But over the march of time, I'd twisted my situation to my own ends. Since our mysterious creation, She'd struggled to bring calm and balance to the universe, and though I'd been bound to keep the peace, I always found ways to upset the balance just enough to piss her off.
And boy, doesn't it feelgood.
I stared down into Anna's eyes. They were the deepest brown, like dark chocolate, framed by long, dark lashes.
She reached out her hand and touched my face. "Let me see what you truly look like, Lucian. I know this is just a facade you hide behind when you're in my world. Don't hide from me."
For a moment, I stood in shock. This woman, though blind, had always seen so much more without her eyes.
"Perhaps I am afraid you'll run screaming."
"I won't." Her stare roved over my human face, as if she were trying to see under the surface.
"Seriously, Love. Most beings, including demons, cannot withstand my sight for very long. I do not want to make you uncomfortable."
"Please?" That one word, spoken with such pleading and gentleness, undid me.
"I have never been able to resist you." I sighed, then let my artificial countenance drop.
Her eyes widened and her mouth formed a smallOof surprise.
I knew the image before her: a tall angel with unfurling wings, a purple-black crown of flames wreathing his head with eyes so dark even light could not escape.
Any moment she'll faint from shock and horror.
I straightened myself, preparing to catch her tiny body.
"My God, you're beautiful, even more handsome than I'd imagined." Her gaze slid from my face to her outstretched arm.
"Y-you're not repulsed by my crown, my eyes?" Even I could hear the incredulity in my voice.How is she able to withstand my presence, my perfection?
"Why would I be? I love everything about you—the bad and the good. Those things are what make you the person you are. I'd change nothing."
Blood pounded in my heart.This girl, this beautiful girl. What I wouldn't do for her.
A feeling of lightness washed over me, the sensation so overpowering I inhaled sharply.
"Lucian, am I dreaming? Is this real?" She turned her palm upward and stared at the skin. "So much color, so much more than I remembered."
"From now on, your world will only be filled with color and light and—"
The front door burst open.
I immediately cloaked myself with shadow and gathered my power, readying for battle to protect my dear, precious, beloved Anna.
Two men filled the doorway, laughing and giving each other high fives. They didn't seem dangerous, and when I peered into their hearts, I sensed no malice, yet something about themdidseem familiar.
"You're back early," Anna said, her voice light and happy.
I frowned. Sheknowsthese men? An immediate spark of jealousy lit deep inside my bones.Stop it. There's no way she—
The first guy, probably related to the enormous bears of this world, stepped through the door rushed toward her. "Anna! We missed you."
Laughing, she held out her arms. "You will never believe what just happened."
I'm quite sure my jaw fell to the floor.What in the fucking fuck is going on here?
"Aren't you a sight for my sore eyes." In one smooth move, he slid his arms around her waist and placed a giant kiss on her lips.
