“No love, I’m gutted.”
“Gutted?”
His answering sigh puts me on edge. Whatever is going through his mind right now, I’m sure to not like it, if his current countenance is any indication.
“I’ve done so much damage. I’ve hurt you too many times—”
I cut him off, not wanting to hear another word of his self-deprecation.
“I love you. That’s all that matters. I always have,” I say, placing my hand on top of his. “I don’t care what you did in the past. How badly you hurt me. I just want you. That hasn’t changed.”
“But our circumstances haven’t, Victoria. You’re still needed in the reaper kingdom and I’m still here. That can’t change. The balance of the universe depends on both of us upholding our positions.”
“I know that I have a duty to uphold, but why can’t I also rule here? There’s no reason I can’t.”
His face turns hard. “I won’t allow you to stay here. You’re better than that, Victoria. You and I both know it. You don’t belong in Hell.”
“And neither do you, Luke.” My voice rises as anger takes hold. I won’t allow him to continue to push me away for my own benefit. He doesn’t get to decide what’s best for me. Nobody does.
“You’re here out of obligation, not because you’re a bad man. You keep the peace and that’s amazing, but that’s not all that you are.”
“Look at how quickly shit spun out of control in my absence,” he bites out, growing angry himself. “I’m needed here.”
“I need you,” I cry.
His head shakes and lowers. “I’m no good for you. I’m the epitome of evil.”
I place my hand under his chin and tip his head so that we’re staring into each other’s eyes.
“You’re not evil, Luke. Even in the shadows, you bring light. God placed you here because you can turn a black soul to good. You shine like a beacon, drawing everyone to you. The truly wicked are only held at bay because your divine virtuousness wills it so. Please don’t turn me away. Please don’t cast me into darkness.”
I’m nearly crazed, begging for him to love me back.
“It isn’t for a lack of love, Victoria. My heart beats only for you.”
“Then let me stay.”
“Hell is the last place I’d want the woman I love to remain. It’s not safe for you.”
“I’d stay anywhere as long as you’re there with me.” I grab his hand, placing it over my beating heart. “You and me. Always. Got that?”
His eyes mist and I just about buckle at the sight. I lean forward and swipe the moisture away.
“I love you,” I whisper. “Please let me stay by your side. Choose me. Choose us.”
His breath catches and his throat bobs. “Only you, Victoria. It was only ever you.”
His lips crash to mine as he pulls me down onto him. All the love he has to offer is poured into this kiss. His hands roam as mine tangle in his unruly hair, tugging lightly. He groans and I pull away, nervous I’m hurting him.
“I . . . did I hurt you?”
“Quite the opposite. I’m hard as stone, Victoria. I can barely contain myself.”
I giggle like a damn teen, but it can’t be helped. Lucifer’s pained expression, mixed with his adjustment of his dick, make me want things that I shouldn’t, considering God was just in my presence.
“Your mother and father are near,” he says, and I roll my eyes.
“I’m pretty sure neither of them has a right to any say in my life. My father owes me for all of his lies.”
Luke lifts a brow. “You sound a little bitter, love. Anything I can do to help stoke that flame? I kinda like it when you’re angry. It’s hot as hell.”
I laugh. “I don’t know what you’re thinking, since you almost died, but if you don’t take me now, it’ll be me who perishes.”
“We wouldn’t want that,” he grins. “Whatever shall we do?”
“Hmmm,” I tap my finger to my chin. “We’re in your room. Let’s see just how hot things can get.”
I don’t waste time throwing myself at him, but he’s quicker than me, grabbing my hips and placing me underneath him.
His mouth comes down on my neck, kissing a trail downward until he’s met with leather.
“Damn clothes. While I quite enjoy your ass in this getup, it has to go.”
With a flick of his wrist, my clothes are gone. I’m entirely naked, and based on the gleam in his eyes, he approves wholeheartedly.
