Lucifer shook his head. “I wish she’d wake up so I could ask,” he said so softly, I knew he wasn’t talking to me.
This was the most sincere emotion I’d ever seen from him, and the ache in his voice made me uncomfortable. “I spoke with her. She seems good.” As far as I could tell.
“How?” Cato asked, assessing me with a sharp gaze.
I had forgotten he was still here.
Lucifer scrutinized me just as hard, the same question on his face.
“Do you know what a dream-walker is?” If anyone knew, it’d be them.
Cato stepped forward, his eyes narrowing. “Where did you hear that term?” he asked slowly.
“From Michael.”
Lucifer’s irises flashed. “I wouldn’t trust a thing he said.”
“I’d agree, but he’s right, isn’t he? That’s what it’s called when I enter people’s dreams or memories?” I looked at Cato, who seemed to understand what I meant.
“Yes. And you’re better off never using those powers again,” he snapped, then turned and left, his robes swooshing as he stormed away.
I sat back, startled. That was the most emotion I’d ever seen from him. Even Lucifer looked taken aback, staring after his Throne.
But Cato knew about dream-walking. I had half the mind to run after him. I considered it, then dropped the thought. I knew if he didn’t want to talk, he wouldn’t.
“This is how you contacted your mother?” Lucifer asked, pulling my attention from Cato’s retreat.
I nodded.
“Can you do it at any time?”
“No. And I’m having a hard time directing it. Sometimes I dream-walk to the person I want, and other nights I don’t.”
“Interesting,” Lucifer mused. “I’ll speak with Cato later and see what I can find out.”
“Thanks,” I said, grateful for his help, even if he was only curious because I could talk to his lost love.
He gestured for me to stand. “Come. Let’s practice.”
Lucifer led me to another part of the castle, strolling by my side as I limped. I would’ve used Rune to help, but he didn’t want her to come along, commanding her to find the general. We ended up in a sort of greenhouse.
I walked through the frosted glass doors, feeling a chill instead of the balmy heat I expected. Flowers of every color and shape were encased in transparent ice. Sunlight shone through the greenhouse, glinting off the ice and casting prisms of color across the stone path.
“This used to be your mother’s favorite place to come when she was here, but without the ice,” Lucifer said softly, grazing a finger over the icy petal of a yellow rose. “When she left, I froze everything. I thought if I always had this piece of her, there’d be hope she’d come back to me.” He sighed, leading me to a bench.
The moment I sat down, warmth seeped into my bottom. My eyes widened, and I glanced at Lucifer, who was smiling. It was small and weighted, but a smile nonetheless. And more of my hardened heart melted. I liked my father’s smile. He seemed more… open and approachable.
“The bench is runed. I come here often. And despite my cold lands, I do enjoy warmth.”
I nodded, gazing at a place touched by both my parents.
“You can come here whenever you like. But from now on, I’d like our training to be here.”
I gave him a slight nod, and he patted my hand. But the movement was jerky and hesitant, like he wasn’t sure what he was doing.
I laughed. “You don’t have to try so hard. I don’t have many expectations for a father. So just do what feels normal. Be you,” I said, sounding cliché and weird. We both weren’t good at this, I guess.
“Alright.” He straightened and handed me a pink rose. “Freeze it,” he said, his demanding voice back in place.
