King of Shadows
My ears ring with the force of my screams.
I heave my body over top of Luke’s, stopping anyone from getting near him.
“Help,” I yell, to no one in particular. “Help.” My voice is hoarse and my heart thumps in my chest.
Luke doesn’t move underneath me, and terror threatens to pull me under.
“Help,” I say, one more time.
Someone falls to their knees beside me. I peer over to see a grief-stricken Lilith.
“Help him,” I beg. “I’ll give you whatever you want. Just help him.”
I would give my own life to save Luke.
A tear falls from the wicked woman’s eyes, and her head shakes. “I can’t,” she cries. “It’s beyond any powers I possess.”
My head swivels on my shoulder, looking from one archangel to the next. Each of them lowers their gaze to the floor.
“Michael,” I say, walking on my knees until I’m in front of him. “Please do something. I know you can. If anyone can, it’s you. Please help him.” My pleading is no use.
“Victoria, if I could, I would, but I don’t possess that power. The black witch’s magic is beyond my comprehension. By the time I could uncover what she’s done, it would be too late.”
“But he … he can’t die. He can’t!”
“I’m sorry, child,” Michael says, running a hand soothingly down my hair.
I jerk out of his grasp. “Don’t touch me,” I bark. “Don’t you dare touch me. This is all your fault,” I yell, growing more erratic.
It’s not his fault. I’m misdirecting my anger.
Grief will do that to a person. We need someone to blame. Someone to hold accountable, even when there’s no reason.
But there’s plenty of blame to go around. It’s just not Michael who deserves it placed on his shoulders.
“It’s my fault.”
The words fall brokenly from my lips for the entire room to hear.
“He stayed on Earth because of me. This war happened because of me.” The words continue to spill out, pulling me further into despair.
On my knees, I bow my head, close my eyes, and fold my hands.
Dear Heavenly Father, please hear me. It is I who deserve punishment. It was me who turned my back on Heaven. It was me who tempted the Devil and held him captive.
I’m the reason he was away. I repent, and I’m willing to take his place. Save him. End my existence if you must take a life.
A deluge of tears falls down my cheeks and sobs rack through me. My heart breaks with every moment that goes by. He’s dying, if not already dead, and I can’t do anything to stop it.
I cry over his lifeless body for several minutes, and nobody tries to pull me away. For that, I’m grateful. I would fight anyone who tried.
“My child, stand.” God’s booming voice has my head snapping up.
“God,” I say, scrambling to my feet. “Please. Help. I—”
He cuts off my words with a raise of his hand. “Victoria, this was all for a reason. Greater powers are at work. Lucifer is needed here in Hell. I cannot allow him to perish. However, an example needed to be made, because war is coming, and he has deserted his post far too many times.
“Another war?” I ask.
“A mighty war. Far greater than any before.”
“When?” Leeanna asks, and I nod several times, seconding her question.
“Not today.”
I have to control my urge to groan. There are never answers when God’s involved. It’s all riddles and half replies.
He shakes his head. “There are reasons I cannot say, Victoria. Reasons you would not understand. None of you would.”
“Try me,” I say, a little too testily, considering God is here and offering his aid to Luke.
Thankfully, he chuckles. “Victoria, I do miss your wit. Heaven has been rather dull in your absence.”
I smirk at the compliment.
“You must all prepare for the battle between good and evil. It is upon us.”
I have so many questions, but I know I’ll never get the answers I seek, and in truth, all I need is Luke back to health. All the other accusations on the tip of my tongue die as I remember the purpose for my calling out to him.
“And so it shall be,” he says, smiling down at me. “Now come.”
He pulls me back to my knees next to him. “Place your hands over Lucifer and pray.”
I do as instructed, putting my entire will into praying for Luke’s recovery.
With my eyes still closed, I only hear his sharp intake of breath, followed by a coughing fit. My eyes fly open, and Luke’s shine up at me.
“Victoria,” he grumbles.
I crash my body to his, peppering kisses all over his face.
“You’re alive. God, he’s—”
My words die in the air as I realize he’s no longer present, and we’re no longer in the throne room.
