a cocky smile on his lips and raised an eyebrow.
“Well? I don’t have all night, Gabe. Get on your fucking knees, or get out of here.”
Art made a strangled sound of protest, and Gabe met his gaze before finally making his decision. He dropped to his knees on the floor next to Shem, staring directly at Art as he did so.
“Shemhazai has assigned me a new seat.” He smirked, and even I could hear the taunting challenge in his tone.
“Hmm, well, this just got a hell of a lot more interesting,” Jezebel quipped, idly stirring her soup as we watched their little drama unfold.
Shem reached out and ran his fingers through Gabriel’s thick hair, stroking him like he was a favored pet. Both Gabe’s and Art’s cheeks flushed, though I assumed for very different reasons.
“Such a good boy,” Shem purred, grinning down at Gabe. “You’ve earned a treat.” He plucked a grape off one of the cheese boards and held it up to the angel’s lips. “Open up,” he ordered. Gabriel’s cheeks flushed an even deeper shade of red, but he maintained eye contact with Art as he did what he was told, opening his mouth and accepting the grape Shem had offered.
“Shemhazai,” Art said, his expression tight. “May I have a word? ”
Shem barely looked at him; he seemed too engrossed by the angel who had willingly knelt at his side. Running a thumb over the male’s lips, he nearly purred.
“I wonder what else you would do to earn the right to fill up this pretty mouth…” he murmured, though it sounded like he was speaking to himself more than Gabe.
“Shemhazai!” Art barked, finally getting Shem’s attention. The cat demon’s head snapped to face Art, and his expression was no longer playful; it was angry.
“Raise your voice to me again, Art, and see what fucking happens,” he snarled, his pupils turning to slits in the green light.
“Holy shit,” Jezebel said, and I felt my eyes widen.
“He’s actually mad,” I murmured. I hadn’t ever seen Shem truly mad before. The closest I had seen him to angry was at the forced wedding when I had accepted Art’s bullshit offer to help me escape.
The blood drained from Art’s face, and for a moment, I almost felt bad for him.
“Shemhazai, I just want? — ”
“Do I fucking look like I care what you want, Arteqoph?” Shem snapped at him. “Your carelessness put Lilith in danger — s he could have died. ” Shem stood up suddenly, his chair scraping back. He placed both palms flat on the table and pinned Art with a glare. “We told you to keep Mike’s death under wraps, and the first thing you did was tell Jezebel. You didn’t even have the fucking foresight to make sure she knew it was confidential information.”
Art dropped to his knees, bowing his head until his chin hit his chest.
“I’m sorry, it was a mistake.”
Shem hissed. “I don’t have time for demons who make mistakes. Especially mistakes that put my queen in danger.”
“Shem — ”
“You no longer have permission to speak. In the unlikely event that I deign to speak to you, you will address me as Sir . Is that clear?”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Get out of my fucking sight before I string you up next to Rafael.”
Art got to his feet, looking furious and humiliated.
Gabriel was looking pleased, and Jezebel just seemed annoyed. “I can’t believe you didn’t tell me it was a secret,” she muttered, and Art’s gaze snapped to hers.
“Shut up, Jezebel. You would have been fucking happy if Lilith died, then you would have had Ramel all to yourself. That was probably your plan this whole time. You’re trying to throw me under the bus to save your own ass,” he snarled, and Jezebel’s mouth dropped open in shock.
Gabriel rolled his eyes, causing Art to turn his attention to him. “And you! You think I can’t see through this fucking act? Shemhazai is the most powerful demon in all of Hell. Of course you would try to get close to him. I’m going to expose you both; just you fucking watch.” Without another word, Art turned on his heel and stormed out of the dining hall, slamming ruthlessly into any demon or angel unlucky enough to get in his way.
I felt heat rush to my face as the hall fell silent. Everyone was staring at us.
Jezebel looked horrified, and Ramel’s mouth settled into a firm, angry line.
“Shemhazai — ” Gabriel was the first to try and speak, but Shem hissed at him, his face contorted with rage.
“Did I say you could speak?”
Gabriel swallowed but shook his head. “No, Sir.” He dropped his gaze, and Shem relaxed slightly.
“You will stay right where you are so I can keep an eye on you,” Shem growled before turning his attention to me. “Lilith… you ok?” he asked, his tone considerably softer.
“Deathtrap…” Ramel said, his voice full of concern. I glanced back at him to find he was looking pale and anxious. Frowning, I turned to look at Jezebel. Her entire face was flushed with guilt, and her lip was clenched between her teeth.
