Page 27 of Lucifer's Redemption

Dinner with my parents was typically pleasant. Mother would talk about her day pairing souls. Meanwhile, Father would listen intently and try to feed her while she talked because she usually got carried away telling mating stories. However, today, the one mating story she wanted to tell, she couldn’t even mention. Her body swayed with the restraint, looking at Father, then to me, and then back to Uriel, who was oblivious of everything.

Father chuckled, moving the meat on his plate. We could both hear Cerberus chomping down the food Uriel was sneaking under the table. She tried sticking a vegetable below, but Cerberus began choking, causing the entire table to jump in surprise. Uriel’s face tinged pink, pretending to stick the dreadful piece of vegetable to her mouth, only to spit it out in a napkin when her mother wasn’t looking. I rested my elbow on the table, rubbing my chin as I watched her.

Her delicate skin had hardly seen the sun; her feet barely touched the blades of grass. How long had it been since a raindrop has fallen on the smoothness of her breast?

My lip curled, watching the delicate thing grab the first slice of chocolate silk pie off the dessert cart. Her lips savored each bite, pulling the spoon slowly away from her mouth.

I grunted to myself.It was a long way off before we could ever be mates.

My heart stopped beating in my chest.I just said it would be a while, meaning it could happen. This wasn’t what I decided just an hour ago. An hour ago, I decided that I would protect her and keep her safe, but now my mind, no, my heart was already changing everything.

“You gonna eat that?” Loki pointed to the coconut cream pie on my plate. I picked it up and placed it on Loki’s plate. He glared at me suspiciously. “What did you do to it?” he hissed.

“Nothing,” I whispered back.

“You just served me your damn piece of pie. You never do anything nice for anyone, ‘cept for Mom and Dad.”

I ignored him and looked back to Uriel, who was so happy about a piece of damn pie. I was feeling an emotion I never thought I could experience—contentment.

Fuck, I’m screwed.

Hera was tight-lipped throughout dinner as she stabbed her fork into each little pea. Finally, she spoke to Uriel, “Sweet pea, your dad and I have some business to attend to.” Uriel’s eyes widened, biting her lips from her smile being too big.

She must know this was a rarity.

“We are going to let you stay here in the Underworld for a while. You will have to remain here, in the palace with Hades, Ember, and their guards. You are expected to watch over Loki, too. It will be a great internship for you, maybe an opportunity to get a handle on some of your innocence powers. You may have noticed them surfacing.”

Yeah, because you smothered her and never gave her a chance to try them.I glared at Hera across the table.

Father tapped into my head, causing me to look away.“Don’t let her know you are her mate, Lucifer. Then we will have a slew of other problems.”My eyes shot to my father. Shaking his head, he stuffed another piece of rare steak in his mouth.

Dinner wrapped up, finally.Thank the Fates, I’d never have to sit through that dinner again. It was only bearable becauseshewas there. It was the best damn dinner if only for the sake of my eyes because I got to memorize each line, each curve, and each tiny freckle that dusted her cheeks. I’d take everything I’ve memorized and think of her while I slept.

Michael bid Uriel farewell. She gave him an enormous hug while his wings engulfed her, causing her to squeal happily. “Remember, if you are ever in trouble, pray to me with this.” Michael plucked one of his white feathers from the top of his wing. “I’ll fly to you wherever you are, quicker than a heartbeat.”

“She will be here,” Hera interjected. “Uriel isnotto leave the grounds, understood?” Uriel nodded, hugging her mother.

“Thank you, Mom. I know this is hard for you, but I’m old enough now. I can take care of myself.” Uriel’s enormous eyes blinked happily. Hera’s hugged her tighter, kissing the top of her head.

“I know, dear.” She sniffed, petting back Uriel’s hair softly. “Protect her, please.” Hera’s eyes landed on me and my father. “I’m begging you.”

Gods don’t beg. Hera, once the second-in-command under Zeus, was now begging for us to protect her only daughter. Not just her daughter, but the fate of humanity.

“With my life,” I promised.

Chapter 11

Uriel

“They’regone,”Iwhisperedto myself. For the first time in my twenty-five years of living, they are gone. I wanted to scream in relief. Mom had been so stressed, constantly hovering over my head for so long. I was barely alone in our home, and when she wasn’t there, I could finally relax. Now I was in someone else’s home, but it still felt alright.

It felt great, actually.

“How about Lucifer shows you to the bedroom you’ll use during your stay? Some of your things have already been sent down from your home through Hermes’ messengers.” I nodded, thanking her profusely for letting me stay.

Ember was so nice, so much more laid back than Mom. I think I am really going to like it here.

“Can I come too?” Loki crossed his arms. “I’ve hung out with her more. She likes me better. She thinks Lucifer looks like Lurch, anyway.”

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