Chapter 23 Lucifer
LUCIFER
Luc flew to the nature reserve on the cliffs overlooking Shearwater Landing. The web of illusion Dante, Ash, and Onyx had created around the sanctuary couldn’t repel him any more than it had when he’d first come around. Not even after he’d given back their magic.
But that didn’t mean Luc could get inside.
He hovered above the clifftop, invisible to mortal onlookers, but not to the shearwaters. He revealed himself to the birds on purpose, and a group quickly surrounded him, squawking at deafening levels.
“Dante, I’d like to talk to you and Ash,” he said to a bird.
It screeched in his face and flew off.
A few minutes later, Dante and Ash emerged from the treetops, sunlight glittering off their wings.
“What do you want?” Dante growled, his curling lip giving Onyx a run for his money.
“To talk to you. I don’t have your phone numbers.”
Ash tutted. “That’s not a mistake. Go away.”
“No. I’ll respect your boundaries, but first I need to tell you what I’m planning.” Luc refused to do this through Onyx. It wasn’t the same as getting support from the vampires or Valac.
“Planning?” Ash shot a look at Dante. “You can’t be serious.”
“If it was anything bad, I wouldn’t tell you—”
Dante bowled over him. “We don’t trust you, Luc. Finding your mate doesn’t change that. Nothing comes at face value with you.”
“For a long time, that was true. But you’ll see that’s not how I operate anymore.”
“Or we won’t see, and be much happier for it.” Ash turned away and flew back the way he’d come.
“Everyone else knows.” It was a desperate, manipulative move, but Luc wasn’t giving up easily. He’d respect their wishes to stay away once he had this off his chest.
As expected, Ash swung around. “Everyone who?”
“Onyx, Dex, Valac, Rowan.”
“Rowan?” Ash glared from Luc to Dante in confusion. “The vampire?”
“Yes, Nico’s friend. It goes without saying, Nico knows as well. And Dex will probably tell Ollie, if he hasn’t already.”
Dante’s nostrils flared. “Fine, talk.”
It was too much to hope that Dante would lower his protections and let Luc land. He’d have to do this hovering there like an overgrown bird.
Luc let his bitterness go. “I’m sorry.”
Dante made a rude sound. “That’s what Dex is going to tell Ollie?”
“No. I’ll get to that. But I can’t until I come to you as the man who used to be your friend.
I am so deeply sorry for what I did to both of you.
For not talking to you. Or listening to you.
For disrespecting you. For giving up and not caring about you because I’d stopped caring about myself.
And for hurting you in every conceivable way.
I was wrong to treat you the way I did. It was selfish and cruel.
When you’re ready—if you ever are—I’ll make amends however you deem fit. ”
There was a long silence save for the squawking shearwaters.
Ash hovered as unmoving as possible while keeping himself in the air.
Dante sighed. “Ollie already said he’d forgive you if you gave him Dex.”
“And I’m humbled by the chance he’s given me, but this isn’t about Ollie. This is about the three of us. I hurt you, too, and I’m sorry.”
“I never dreamed you’d apologize.” Ash’s tone was flat and almost baffled. “If you did, I assumed it’d be fake. But this is real. I don’t even doubt it anymore. You seem different than you were in the tower and when we rescued you from Valac.”
Luc flew closer. “I am different. Dex believes I can be better. I believe I can be better. None of us are irredeemable. The Fallen didn’t inexorably destroy anything. I wronged you all, but it’s not unfixable.”
Dante closed the remaining gap between them. “What do you mean?”
Luc explained everything he and Dex had discussed, emotion giving his voice a frantic edge, words tumbling from him like a cleansing rain.
Ash’s eyes blazed. “Magic was here all along? It can’t be that simple.”
“Why not?”
He growled. “Because if it’s all arbitrary, then we did nothing wrong.”
Luc clasped Ash’s shoulder, and Ash didn’t pull away. “You did nothing wrong.”
Ash let out a long breath. He’d held on to a great deal of guilt even though he wasn’t responsible for witches any more than Dante, Onyx, or countless others.
Luc’s heart ached. “You saw something bad in yourself that didn’t exist, Ash. Falling wasn’t wrong, and that unworthiness was never deserved.”
Ash’s eyes widened. “How did you know I…? I never told you how I felt.”
“I know you, brother. I heard it in your voice. Felt it in your presence. I had the same judgments lurking in my mind. We’ve always been similar in this way.”
Ash grunted, the sound distinctly affectionate. “We have. We’re two sides of the same self-critical coin. But we can’t stand for this. They can’t keep holding morality over our heads when there isn’t any point.”
“The point is power,” Dante said heavily. “The universal balance is the justification for the council’s existence. For the regulation of mates and Eternal children.”
“Then it sounds like their time has run out.” Ash clasped Luc’s arm. “Tell us what you’re planning.”
