“You have me,” he replied simply and sincerely. “I will always be your biggest champion, my love.”
“But he’s taken you away from me, too.”
“For now,” he replied silently. “But there is always the possibility he might change his mind, however remote. Please, do not do this. Do not destroy the only chance we might have for a future.”
“I love you so much, Luc.” She hugged him fiercely. “So fucking much.”
Luc drew back and grinned, reminding her of their first meeting. That day seemed an eternity ago. She trailed her fingers over his features, doing her damnedest to commit his face to memory. If she could, she’d defy the Creator to be with him.
“Which is why you are dangerous to him, pet.”
“Don’t ever forget you love only me. Keep the knowledge here,” he said aloud, as he pressed his palm to her heart, and she felt a surge of magic.
“I promise.”
He pressed his mouth to hers in a kiss so tender, her lungs seized.
And then he was gone.
Nadia collapsed on the stone floor, her heart shattered into millions of pieces, never to be whole again. The desire to destroy creation was all-consuming in her grief.
Strong arms encircled her, and she fought against their vice-like hold.
She only wanted Luc.
“Shhh, child. All will be well,” the Creator assured her. His fingertips brushed her temple.“Sleep.”
Oblivion took her.
* * *
The Creator stared down at her emotion-ravaged features, noting how closely she resembled Gabriel. Not only did she possess his coloring, but she’d inherited his stubbornness as well. His sense of fair play.
Lucifer was right to beg forgiveness on his brother’s behalf. Gabriel would be the perfect trainer, able to teach her how to survive amongst her peers while navigating the world as a celestial being. The truth, as only he knew it, was that his intention had always been to spare his misguided son.
But the foundation for the building blocks of the future wasn’t level quite yet.
“Is she not as perfect as I stated?” his mate, the one known to his children as Mother, asked.
He didn’t need to glance up, as he studied the hybrid in his arms.
“Indeed.”
“But then, you already knew she was, didn’t you?” she said softly.
“Perhaps.”
“She’s over eighty in human years, yet held the belief she was younger for many of those. There is only one reason, my love.”
Mother had guessed his involvement correctly. With a small shrug, he met her all-knowing eyes.
“She wasn’t ready as Anida, nor is she in this incarnation,” he said simply. “It’s true, her humanity has improved her temperament and taught her humility in this lifetime. But she needs more time to learn. It won’t be long now.”
“How many times can you reset her mind without damage?” Her query produced a frown.
He smiled. “This is the last. When she and Lucifer meet again, she will be firmly in our camp. No longer the spoiled child.”
“They will protest the new rule,” she warned, gesturing to the others.