We’re alone in Lucifer’s room.
He’s sprawled on his bed and I’m hovering over him.
“Victoria. W-what are you doing here?”
“I’ve been here. Camille and the reapers came to help. Don’t you remember the fight?”
He shakes his head, wincing at the movement.
“Lie still,” I command. “You were badly hurt.”
“I was?”
He sits up, despite my request to remain still. He groans, rubbing his chest where the black magic entered.
I lift his shirt, and a deep purple bruise is all that’s to be seen from the magic.
“A black witch,” I explain.
“Yvette.” He nods, blinking several times as though to clear his sight. “It’s coming back to me.”
“Please lie down,” I beg, motioning for him to at least scoot back so that he can rest against his pillows.
He purses his mouth but obliges me.
When he’s settled, he stares at me for several long minutes, not saying anything. I’m about to break the tense silence, but he beats me to it.
“You came back.”
“I told you I would, Luke.”
His eyes close for a moment, and a breath rushes from his chest. He’s in pain.
“No love, I’m gutted.”
“Gutted?”
His answering sigh puts me on edge. Whatever is going through his mind right now, I’m sure to not like it, if his current countenance is any indication.
“I’ve done so much damage. I’ve hurt you too many times—”
I cut him off, not wanting to hear another word of his self-deprecation.
“I love you. That’s all that matters. I always have,” I say, placing my hand on top of his. “I don’t care what you did in the past. How badly you hurt me. I just want you. That hasn’t changed.”
“But our circumstances haven’t, Victoria. You’re still needed in the reaper kingdom and I’m still here. That can’t change. The balance of the universe depends on both of us upholding our positions.”
“I know that I have a duty to uphold, but why can’t I also rule here? There’s no reason I can’t.”
His face turns hard. “I won’t allow you to stay here. You’re better than that, Victoria. You and I both know it. You don’t belong in Hell.”
“And neither do you, Luke.” My voice rises as anger takes hold. I won’t allow him to continue to push me away for my own benefit. He doesn’t get to decide what’s best for me. Nobody does.
“You’re here out of obligation, not because you’re a bad man. You keep the peace and that’s amazing, but that’s not all that you are.”
“Look at how quickly shit spun out of control in my absence,” he bites out, growing angry himself. “I’m needed here.”
“I need you,” I cry.
His head shakes and lowers. “I’m no good for you. I’m the epitome of evil.”
I place my hand under his chin and tip his head so that we’re staring into each other’s eyes.
“You’re not evil, Luke. Even in the shadows, you bring light.
God placed you here because you can turn a black soul to good.
You shine like a beacon, drawing everyone to you.
The truly wicked are only held at bay because your divine virtuousness wills it so.
Please don’t turn me away. Please don’t cast me into darkness. ”
I’m nearly crazed, begging for him to love me back.
“It isn’t for a lack of love, Victoria. My heart beats only for you.”
“Then let me stay.”
“Hell is the last place I’d want the woman I love to remain. It’s not safe for you.”
“I’d stay anywhere as long as you’re there with me.” I grab his hand, placing it over my beating heart. “You and me. Always. Got that?”
His eyes mist and I just about buckle at the sight. I lean forward and swipe the moisture away.
“I love you,” I whisper. “Please let me stay by your side. Choose me. Choose us.”
His breath catches and his throat bobs. “Only you, Victoria. It was only ever you.”
His lips crash to mine as he pulls me down onto him. All the love he has to offer is poured into this kiss. His hands roam as mine tangle in his unruly hair, tugging lightly. He groans and I pull away, nervous I’m hurting him.
“I … did I hurt you?”
“Quite the opposite. I’m hard as stone, Victoria. I can barely contain myself.”
I giggle like a damn teen, but it can’t be helped. Lucifer’s pained expression, mixed with his adjustment of his dick, make me want things that I shouldn’t, considering God was just in my presence.
“Your mother and father are near,” he says, and I roll my eyes.
“I’m pretty sure neither of them has a right to any say in my life. My father owes me for all of his lies.”
