He winces, taking a single step into the room. “I guess I deserve that.”
“You deserve a lot worse.” I cross my arms. “You're the Archdemon of Lust. The actual Asmodeus. Father of incubi and succubi. And you let me fall in love with you while believing you were just a fallen angel's son named Az.”
He reaches toward me, then seems to think better of it, his hand dropping back to his side. “I wanted to tell you?—”
“When?” I cut him off. “After I was bound to you for eternity? After our child was born? Or were you planning to wait a few centuries, hoping I wouldn't notice?”
Az closes his eyes briefly. “I was afraid, Simone.”
“Youwere afraid?” My voice rises. “You're an archdemon! What could possibly frighten you?”
“Losing you.” The words are so quiet I have to strain my ears to hear them. “I was afraid of seeing disgust in your eyes. A little like what I'm seeing now.”
“It's not disgust,” I correct him. “It's betrayal. It's rage. It's heartbreak.”
Az steps closer, and I hold up a hand to stop him.
“Don't. I'm still processing the fact that everything between us started with lies.” I roll my eyes. “Of course, the kidnapping came first.”
“Not everything was a lie.” When I scoff, he continues, more urgently. “The way I feel about you, that was never false. And you know it, little fairy.”
I practically growl at him. “How would I know? How could I possibly separate truth from lies with you?”
Az lets out a frustrated sound, then with a flick of his wrist, objects start appearing on the bed beside me. A beautiful new dress, glittering with diamonds. A first-edition copy of my favorite book. A music box playing a lovely, haunting melody. A huge, glittering diamond ring.
“What is this?” I ask, staring at the growing pile of gifts.
“I want to make things right,” he says. “I want to show you how much you mean to me.”
I grab the dress and throw it at him. He doesn't dodge, letting the heavy fabric hit him square in the chest.
“You think presents will fix this?” I shake my head in disbelief. “This is exactly the problem! You think you can buy forgiveness with things instead of honesty.”
The pile vanishes with another gesture from him. “Fuck, Simone. Tell me what to do then. Tell me how to fix this.”
“The truth,” I demand. “All of it. No more secrets, no more omissions. Start at the beginning.”
Az sighs, then nods. He doesn't try to approach me again, instead sinking into the armchair by the window. It's strange seeing him so subdued—the powerful being who held me captive for years now looking like he's the prisoner of my judgment.
“As you now know, my name is Asmodai, though I've had many names through the ages. Humans seem to prefer Asmodeus. I was born in Hell, the child of Lilith and Samael.”
“The first woman and a fallen angel,” I murmur.
“Yes. Neither was particularly interested in raising a child. Ashtaroth took me in when I was young. He taught me how to control my powers, how to rule. He’s a brother to me in all but blood.”
I take a deep breath. “And what exactly do you rule? What does it mean to be the Archdemon of Lust?”
He meets my gaze steadily. “I rule over a vast territory in Hell. I command legions of demons, particularly those associated with lust and pleasure. Incubi, succubi, sex demons of all varieties. They'remy children and subjects. I feed on desire and pleasure. It sustains me.”
My stomach twists at this revelation. “You fed on me. You even said so one time, and I laughed it off.”
“Yes. But I didn't take anything you didn't willingly give, Simone.”
My stomach twists. “And the others? Before me?”
Az hesitates. “There were... many. Across millennia. Some human, most not.”
I swallow hard, trying to keep my voice level. “And our will be a demon.”