Luc’s phone vibrated as he flew back into the city.
Dex:
Can I see you today?
Luc:
That depends. Would you still want to see me if I told you that you’re not coming no matter what?
Dex’s reply came through immediately.
Dex:
Yes. Obviously. Come over to my place?
Luc’s fire smoldered. His mate was inviting him into the dreaded condo. Allowing Luc to see what hurt him most. Trusting him. And he didn’t even complain about his denial.
What a wonderful mate.
Luc:
I’ll be there soon.
After detouring to his loft to grab a shirt, Luc stopped in the bakery on the ground floor of Dex’s building and bought a selection of treats before they closed.
Dex greeted him at his front door, hands shoved in his pockets and shoulders hunched. “So this is it.”
Luc entered, scanning the family pictures framed on the walls. “It smells like you.”
Dex snorted. “As long as I don’t stink, I’ll take it.”
“You smell better than any flower. Any perfume.”
Dex’s cheeks darkened. “At least I don’t smell aroused.”
“Not yet.” Luc flashed his eyes, fire sparking.
“Before that happens, I’ll give you the tour. That door there is my parents’ room. This is the bathroom and my room. And through here”—Dex ushered Luc out of the hallway—“is the living-kitchen area.”
The condo may have smelled of Dex, but it didn’t feel like him. It looked like a family home, mature, and decorated by someone who liked cool colors and ornamental figurines. Everything was tidy and pleasant, but it wasn’t Dex.
Luc set the box of treats on the counter separating the kitchen from the living area.
“What’s that?”
“They’re for later.” Luc pulled Dex close. “Thank you for inviting me into your home.”
Dex looked at the floor. “I figured I should show you before I move. I put an offer on a place, and they’ve accepted. All that’s left is finishing the paperwork.”
Luc squeezed Dex’s shoulders. “Congratulations. Has your condo sold?”
“We’re going to see if there are any more offers from the last open home, and then pick one. I’ve had a few already, and they all more than cover the cost of the new place.”
“Wonderful. How do you feel?”
“Sad and excited. It’s a weird combo.”
“There’s space for both emotions.” Luc cupped the back of Dex’s neck. “Tell me what you’re most excited about.”
Dex’s expression brightened. “Decorating my new place. I need to start scoping out estate sales for furniture. I don’t want too many mass-produced pieces.”
“I’m sure Onyx can help you find what you’re looking for. Have you seen his house? It’s spectacular.”
“No, I’ve never been to his place, but I’ll ask him, as long as he sticks to my budget. Harper seems to have a knack for thrifting, too. Between the three of us, we’ll figure it out.” Dex hesitated. “Would you want to help?”
Luc’s heart fluttered. “I’d love to, but check with Harper first. I haven’t apologized to him, not directly at least.”
Dex smiled encouragingly, like he believed Luc could gain Harper’s forgiveness. “We’ve got time to work it out.”
“We do.” Luc covered Dex’s lips with his.
He’d be eternally grateful for Dex and his open heart. Luc burned to create a life with him. Build a home together. Keep Dex close and watch their lives blossom.
Dex’s thoughts seemed to be going in a different direction. His cock hardened against Luc.
“What’s this?” Luc cupped Dex’s bulge and squeezed.
Dex moaned, his earthy scent flooding the air. “Nothing. I’ll be good. I promise.”
“You won’t beg to come?”
Dex shivered. “I’ll try not to. No promises about begging. But I won’t come. You told me I wasn’t allowed. An orgasm isn’t why I wanted to see you.”
“I know. It isn’t why I wanted to see you either, but now that I’m here, I want to play with you. See what I can give you other than an orgasm.”
Dex gripped Luc’s shoulders. “Can I be your plaything? Like before.”
“Is that what you want, my dear?” Luc stroked Dex’s cock until he was rolling his hips into the motion.
“Yes, Luc.” His little mate was breathy and so eager. He positively melted under Luc’s touch.
Luc pulled his hand away, eliciting a sweet whimper. “Kneel for me so I can use you.”
Dex’s face flushed, his eyes wide with excitement. He stepped back and got to his knees, clumsily finding his position. “Like this?”
Luc clasped Dex’s shoulder and pulled him taller, so his ass didn’t rest on his heels. “There we go. Look how pretty you are.”
Dex ducked his head like he was trying to hide his smile. That wouldn’t do.
Luc guided his face forward until their eyes met. There. Luc’s fire ignited beneath his skin. “What did I promise last time we had sex?”
Dex’s posture stiffened. “I…I’m not sure.”
“That’s okay. You weren’t exactly in a state to be taking notes. I said you could touch me next time.”
“Oh, right. Can I?” Dex’s hands twitched where they rested on his thighs.
“You may. I’ll always keep my promises. You can touch me as much as you want, but you can’t touch yourself. Not even one stroke.”