“Did you two… Were you together?” I asked, unsure why the thought made me feel so sick to my stomach.
You know why. You’re jealous.
The other Lilith who lived in my head was stronger now, more than ever. She was beginning to feel less and less like a separate entity. She was me, and she loved Ramel. The other Lilith may not have been monogamous, but I was. I couldn’t lie to myself. The thought of Ramel being intimate with anyone other than me upset me.
“Never,” Ramel said immediately.
I frowned at Jezebel. “You said something while we were getting ready. You said that you wished you had the added benefit of fucking Ramel… something like that.” I watched her carefully, and she pursed her lips.
“Listen, I definitely wouldn’t have said no if Ramel invited me to his bed while you were gone. I even approached him a few times. He’s the King of Hell, any demon would be lucky to have him. The old Lilith didn’t mind sharing… but clearly, the idea upsets you. I would never do anything like that if you didn’t want me to.”
“It doesn’t upset me,” I snapped, and Jezebel gave me a pitying look, clearly not believing me.
“Deathtrap, I’ve never touched Jezebel in that way,” Ramel said softly. He looked like he was terrified I was going to bolt.
“I want to go outside and get some fresh air.”
Ramel’s frown deepened. “Alright, let’s go.”
“Alone,” I said, and he sighed.
“You know I can’t let you do that, Lilith. You’re mortal until midnight, and the veil is practically non-existent right now. It’s too dangerous. ”
Suddenly, Shem interjected. I watched him lean lazily back in his chair, crossing an ankle over his knee. He tossed a grape in the air and caught it effortlessly in his mouth while absently running his fingers through Gabriel’s thick auburn hair.
“Relax, Lil. Ramel hasn’t fucked another demon in over four thousand years. He’s been saving himself for you.” He winked at me. “I made sure of it.”
“I don’t care if he did.” I lied, and Shem barked out a laugh.
“Sure you don’t; that’s why you’re all tense and red.”
I narrowed my eyes on him, but he just grinned. “Chill, Lil, enjoy the feast. The pumpkin carving contest is starting soon, we’ll dance some more and have some drinks. Forget what Art said and have a good night. He’s never been one to accept his punishments gracefully. He was just having a temper tantrum.” He curled his fingers into Gabe’s hair and yanked his head back, looking him in the eyes with that dangerous grin still painted on his face.
“You’re not going to give me trouble like Art does, are you? You’re going to be a good boy.”
Gabriel licked his lips and glanced at the three of us nervously. Ramel cuddled me closer to him and smirked at the angel.
“Answer him, Gabe. Unless you want him to punish you too.”
“He’ll do it,” Jezebel confirmed, tugging on her ugly pink collar.
Gabriel swallowed, but the heat in his eyes was unmistakable. Ramel was right. A part of him wanted this. He wouldn’t have approached the table and offered to do whatever it took to earn Shem’s approval if he didn’t.
The rush of wetness that bloomed beneath my dress from watching him submit to Shem told me that as much as I denied it, I craved it too.
“Yes, Sir. I’ll be good,” Gabe said, and Shem’s grin widened.
“Such a good boy. Open up; you’ve earned another treat.” This time, when Gabe opened his mouth, Shem dropped a thick string of saliva onto his tongue. The angel’s eyes widened in shock, but he didn’t reject it. Shem looked like he had won the fucking lottery.
“Swallow and say thank you,” Shem ordered.
I felt Ramel harden beneath me as the angel did just that. Ramel gently rubbed my thigh and kissed the side of my neck.
I turned to look at him, still feeling the sting from the thought of him fucking Jezebel. Though the rush of arousal that had overcome me from watching Shem and Gabe’s little show had dampened the feelings of uneasiness.
“You promise you never fucked her?” I asked, quietly enough that I hoped no one else could hear.
The corner of Ramel’s mouth twitched.
“Would it bother you if I had?” he asked, running his fingers gently up and down the inside of my thigh. I squirmed in his lap, and he chuckled .
“Yes,” I finally admitted. There was no use in lying. Ramel’s smile widened, and my heart fluttered. He liked that it would have bothered me.
“I promise I’ve never fucked her, deathtrap. I have no intention of ever fucking anyone but you.” He leaned forward and kissed me softly.
“Now, finish your soup so we can start the next course. If you keep looking at me like that, I won’t make it through dinner without bending you over this table.”