Damien climbed the steps to the throne, Zavariel’s screams and the shouts of the angry demons pounding my skull.
Could any word the angel had said be true?
Had he really cut his wing, disobeyed Heaven’s orders and fallen for me?
No. This was all a delusion. Theatrics Heaven supplied him with like the fire resistance to confuse me, to burden me with the dilemma of false choices, to lure me into another trap where he could easily kill me.
Right?
But…he did save me twice before, he had me all to himself above the cloud where I’d been most vulnerable, yet he chose to protect me, returned me back safely to the guys, and he helped me with the prophecy when he shouldn’t have.
No. Fuck this shit. I’d already made my choice. All I had to do was let Damien make love to me here and wear the crown. I didn’t need any of the confusion Heaven consistently shoved in my face.
Here, I was in control. Here, I had the power. Real power.
I touched the throne, felt its thorny texture, hissed at both the scalding heat and freezing coldness it held side by side.
“It suits you, my Queen. Made especially for you,” Damien said.
I nodded and lay for him to take me, closing my eyes to tune out Zavariel’s protesting shouts, as if not seeing him would make me stop hearing him as well.
“I love you, Rena,” Damien whispered, poising on top of me, and then he started kissing me.
Professor Ferro?
My lashes fluttered. Damien rarely called me that in bed. He wouldn’t do it now. Wait, that wasn’t him speaking in my head.
It’s Inferno. Please don’t let your husband notice I’m speaking to your demon. I’m risking my ass for you here. Don’t be a dick…Professor.
I rolled my eyes.You were a dick to me first. Why shouldn’t I rat you out to your daddy?”
You shouldn’t. It’s stupid of me to even try to reason with you, but I just couldn’t sit on my ass doing nothing while you kill us all and take our girls.
I’ll take care of them, Inferno. I understand them better than anyone else, better than their own mother who wouldn’t even accept what they are. With me, we’ll do great things together.
That’s his words, not yours, not the words of the woman who slapped him in the face and gave him an ultimatum for taking the girls.
I was wrong. Damien was right. I wish I’d listened from the start. Now get out of my head because your daddy’s cock is so hard, and I’d like it pounding my pussy now.
I vomited a little to that. Anyway, I figured you’d say so…the first part. You need to hear this message though.
What message?
Baby,Alec’s voice came,I can’t believe I lost you like this. I can’t believe I won’t see you again. I never got to even kiss you goodbye, Belle, or hug you or smell you…
I grimaced, the pain in his voice waking things that should remain buried for now.You will see me again, baby. It’s just a matter of time. Just a little wait. I’ll come to say goodbye, baby, I promise.
I can’t live without you, Rena. Not two hundred and fifty years ago. Not today. I just don’t know how.
You won’t live without me, Alec. What…Worry washed over me.Inferno, can he hear me?
I loved you with all my heart. I’ll always love you even in Hell. My only consolation is that I’ll be close to you even if you forget about me. I’d rather be tortured in Hell knowing you are close than live here knowing I’d never see you again. I’m sorry, Rena, my lovely Rena, for everything. I’m so sorry.
My heart dipped. “Alec!”
Damien jerked his head up, our kiss interrupted. “Seriously? You’re thinking about that mutt while I’m right here, hard and ready for you? You want to embarrass me in front of everyone, Isabella?”
My eyes widened at him. “He’s in danger. He sounded like he was gonna—”
