Page 41 of Can't Bite This Feeling
“You’re too late,” I snarl.
“Darling, I’mneverlate. I arrive precisely when the desperation peaks.”
“Proud of your pathetic little games, are you?” I ask bitterly. “Come to gloat?”
“A little,” he admits without remorse. “Your grief summoned me. Your angst was too delicious to resist.” He circles Rapha’s corpse with idle interest. “He really went for the grand gesture, didn’t he? Tragic. Did he whisper your name with his dying breath? Did he curse me? Did he weep?”
“He loved,” I snap. “Something you’ll never understand.”
Lucifer gasps, pressing a hand to his ridiculous ruffled chest. “You wound me, Drusilla.” He tilts his head, smiling with mock sympathy. “Have you reconsidered my offer? It’s not too late.”
“The soul tether?” I glare at him. “I told you no.”
“Yes, yes.‘If he fights for me, it has to be his choice.’” He mimics my voice. “Very romantic.” He steps closer, voice dropping. “But he made his choice, didn’t he, Drusilla? He died for you. Gave what little was left of his tattered soul. That should count for something.”
My throat tightens. I can’t breathe.
He lifts a hand, palm glowing faintly with red magic. “He’ll live. He’ll breathe. He’ll love you.” He pauses. “But he’ll never again bejusthimself. A piece of him will always echo you. Your bond will be unbreakable. Binding. And yes,” he says as if anticipating my question, “he’ll be aware of it. That’s part of the fun. So, what is your decision? You don’t have much time left. He’s growing colder by the minute.”
I stare at him, something cold uncoiling in my chest. “You’re asking me to do this without his consent.”
Lucifer shrugs. “I’m offering you permanence. Most people would jump at the chance to resurrect their one true love. Rapha did. Don’t you think you should return the favor?”
I glower at him. “You don’t understand love.”
“No,” he says, eyes suddenly flat and ancient. “But I understand bargains.”
Silence cloaks us like a curtain.
I look down at Rapha. At the locket still clutched in his hand. At the man who sacrificed himself so I could live. Who trustedmeto make the right call. Even now.
“No,” I say quietly.
Lucifer blinks, almost startled. “What was that?”
“I said no.” I lift my chin. “Not that way. Never that way. The deals, the bargains, the pacts, whatever you want to call them, end here.” I brush my fingers over Rapha’s cheek. His skin is so pale. “He gave up everything for me. I’m not turning that into a leash.”
“As you wish.” His sigh is long and theatrical. “Honestly, you principled types always make me feel a little nauseous, like I’ve swallowed holy water by accident.”
Lucifer turns to walk away, then pauses and glances back with theatrical casualness. “Still, you really should be proud.”
I frown. “Of what?”
“He did it himself, Drusilla. As he died. Without me. No bargains, no sigils, no blood price. Just raw, inconvenient love.”
I shake my head. “I don’t understand.”
Lucifer arches a brow. “Look at your beloved.”
My gaze flies to Rapha, and my mouth drops open. His horns have vanished. The talons tipping his fingers... gone.
“He came for me,” I whisper. “He chose love over addiction. He chose me. That’s what freed him.”
“Indeed.” Lucifer spins on his heel, hands behind his back like a ringmaster preparing his final flourish. “Rapha’s devoted sacrifice unraveled the pact that bound him to me, and the bloodlight magic revived your vampiric sides.” He sighs heavily. “Shame. I swear it’s harder to keep a greed demon than a Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts.”
My heart kicks against my ribs. “Are you saying he’s free? That he’s just Rapha now?”
Lucifer shrugs. “If there’s ever been such a thing. But yes. Mortal-ish. Vampire-ish. All those nice soft hyphens. Bound to you by love, not a contract. Free will fully intact. Boring as hell.”
