Page 110 of To Crave Deeply
We were back in the sacrifice room where Violette had put Alec’s heart back, but it looked like nothing had happened. The stained glass windows were back in place and everywhere looked as perfect as it had been before she’d done the spell. The team was all gathered; even Torsten had left his shadow plane to be here for this. He didn’t look happy about it; in fact, none of the team did. I guess they all had the same opinion as Lucifer, that Selene was up to something and they didn’t trust her one little bit. Who was I to judge? I only trusted that she’d fix this because she wanted something from me.
There was a gust of wind, and a large pair of black wings materialised in the centre of the room. Lucifer emerged on the dais, looking absolutely perfect and magnificent with his wings spread wide behind him. I couldn’t believe he was mine. He was so breathtaking, and my heart jumped in my throat as I saw him up there.
“Lucifer!” I called as I rushed over to him and threw my arms about his neck.
“Lori,” he replied as his wings encased us for a moment. “I missed you.”
He pressed a soft kiss to my lips, but I could taste his fear.
“We will be fine,” I said reassuringly.
“I wish I shared your faith,” he replied sadly.
“Come on. Let’s get this over with, and then we can talk about the wedding.”
He smiled at that before placing another kiss on my lips. He then snapped his wings shut and made them disappear from view.
Violette approached the dais and bowed. I felt my eyebrows jump into my hairline. I didn’t think that she’d bow to anyone, but I supposed Lucifer was the King of all Dark Creatures, which trumped her mere Witch Queen title.
“Thank you for your hospitality,” Lucifer stated in his kingly tone that set my insides squirming. He sounded so authoritative when he used that voice.
“You are most welcome, your Majesty. My home is your home while you remain here,” Violette said as she stood back up. Lucifer’s eyes scanned the room but paused when he saw Iveri. He grimaced and made a move towards her, but I grabbed his arm. He snarled as he turned his gaze back towards me and a flash of anger burst in his dark eyes.
“Now isn’t the time, Lucifer. We don’t have much, and I really don’t want to go and consume another soul,” I whispered. “Besides, Iveri has no power here. She can’t do you any harm.”
Lucifer took a deep breath and sighed. “You’re right. It just still… angers me. What they did, and in turn, what that made me do.”
“I know,” I muttered as I rubbed my hand up and down his arm. “One day, I hope you will tell me about it all.”
“I will, if we survive all this,” he said grimly.
“I’m sure it will all be fine. Besides, if we die, won’t we just end up in Hell together anyway?”
He snorted at that but said no more. I was worried what Selene was up to and I hoped that she was going to fix this. Then there would be one less thing on my list of things that could kill me.
I still had to deal with the whole Mordecai situation. That one hadn’t really sunk in yet, but as long as I didn’t die, I wouldn’t actually turn into a vampire. But with my luck, I wasn’t sure I was going to stay alive at all. I didn’t want to have to spend my days avoiding sharp objects and murderous creatures. I didn’t want to live half a life when I knew there was so much in it that I could enjoy.
I wanted to spend my days waking up with Lucifer or sparring with Cassian. I wanted to wind Jasper up and laugh with Alec, linger in the shadows with Torsten and maybe even fix things with Fenris. There was so much joy, so much life to explore that I really didn’t want to lose that.
Would it all change if Mordecai got his wish? Would I change?
I really hoped I didn’t have to find out.
“Hello, Lucifer,” Selene chirped as she approached the dais.
“Selene,” he growled back. Oh, boy. This was going to be fun.
“Are you sure you can fix this?” I asked.
Her penetrating blue eyes met mine and I shivered. Her smile widened and I couldn’t help thinking she was completely mad.
“Of course I can,” she replied sweetly. “And what’s more, Iwantto fix this for you.”
I snorted. “So you can have me owe you a favour. I know.”
She nodded. “Exactly. I’ve got a feeling that the world has great plans for you.”
My heart lurched. She smiled like she knew something. A secret. And I was about to ask but she clapped her hands and turned on her heel.