He cups my face and tilts it upward, placing his mouth on mine. I wrap my legs around his hips, drawing him closer to me. Demanding more from him.
He kisses me hungrily while pushing his erection into my wet center. I groan at the contact, needing so much more.
He runs his hand over my flesh, heating everywhere he touches along the path. Pulling away from my mouth, he grins devilishly down at me.
“What are you . . .”
“Quiet, love. I’ve wanted to taste you for too long.”
He slides down until his head is between my legs. When his tongue runs a line up my folds, I cry out, body shuddering as intense pleasure washes through me. My breathing is quick and shallow with every swipe of his tongue.
I don’t think it can feel any better until he inserts one expert finger, working me into a frenzy. My hands grasp at the sheets, nails digging in as I squirm under him.
It’s too much.
It’s not enough.
“Oh god!” I cry out.
Luke pulls away, smirking up at me. “Not God, love. Only the devil could make you come with his tongue and a single finger.”
My head falls back as my eyes roll into my head. “Don’t talk,” I groan, needing his mouth back on me.
He chuckles before diving back in. I thrust my hips up, rubbing my clit into his mouth unabashedly. The move only fuels him. His tongue grows more aggressive as he enters a second finger into the mix, drawing my orgasm to the front.
My core clenches and I cry out, coming onto his tongue as he laps up every last drop.
“Need you. Inside of me.” My words come out staccato and desperate.
In one swift motion, he centers himself at my entrance and drives in deep. My nails dig into his arms, pulling him closer, needing him deeper.
Pleasure pulsates through me with every thrust of his hips. I won’t last long at this punishing rate, and neither will he. His face contorts as his orgasm builds. Somehow, his cock hardens inside of me, pushing at my walls to accommodate its size. I mumble incoherently, whimpering with every single drive inside of me.
My walls contract around him as we both fall over the edge into complete ecstasy.
“I don’t think I’ll ever tire of that,” Luke says into the shell of my ear.
My back is against his bare chest as we both recover from the effects of our mutually exhausting orgasms.
“I hope you never do. That would make for one very long existence.”
He chuckles. “I can always trade you in for a younger version.”
I know he’s kidding. It’s in the teasing quality of his voice. The way his arms tighten around me.
It doesn’t stop me from feigning indignation. I twist around and slap his chest.
“You’re a pig.”
“I’m your pig, love. Always. Only yours.”
“Mmmm.”
I settle back into him, enjoying the warmth emanating from him.
He’s my serenity. My home.
“Do you think God will allow it?” Luke asks, sounding cynical.
“He’s allowed this.” I shrug, not really knowing how things will play out, but unwilling to go down without a fight. “Whatever happens, we face it together.”
He tightens his hold on me once more, leaning down and placing a kiss on my neck. “I love you.”
I turn, pulling him into me and searing him with a kiss that I hope conveys just how much he means to me.
That kiss ignites a flame that starts our lovemaking all ov
er again.
Neither of us come up for air anytime soon. We both know that this won’t be easy. Living in Hell isn’t something I’d do for anyone but him.
We’ll experience trials and tribulations. Hardships and wars will be fought to keep what we have.
I’m comforted knowing that I won’t walk this road alone.
Luke will be by my side.
He pulls away for a moment, just to offer his two cents.
“Always, love.”
EPILOGUE
ONE MONTH LATER
The past month has been a whirlwind, rounding up the remaining traitors and bringing them to justice. In between helping in Hell, I’ve been back and forth to the reaper kingdom, learning about my people and getting to know my mother.
Today, my mother has called a meeting with Lucifer and the archangels to announce her plans and where I fit into them.
“I’ve called you all here because I have decided not to retire.”
The angels murmur their surprise to each other, but it’s River who has my attention. His eyes are wide, signaling this is the first he’s heard the news.
My mother has made it clear to me that whatever was between her and the reaper is over. She doesn’t wish to give him false hope, and as much as my heart hurts for him, it’s for the best.
