Page 20 of Lucifer's Redemption

“So, what do you want to do, Uriel? Live here in the Underworld? I doubt that Hades would let you do that!”

“Oh, he will!” Ember jumped up, almost waking the baby.

Hades rolled his eyes, rubbing his forehead. “We would love to have her! In fact, we have been looking for a new nanny for Loki, and would you look at that, he takes to her so well!”

“Yeah!” Loki butted in. “I promise not to kill this one!”

Mom fell backward into Dad’s arms, her eyes closing as she groaned. Gasping, I ran to her. She was sleeping peacefully in Dad’s arms.

Dad looked at me, softly brushing my cheek. “She’ll be alright; this is just a lot for her.”

I nodded as Loki pulled me away from her.

“Here, let’s bring her inside, and we can talk privately.” Ember waved over several servants toting a small cot to carry her inside the palace.

I pranced as I walked with Loki back to his brother, Lucifer, my hair swaying side to side. I was worried about my mom, but the excitement I felt had me light on my feet. I felt like I could fly all over the palace.

“Excellent job, Uriel. I’m proud of you.” Athena, who had been standing nearby, quietly joined our little group. “I’ll talk to Ember and see if I can come to tutor you if you wish?”

I nodded frantically while clapping my hands. “Yes! I can’t wait! Will we go on field trips and stuff, like the humans do? Can we go visit the Earth and Bergarian realms?”

Athena laughed as I got closer. “Yes, and so much more. Maybe we can find your mate along the way.” Athena winked.

“A mate?” I whispered. “Like a best, best friend?” I asked excitedly.

“Shit,” Loki cursed.

“Loki!” I squealed.

Chapter 8

Lucifer

Lokilookedshamefullyatthe ground as he was scolded by Uriel. I kept my face disinterested, still not sure how to handle the situation.

Uriel was my mate; her mother had kept her from all the other gods, goddesses, and angels while she grew up. She knew nothing of the Underworld because it was deemed ‘too evil.’ The only reason I met my fated mate was through a simple misunderstanding.

Since the gods started claiming mates, just twenty-five years ago, with my mother’s new gift, babies had been born left and right. The children took either their mother’s or father’s original form at birth, so there was no mixing of whatever species the parents were. My father was a god, therefore necessitating my mother’s werewolf genes to morph to make her immortal. This not only gave her the power to bond souls to help Selene, the Moon Goddess, but made Mother a goddess herself.

Mother organized numerous gatherings so that the new gods, goddesses, angels, and demons could mingle with each other, allowing them to learn more about the opposing species and allow the children to interact with others of their species. I loathed those gatherings growing up. I never played with the other deities. I just stayed in my corner sulking because if I took part, I’d blow up in anger over something petty.

Mother had always wondered about Michael and Hera. Hera was paired with Michael after they had already spent many years together, long before soul-bonding was implemented for the gods. They were ecstatic to find out they were truly fated soulmates. The only problem was that they never conceived a child after Mother paired them together.

That proved wrong today.

Mother was beside herself, stealing glances at Father, trying to understand the situation. We all continued to walk inside the palace while I hovered over Uriel, watching as her hips swayed. The light grass stains on her dress prompted me to shake my head at her childlike actions earlier, but I also found it strangely endearing.

“Come with me, Uriel, let’s go to my room.” Loki grabbed her hand.

She almost stumbled over her own feet until I caught her. “Whoopsies!” she yelped as my arm snaked around her waist to steady her.

Her wings had willed back into her body as I turned her around. Now the front of her body was flush with mine; her hands landed on my bare shoulders to balance herself. Uriel shook her head. Her bright gold eyes blinked up at me through thick lashes.

“Thank you, Luci!” Her bright smile drew my gaze to her lips.

The entire entourage stopped, turned, and looked at both of us. I noticed my mother and father’s eyes swell in my peripheral, their hands gripping each other tightly waiting for me to erupt from Uriel’s use of the nickname I detested.

“Easy, son,”Father sent to me through our mind-link.“Easy.”

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