Luke lifts a brow. “You sound a little bitter, love. Anything I can do to help stoke that flame? I kinda like it when you’re angry. It’s hot as hell.”
I laugh. “I don’t know what you’re thinking, since you almost died, but if you don’t take me now, it’ll be me who perishes.”
“We wouldn’t want that,” he grins. “Whatever shall we do?”
“Hmmm,” I tap my finger to my chin. “We’re in your room. Let’s see just how hot things can get.”
I don’t waste time throwing myself at him, but he’s quicker than me, grabbing my hips and placing me underneath him.
His mouth comes down on my neck, kissing a trail downward until he’s met with leather.
“Damn clothes. While I quite enjoy your ass in this getup, it has to go.”
With a flick of his wrist, my clothes are gone. I’m entirely naked, and based on the gleam in his eyes, he approves wholeheartedly.
He cups my face and tilts it upward, placing his mouth on mine. I wrap my legs around his hips, drawing him closer to me. Demanding more from him.
He kisses me hungrily while pushing his erection into my wet center. I groan at the contact, needing so much more.
He runs his hand over my flesh, heating everywhere he touches along the path. Pulling away from my mouth, he grins devilishly down at me.
“What are you …”
“Quiet, love. I’ve wanted to taste you for too long.”
He slides down until his head is between my legs. When his tongue runs a line up my folds, I cry out, body shuddering as intense pleasure washes through me. My breathing is quick and shallow with every swipe of his tongue.
I don’t think it can feel any better until he inserts one expert finger, working me into a frenzy. My hands grasp at the sheets, nails digging in as I squirm under him.
It’s too much.
It’s not enough.
“Oh god!” I cry out.
Luke pulls away, smirking up at me. “Not God, love. Only the devil could make you come with his tongue and a single finger.”
My head falls back as my eyes roll into my head. “Don’t talk,” I groan, needing his mouth back on me.
He chuckles before diving back in. I thrust my hips up, rubbing my clit into his mouth unabashedly. The move only fuels him. His tongue grows more aggressive as he enters a second finger into the mix, drawing my orgasm to the front.
My core clenches and I cry out, coming onto his tongue as he laps up every last drop.
“Need you. Inside of me.” My words come out staccato and desperate.
In one swift motion, he centers himself at my entrance and drives in deep. My nails dig into his arms, pulling him closer, needing him deeper.
Pleasure pulsates through me with every thrust of his hips.
I won’t last long at this punishing rate, and neither will he.
His face contorts as his orgasm builds. Somehow, his cock hardens inside of me, pushing at my walls to accommodate its size.
I mumble incoherently, whimpering with every single drive inside of me.
My walls contract around him as we both fall over the edge into complete ecstasy.
“I don’t think I’ll ever tire of that,” Luke says into the shell of my ear.
My back is against his bare chest as we both recover from the effects of our mutually exhausting orgasms.
“I hope you never do. That would make for one very long existence.”
He chuckles. “I can always trade you in for a younger version.”
I know he’s kidding. It’s in the teasing quality of his voice. The way his arms tighten around me.
It doesn’t stop me from feigning indignation. I twist around and slap his chest.
“You’re a pig.”
“I’m your pig, love. Always. Only yours.”
“Mmmm.”
I settle back into him, enjoying the warmth emanating from him.
He’s my serenity. My home.
“Do you think God will allow it?” Luke asks, sounding cynical.
“He’s allowed this.” I shrug, not really knowing how things will play out, but unwilling to go down without a fight. “Whatever happens, we face it together.”
He tightens his hold on me once more, leaning down and placing a kiss on my neck. “I love you.”
I turn, pulling him into me and searing him with a kiss that I hope conveys just how much he means to me.
That kiss ignites a flame that starts our lovemaking all over again.
Neither of us come up for air anytime soon. We both know that this won’t be easy. Living in Hell isn’t something I’d do for anyone but him.
We’ll experience trials and tribulations. Hardships and wars will be fought to keep what we have.
I’m comforted knowing that I won’t walk this road alone.
Luke will be by my side.
He pulls away for a moment, just to offer his two cents.
“Always, love.”