I’ve come to know Camille, and her heart lies firmly in Michael’s hands, even if her love is unrequited as far as she’s concerned.
It isn’t. I see the way that even now, he can’t take his eyes off of her. His back is straight and his hands are clenched at his side. His typical scowl isn’t present. In its place is a longing so fierce, it cuts the air around us.
“My only goal in doing so early was to get Victoria back. But I never needed to retire for that to happen.” She smiles at me, and I return it. “I’ve spoken with Victoria, and she has agreed to serve on my council.”
River finally looks my way and nods his approval.
“She has some wonderful ideas that I think will truly make a difference in the reaping of souls. She brings with her youthful, bold ideas that I think the whole of the universe will benefit from.” She turns to me. “But I’ll let her share those ideas with you.”
She sweeps her hand out, effectively turning the conversation over to me.
I clear my throat, wanting—no needing—every being in attendance to jump on board.
“My goal is to remain here in Hell alongside Lucifer, as queen.”
Gasps replace the murmurs as the weight of my announcement settles over the room. It’s mostly coming from the archangels, as Camille has already been briefed on my plans.
Although she remains skeptical, she’s come to realize that I can’t be persuaded otherwise.
I’m in love and she can either accept my choice and get to know Lucifer as I do, or we can be estranged. My choice is him. Always.
“He’s asked you to stay in Hell?” Leeanna asks.
I flash my left hand, showcasing the gleaming black diamond that’s far too big for my liking. Luke’s the flashy type, and he claims that the queen of Hell must have the appropriate diamond. I smile at him, remembering the night he asked me to be his forever.
Luke had arranged a picnic, complete with all of my favorite things. Beignets from Café Du Monde, ripe strawberries dipped in decadent chocolate, the finest champagne I’ve ever tasted, and a host of other finger foods to keep us sated during our tryst.
Hell is a dark abyss, but somehow, he managed to lasso stars into the black sky. They shone down on us as though Heaven itself was giving its blessing. We made love underneath the star-blanketed sky, basking in our unending love and devotion to one another.
Throats clear, bringing me back to the present. I sigh, continuing on.
“I will be given passage to the reaper kingdom to serve on the council, and when the time comes, hopefully not for centuries”—I grin at Camille—“I will rule from both kingdoms.”
More murmuring flits through the room, but I don’t pay attention to any of it. My gaze is locked on Luke’s.
“How do you plan to do that?” Leanna asks.
I blow out a breath. I should’ve known this wasn’t going to be as simple as saying it.
“I have time to determine how that will work best, but at this point, the way I see it, I will have a chancellor, or someone who rules in my absence. I have no idea yet who that will be. It will take a great deal of trust,” I say, glancing toward River, who sits stoically. “However, that’s not a conversation that needs to happen today, as Camille has no intentions of retiring for some time.”
Camille nods. “I shall help in securing a trusted board of advisors along with whatever additional positions she requires, when the time comes.”
“You mentioned a change in how reaping is conducted. What does that include?” Leeanna asks, sounding like a human reporter rather than an angelic being.
“I’ll let Victoria take that question,” Camille says, motioning to me to go on.
“There needs to be reform. The way reaping works right now doesn’t make sense. Souls who deserve pardon are taken directly to Hell, without their full story being known.”
“Not all who are condemned are truly bad,” Lucifer chimes in. “We’ve all spent enough time on Earth to know that there are forces pressed upon humans that bend them to do things outside of their norms. It’s not right to automatically condemn every soul.”
“How could we manage that?” River asks. “There’s nothing that can be done quickly enough. With souls wandering Earth and not being placed immediately, that puts humans at risk.”
“I have some ideas,” I jump in. My excitement can’t be contained.
I’ve pored over this for the past month, trying to determine a solution. While there is work to be done with it, I do believe I’m on the right path.
“Purgatory needs an overhaul. Its current use is pointless and ill-managed.”
River and Zeke share skeptical glances, but I ignore them.
