So soon.
“Er.”
“You hesitate.”
She looked to Ambriel and took strength in the fact that an angel wasn’t going to judge her, no matter what she said. “The demon isn’t a good person, but heisn’t a bad person either. If I leave him alone, I’m worried he will lose whatever shred of humanity he’s recovered since I’ve arrived, and I’ll feel guilty about it.”
“Elizabeth, you cannot put a demon’s life above yours.”
“I would never do that.” Her words were serious; she had never considered sacrificing her own happiness. She only toyed with the idea of staying a few weeks after she had to, just to linger for a while.
Ambriel spoke gently. “I would not tell you to do anything you do not want to, but I must caution you that when your mortal life has ended, and you pass into the void, there will come a judgement day. And on that day, if you have spent any time with a demon—well—every day that passes with him doesn’t help your odds, is all I’m going to say.”
Horrified, she looked away.
According to legend, the Underworld was made up of Seven Peaceful Realms and Seven Hells. The Peaceful Realm’s first circle was reserved for the bravest and most selfless souls, heroes among men, with few ever making it there. The sixth and seventh circles of the Peaceful Realms, and the seventh circle of Hell were where most of the population would end up, as most humanity was mostly good, but flawed.
The first circle of the Seven Hells was described as fiery pits of doom and was supposedly where the worst villains of the world would end up—murderers, traitors, and those whose souls were black, tarnished beyond redemption. At least, that’s what she was told when she was a child.
She had not considered that having a demon as a lover would impact her ability to get into the Peaceful Realms. Being young and healthy most of her life, judgement day was an abstract thought, not anything to worry about in the near future. She had always assumed that if she were a good person, she would be granted entry without question.
A chill worked its way up her spine at the thought that she could live for eternity in the Seven Hells because of her time with Caspian.
“Thank you, Ambriel. You have always been so kind to me and have my best interests at heart. May I think about what you’ve said?”
“Of course, but I must remind you: The fate of the world may rest on you finding the lost amulet and learning how to destroy the portals, Elizabeth. There is nothing that could be more important.”
***
That evening, she cuddled up to Caspian, and he stroked her hair after a night of gentle lovemaking. He had held her during it with tenderness that soothed her heart. Even afterwards, he held her to his chest like she was something precious.
She nestled further into his embrace and splayed her fingers across his chest.
Was she really damning her soul by being here like this?
Would she one day reach the gates of the Peaceful Realms, only to be turned away and condemned to rot in the Seven Hells for her decision to take a demon as a lover?
Caspian had provided a welcome reprieve from her life and responsibilities. But the consequences of her choices had never felt so real—being forbidden to join her ancestors in the afterlife and doomed to spend eternity in suffering seemed like a heavy price to pay.
Surely, when the goods and evils of her life were weighed, they would understand what she had done and why she had done it. But then again, Ambriel had said she needed to leave at the first opportunity, and he seemed to notice shehadbeen looking for reasons to linger.
She chewed her lip, and her fingers twitched from where they rested over Caspian’s chest hair.
The contract between them was set to end soon, yet she had been reluctant to pack. A small part of her had hoped to stay a while. Not forever—just for a little while longer.
She listened to the steady thump of Caspian’s heart and traced her fingers in lazy circles across his skin.
He wasn’t so bad, anyway. He was broody and could be cold … but he had a good side. She often thought that she had softened him, just a little.
As if sensing her warm thoughts of him, Caspian’s lips touched her forehead, lingering on contact.
She let her eyes drift shut and melted into him, her bones turning liquid. She drew a knee over his leg and had never felt more comfortable in her life. This was where she belonged, nestled against his chest. She inhaled deeply, letting his scent of woodsmoke and leather envelop her.
The thought of leaving, and never feeling his arms around her again, made her stomach lurch with something close to panic. As if wanting to hold onto him for as long as possible, she snuggled in closer.
If she were to leave after the last couple of weeks and the contract were up, she wanted to savour every moment with him.
It was then that she realized that she didn’twantto go.
