Cenric and Isabella shared an unreadable look.
“Looks like you got your way, Lucifer,” Cenric said as if he were five years old. “This doesn’t mean any of the Fallen are coming home. The rule that Eternals must not enter Earth exists regardless, and the council can enforce it if we wish.”
Ash growled, his fist clenched at his side. “If you wish.Hmph. The reason behind the rule was to protect a balance that doesn’t exist, but you’re right, when we left, we accepted that we would never return. It was our choice, and we aren’t asking to come home. The Fallen will remain on Earth as long as all other beings are welcomed.”
“Yes, fine,” Malachi boomed as iflosing patience.
They had to wrap this up. Luc hurried to add, “All beings, including bonded demons’ mates.”
Malachi’s face scrunched, confused. On anyone less terrifying, the expression would have been comical. “What do bonded mates need from the Eternal Realm?”
Dex cleared his throat. “Um… Hi. As a mate who wants to bond, I’d also like to complete my mortal life cycle. My loved ones are waiting in the afterlife, and I need to see them again.”
Malachi growled, and Dex shrank into Luc’s arms. “Lucifer will never be allowed into the Eternal Realm. This is not negotiable.”
“Dex isn’t asking you to allow me anywhere. Permit him to visit his family and stay in the Eternal Realm for a time before returning to me on Earth. Any other mate should be allowed the same.”
Malachi rubbed a bloody hand over his face, making him even more terrifying. “Fine. We can’t deny that now. Not if we admit—agree—that the sacred balance isn’t as cut and dry as we believed. Humans should be allowed to complete their life cycle, even if it is their last. There will be two realms once more. But no other travel between realms is permitted, and falling to Earth is still forbidden. Humans deserve their mortal world. That, at least, we can protect.”
Whether it was a genuine desire to protect Earth or a way to hold on to the last shred of control over Eternal beings, Luc couldn’t say. Maybe one day, falling wouldn’t be a crime. The Eternal Realm was on the brink of change, and Luc had no idea what Eternals would push for.
He’d be on Earth with his mate, and that was more than fine with him. “How do we know you won’t change your mind? How will Dex get into the Eternal Realm?”
Malachi stepped to the side and waved his hand before him, clearing the mist from the archway to reveal a deep valleyflanked by lush mountains and roaring waterfalls. “He’s welcome to enter now.”
Dex made a sound like a hurt animal, and his fingers dug into Luc’s side.
Luc cupped his face. “It’s all right. You can go. I’ll be waiting right here when you come back.”
“I don’t want to go now.” A tear slid down Dex’s cheek as his gaze wandered to the eternal valley before them. “I want to live my life and come back when it would have ended if I weren’t living forever. It’s too soon.”
Luc kissed his forehead, his fire dormant and heart bursting with love. “Then that’s when you’ll come. When it feels right.”
Malachi called the mist back with another wave of his hand. “When he is ready, he will be admitted once, same as any other like him who bonds with a demon. Witch, human, or vampire.”
Hollis marched toward Malachi, fierce for someone who was half of Malachi’s massive size and had already had his throat crushed by the brute. “Make an unbreakable oath. They shouldn’t have to risk you changing your mind.”
“You dare give me orders?” Malachi ripped the necklace marking Hollis as a guard from around his neck. “You are dismissed from the gateway’s service.”
Hollis lifted his chin. “I was quitting anyway.”
“Can you just make the oath, Malachi?” Onyx snapped as only he could at a time like this. “I want to get the fuck out of here. My longing for the Eternal Realm has been cured. I have a mate waiting, and all the family I need on Earth.”
He glared at his and Luc’s parents, who stood like the unfeeling statues Luc had always known them to be.
Luc would gladly never see their mother or father again.
Did they regret any of their actions? Luc hoped Onyx wasn’t hurting. Cenric and Isabella weren’t worth it.
Malachi stooped and selected a stray pebble to bind hisoath, and promised that all demons’ mates would be allowed one entry into the Eternal Realm.
He handed the glowing pebble to Dex. “No need to bring this with you. The magic is binding either way, but take this as a token. As proof.”
With that, Malachi disappeared into the mist, Isabella and Cenric following close behind.
When she was almost completely out of sight, Isabella paused. “I’m sorry this didn’t work out better.” She disappeared.
“What the fuck was that?” Onyx gestured into the mist. “That wasn’t an apology for shit. Damnation, part of me forgot how awful they were. Sorry, Luc. You did a great job of showing your remorse. Especially given they’re who raised us.”
