“Shh, it’s okay, Luc. Just give in. Give this to me. You did so well, but I want more now. You gave me your obedience, but now I want you to give me your pleasure.”
His answering groan was almost pained as his cock jerked and pulsed in our hands, ropes of cum striping my belly as his climax took hold.
“You were perfect,” I crooned, pushing back the sweat-dampened strands of his hair and pressing a kiss to his forehead.
He was still shaking, but whether it was from the intensity of his orgasm or just the session as a whole, I couldn’t tell.
“You have too many clothes on for me to return the favor, crabapple. Let’s take care of that,” he finally said, reaching for my shirt.
I stopped him with a gentle hand. “That’s not what this was about.”
He cocked his head. “It’s not? But I thought...”
“You wanted to prove that you’re mine. That this isn’t just about you getting your antichrist and using me for your apocalypse, right?”
He nodded, but his gaze was much more guarded. It was as if he could tell that my thoughts were no longer focused on the two of us here in this dream. Perhaps he could. But after what Chaos mentioned earlier about Lucifer’s current mission, how could they not be? If Luc switched his allegiance to our side, we might actually have a chance of stopping this apocalypse. Not to mention the chance at an actual future as a group. Because without that piece of the puzzle, I didn’t see any way the six of us would be able to make this work. And try as I might to deny what was between Luc and I, this dream only proved how real our connection was. I could no more give him up than I could the others.
Searching his gaze for another moment, I gave a little nod. “Okay. Then finish what you set out to do, Luc. Find Pan and Sunday. Bring them safely back to us.”
“And then you’ll believe my intentions are honorable?”
I laughed. “Honorable might be a stretch, but I think it’s definitely a start.”
“You’ll trust me before this is over, Merri.” He stood, naked and glorious. “I’ll see you soon, my queen.”
Chapter
Eleven
LUCIFER
My arrival back in hell was a bit anticlimactic, but that was by design. I wanted to steal a few moments alone to collect myself and ensure my time in chains wasn’t too obvious before heading off to greet the adoring masses. Normally I’d have demanded great fanfare. A harbinger, if you will, heralding my triumphant return. But that would have to be reserved for another time.
And truth be told, a large part of me was curious to learn what my troops had been up to during my leave of absence. Catching them off guard would be far more illuminating than providing them with any sort of advance notice. One must always keep the staff on their toes.
“When the cat’s away . . .”
With a little sigh, I lifted the lid on my closet’s center island and inspected the rather expensive collection of watches I’d amassed over the past century. Each one given to me in a bargain for some rich prick’s soul. Authenticity mattered, and every single piece of art, designer clothing, and priceless jewels I owned was the real deal. There was no way I would allowhumansto possess such treasures. Case in point, the MonaLisa hanging over my toilet. Nothing said endless wealth like a historical masterpiece in the bathing chamber. Why in the name of all that was unholy anyone would pay to see the paint-by-number replica I donated to the Louvre, I’ll never know.
Can I let you in on a little secret? Just between you and me. But you have to promise not to tell.
She’s not smirking in the original. I threw in that little detail. DaVinci captured her in her signature sulky pout. I remember him vividly, frustrated beyond belief as she posed. “Ah, my dove, you must smile for me. You would be such a vision if only you would smile.”
I’m surprised she didn’t geld him before the end with her bare hands. I mean, can you imagine? No woman since the dawn of time has appreciated a man commenting on her facial expression. Idiot.
One diamond-encrusted Rolex and an amused snort later, I was ready. Feeling every inch the bad bitch that I was, I sauntered my way out of my private suite and down to the throne room. I was surprised not to run into any of the Princes along the way, but they always were a rather lazy lot.
Shoving the two-story-tall doors open, I waltzed into the throne room with my arms out wide, a beatific smile on my face. They were all there. The horsewomen, my seven Princes, a few demonic minions, and even a troll or two. No one spared me a glance. Envy sat with Pride and Greed, all three watching images play out on the wall as though it were a TV screen. A demonic newscaster delivered headlines via a projection being broadcast across hell.
“And our top story tonight, two more hellmouths opened early this morning, bringing the total to five across the globe. Sources say the resistance is unable to keep up with border patrol. Demon authorities say, if you’ve got your ticket to thesurface, now is the time to claw your way up and claim your land topside.”
Oh, goodie, the apocalypse was being televised after all.
“This reminds me of the gold rush, back when the humans were so desperate they’d kill anyone who looked at them wrong,” Greed said, shaking her head. “I miss those days. Even now, with the world ending, they’re not as cutthroat.”
“It’s coming. Just be patient. Once they realize it’s kill or be killed, all bets will be off, and we can bathe in their blood if we choose.” Pride was always a dastardly, opportunistic fuck. It was good to see some things never changed.
“Well, don’t all get up at once,” I deadpanned, doing my level best to hide my pout. Was it too much to ask for a little acknowledgment? I mean, really. I’d been gone an age. Did no one care?