“Right now, those who don’t choose to go to the light end up in purgatory and lose their minds. This turns into a poltergeist situation, because there’s no one there to guide them. Those souls who run from Heaven ultimately go insane.”
“Yes, but those are not condemned souls,” Leeanna says. “They’re simply wanderers.”
“Correct, and they’re few and far between. Purgatory is too big a place for those souls. It allows too much room, and thus time, for them to go mad. There’s plenty of room for the condemned too.”
“How will that not result in the lost souls being corrupted?” Zeke asks dubiously.
“Come now, Zeke. You and I both know that Purgatory is a vast land. With the proper organization, surely, the two groups can be kept separate,” Luke says.
“We need to fortify the barriers and get the lost souls to Heaven by educating them on what’s to happen,” I cut in. “They’re scared. That’s why they’re running from the light. There’s no explanation. We need counselors of sorts, something like what humans have. Beings to help guide those spirits, as opposed to letting them wander and cause problems.”
“That explains reforms of the current use of Purgatory, but what of the condemned?” Michael asks, seemingly interested.
“The souls who are condemned should be placed in Purgatory while an assessment of their past is carried out to determine whether they are truly worthy of redemption.”
“That’s all well and good, but that would be a large operation. We don’t have the manpower to do something like that,” Michael drones.
“I believe I can help with that.” Luke comes to stand next to me, joining our hands together in solidarity. “I spent centuries here getting to know my subjects. Only the truly vile are tortured. The rest of them, like Azazel, live freely in Hell. I believe they would be on board with serving a sentence in Purgatory, doing the leg work of determining whether the new souls should be condemned or given access to Heaven.”
“What’s in it for t
hem?” Zeke butts in, arms crossing over his chest.
“I wasn’t finished, Ezekiel,” Luke groans. “In exchange, after a certain period of time served, they should be given access to Heaven.”
More murmuring, as they all deliberate. No one outright refuses, which is a good sign.
“How could we ensure there’s not a coup?” Lee asks haughtily.
“What exactly are you implying?” Azazel—my grandfather—grinds his teeth in anger.
I’ve gotten to know him a little over the past month, and I think he’s an amazing ally to Luke. He has Hell’s and Earth’s best interests at heart, which is rare from a high demon, even one who hasn’t truly earned his place in the underworld.
“How do we know that the demons here won’t use the opportunity to turn all the souls to Hell’s cause?” She doesn’t so much as flinch at the glare that Azazel rains down on her.
“Hell’s cause?”
“Enough,” I yell, garnering all of their attention. I soften my tone before addressing Leeanna. We’ve made big strides in rekindling what we once had, and I don’t want to argue with her now. But I need her cooperation. It’s important. “This isn’t helping, Lee. God himself saved Lucifer. Would he have done that if he truly thought him unworthy?”
Lee nods, considering my point, but doesn’t say another word. She doesn’t do it for Luke’s benefit, but her own. It wouldn’t be a good idea to question God’s choices, and she knows it. A part of me believes she remains quiet for me too. We’re both trying.
“I volunteer to lead the experiment in Purgatory,” Zeke says, raising his hand.
I offer a sad smile, because it can’t be him. “No, Zeke. You’re needed on Earth.”
The words come to me as if I’m simply the puppet, and a ventriloquist is doing the speaking.
“The Nephilim need somebody to help guide them into their powers. Someone to keep humans safe. You’re the only one I trust to do that.”
“If not him, then who?” Michael asks.
“I’ll go,” River says, speaking for the first time.
Camille’s gaze snaps to his. “River, Solis needs you.”
He doesn’t turn to her, keeping his eyes trained on me. “The reaper kingdom has plenty of amazing guards, but I’d recommend that Caterine be moved into my position.” He takes a step toward me, voice lowering. “I need some time away from Solis, and I think this would be a worthy assignment, if you agree, Victoria.”
Trust the Fall (Fallen Hunters Series Book 2) Page 22
