Page 11 of Falling for the Devil

Oh, and she found she wanted that diamond. Perfect, sparkling, and a gift from Lucifer—even if it was made of her bastard brother.

“My apologies, Artemis. I... I misread the situation.”

Athena stepped forward, pulling Diana along. “And be certain that you do not utter such misguided rumors against your own family for only the truth shall prevail, and the truth will find you lacking.”

Achelous inclined his head in agreement, then his feet quickly scuttled backward and away from them.

“And it’s Diana! Not Artemis!” she shouted after him.

“Nice show of force, Luci!” Athena dropped Diana’s hand and strolled over to clap the archangel on the back. “You are a prime example of your species. Too bad some of the other gods have no desire to learn how to portray themselves as proper role models when they are too busy degrading themselves in every fashion.”

Fire erupted from Diana’s belly watching her sister caress Lucifer’s armor and seeing his lips curl up to smile down at her.

What in Hades was Athena going on about? Was she flirting with the angel? And why should that bother her so much? Perhaps they were better suited, anyway. Obviously, she was lacking in whatever it was that would have made her desirous in his eyes. Maybe he preferred wisdom and wit over mere feminine wiles. Regardless, it stung the way her sister had stepped in and sidled up to the angel, flattering him now with praise. All he had done was intimidate a god, and not even one of the tougher ones.

Still, his actions had spared her reputation.

It had only been a kiss. Thank the Fates!

Then why did her stomach plummet to her knees watching Athena and Lucifer laugh together? They both turned to her with radiant smiles that lit up the forest. Tears welled up in Diana's eyes, blurring her vision, but she forcibly willed them to retreat.

“Come, sister.” Athena held out her hand to Diana. “Let's get you both dried off and more presentable before we reach the palace. Can't have rumors flying around about the virgin goddess and the Archangel of Light, now, can we?” With her other hand, Athena grasped Lucifer’s large hand and gazed up at him with a devious smile.

Diana’s virtue might well have been fully intact, but at the same time, she wanted to punch them both in their beautiful faces.

Reluctantly, she took Athena’s proffered hand. Just as her feet touched down on the other side of the wooden bridge, a movement from a thick clump of lilac bushes caught her eye. Neither of her companions noticed for they were so caught up in each other’s witty banter. Peering back, Diana squinted to focus. Shadows hung deep throughout the forest, but these were darker than the rest and oozed with a malignant sway that pressed down on the vibrant purple flowers, crinkling them until they lost all color.

A cold shiver of dark foreboding trickled up her spine.

Diana’s feet stumbled over a clump of fallen branches only to be saved once again by strong, warm arms.

“Careful, little one.”

At the sound of Lucifer’s voice, her heart stopped. At the same moment, a dark presence behind them erupted from the hedges and flew into the sky. Diana could’ve sworn there’d been a faint gruff chuckle just before it vanished.

Chapter 7

Doomed from the Beginning

The walk to the castle had taken longer than it should have, what with a side trip to the lagoon and flirting with the now sullenly silent goddess. Not that she’d been given an opportunity to speak since being joined by the erudite Athena. She wouldn’t shut up.

Lucifer acknowledged that he was considered by many to be a know-it-all, but the goddess of wisdom seemed anxious to show him she was smarter, and wilier, than anyone else in the universe. He had to hand it to her, she had more to say on any subject than all of Heaven’s scribes combined.

At first, it had been nice having someone smooth over the tension between him and Diana. But every time he so much as laughed or tried to interject a comment, Athena’s smile grew bigger while Diana kept her eyes on the ground. He suspected that she had been embarrassed by her near fall earlier. He thought it had been quite adorable. Besides, it had given him another opportunity to touch her, even if she had jerked away the moment that she’d been steady on her feet.

Recalling that kiss had messed with his mind—and other body parts—the entire trip. Why had he pushed her away like that? He guessed it didn’t matter. It was done and couldn’t be taken back. At some point, he’d like to evaluate why his body had responded so dramatically. Was it because he’d never been kissed before? Surely that must be the answer.

For if it wasn’t, had his reaction been based solely on the alluring Diana? If so, that made him no better than the lesser gods and mortals who gave in to their carnal desires at a whim. That... was not suitable for an angel and he was well aware of it. He’d admonished scores of his brethren for the same offense.

They crested a hill covered in bright daisies. The castle sparkled in the golden late day light. Realizing they were near the end of their journey, he found that he wished they could turn around and stroll right back into the forest... preferably without the talkative Athena. Despite the certainty that being alone with Diana would be the worst possible decision he could make considering how he’d botched things earlier, his chest constricted now that they would soon part ways.

“Diana”—Athena abruptly stopped—“allow me to escort Lucifer into the palace.” Athena looked at him, and her smile grew bigger. “Lucifer’s hair is all dried now, and he’s in proper attire.” She released her sister’s hand, then clamped onto his forearm with both of hers. “Your hair is still wet, and your face is quite ashen. It wouldn’t do any good to have you both seen together when you are in such disarray. We wouldn’t want irreverent talk from others spreading rumors.”

Words of objection jumped up his throat but died before crossing his tongue and slipping out his lips. Athena had a point. He’d be happy to be seen with Diana even if she was covered in mud from head to toe. She’d still be the most beautiful creature in the universe. But to keep up proper decorum, even his heart knew they had to separate, for he feared anyone with eyes could see what he knew he was repressing. They were forbidden to each other, no matter what havoc raged in his soul at the sight of her. To pretend otherwise could doom them both to an eternity of torment.

She could never be his. He could never be hers.

ALL SHE HAD TO DO WAS get through dinner without making a fool of herself... again. Athena had assured Diana that once their father tended to his business with the angel, then he would be gone and out of her life forever. Considering they were immortal, there still was a slight chance they’d cross paths again. Hopefully, enough time would pass for Lucifer to forget how she had thrown herself at him.

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