Page 51 of Falling for the Devil

Also, not his voice, but a deeper one that sent the internal shouts scattering for cover.

It wasn’t lying. Sure, he could stay here forever... fucking Diana until they both died of exhaustion.

A grin turned up one corner of his mouth. That wasn’t a bad idea.

Oh, wait! That wouldn’t work either, he remembered. Whereas he never needed to eat or drink, eventually she would. Death by starvation for the woman that made every cell of his body light up with delight was not acceptable.

No, they needed to get out of there. Soon.

But there was no way they were going out that way.

An idea began to form. If he could wrap them both in a cocoon of protection flying through airless space, he could do so to swim them both out of the underwater cavern. Why had he not thought of it before?

Because you were too busy fucking the beautiful redhead.

Again, not his voice, but it wasn’t wrong. Lucifer couldn’t think straight with her nearby. All logic fled in her presence. It was the main reason he’d opted to leave her with that creepy little companion of hers to scout Methuselah. The better decision would’ve been to stay together, obviously.

He bent down to pick up a smooth stone by the water’s edge. Something about it sparked his interest. All the rocks here were white, some transparent. All except this one. It held a dusty-pink hue that shimmered in the scant light. He picked up another stone to examine it. Nothing but cold, clear quartz. The pink one also had a strange warmth to it.

“That’s a rose quartz. It represents unconditional love.”

Diana’s smooth voice startled him. Turning around, his breath caught in his chest seeing her stretch like a feline waking from a long slumber. He might be new to the arts of sex, but that sultry smile held intent and promise. One he intended to fully partake of before leaving this place.

Revenge could wait... for now.

WHERE HE GOT THE ENERGY, Diana would love to have known. Somehow—despite complete physical exhaustion—he found a way to rekindle the flames of passion over and over. She’d almost passed out after that last explosive orgasm. Actually, she might have, for a moment or two. When she’d opened her eyes, he was leaning over her and caressing her cheek, and calling her name.

“Rest now, little one. Rest.” As if on command, her eyelids drooped low, and a dark peace washed over her body. When she dared to open them again, she found Lucifer standing at the edge of the water, peering into the depths of the water as if searching for answers beyond.

Without turning his head to look at her, he motioned her over to his side. A warm, strong arm slipped around her waist and tugged her to him.

“It’s time to go.”

“Yes, I know.” Her heart sank for who knew what would happen to them—between them—once they returned to the harsh cold reality that awaited above.

Nuzzling into the crook of his shoulder, she sighed. A part of her longed to stay here forever. Just the two of them. But that was selfish—one trait she would never have accused Lucifer of having. He needed to avenge the murdered angels.

But what would become of them?

With a swift waving motion of his other arm, an impenetrable bubble of iridescent light surrounded them, and they jumped into the crystal-clear water. In moments, the cocoon sank beneath the water’s surface.

“I don’t know the way out or how deep under the ground we are, but you are safe.” He planted a kiss on the top of her head. “You will always be safe with me.”

They sped through the water. Once clear of the cavern, it became as pitch-black as the midnight sky, without the stars for illumination. How he could see was a wonder, but Lucifer did not slow his pace. Even darker shadows raced by them—some small, others large and frightening. But inside this bubble with him, Diana had never felt safer, nor more loved.

They glanced by a wall of lustrous rock, so close by, the bubble bumped against it. The protective barrier thankfully held.

Too soon, a lighter blue-gray hue surrounded them. They were ascending fast now. Glancing up, Diana saw the twinkling of light. Almost free. Just a few hundred yards or more.

When they breached the surface of the water, daylight dazzled her. She squinted against the glare, throwing one arm up to shield her eyes. Their bubble bobbed along with the turbulent current, far from any shore. The lake had been immense before they’d been swept under, but now it was a veritable ocean. Where had all the land gone? The evergreen forest? The endless landscape of lush green grass? The tall, imposing mountains that had lined the other side of the lake?

“Are we even on the same planet as before?” She hadn’t intended to speak the words with such a tremor, belying her fear.

“No, I don’t believe so.” Lucifer released her from his embrace.

“You mean we went through another portal while underwater without knowing it? How?”

He ignored her question and pivoted around the bubble, first one way, and then the other. His hand slapped his forehead. His lips upturned into a brilliant smile. “But I have an idea where we are. Trouble is”—he shook his head—“we have to find land to find the liminality entrance. And there is only one tiny parcel of land on this planet. Finding it is going to be... difficult doesn’t quite cover it.”

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