Seraphim Academy 3: Fallen Kings

by Briggs, Elizabeth;

  I can’t think of a single thing to say, so I sit there with them and wait for a duck breast to be put on my plate. The woman returns three more times with potatoes, vegetables, and rolls. Finally, we begin to eat.

  “I’m pleased you could join us tonight,” Uriel says, startling me. I’d started to assume we were just going to eat in silence.

  “Thank you for inviting me.” I take a bite of the duck, which is delicious.

  Uriel nods. “I thought it was time we grew more acquainted, since you seem to be an important part of my son’s life now.”

  Bastien clears his throat at that, and I wonder if this was a point of contention between the two of them. Does Uriel have a problem with me seeing his son?

  Uriel changes the subject before I can wonder about it too long. “How do you find living with Gabriel?”

  I take a sip of water to wash down a bite of potatoes. “It was a little awkward at first,” I say, while thinking nowhere near as awkward as this dinner. “But it’s become more natural as time has gone by.”

  “And your brother?”

  “It’s been great having him back. Jonah is a wonderful brother.”

  “He’s fortunate you were able to locate him.” He gives Bastien a sharp look at that, and I remember that Bastien’s the one who stole Lucifer’s feather from Uriel’s office. Which we never returned. Oops.

  Uriel doesn’t speak for several moments as he takes bites of his food, so I pick up my fork and continue. Just as I slice off a piece of duck and wrap my lips around it, he speaks again. “Tell me, what are your plans after graduation?”

  I nearly choke on the duck. I have no clue what I’m going to do. I look across the table at Bastien for help, but he’s staring at me with rapt attention, as if waiting on the answer himself.

  After another sip of water, I say, “I’m not sure yet.”

  Uriel’s lip twitches. I think that means he’s not pleased with my answer. “That’s unfortunate. There are only a few months left in the school year. Make sure you speak with Professor Rosangela to discuss your options.”

  “I’ll do that, thanks.”

  “I hope you’re finding it possible to keep your other appetites sated even with the ban on leaving campus,” Uriel says casually, as if we’re talking about the weather or the color of his shirt.

  “Father!” Bastien says. “That’s hardly proper dinner conversation.”

  Uriel looks at Bastien as if he’s the one being inappropriate. “I was only asking after her welfare.”

  I school my features into a calm expression instead of the shocked horror his question evoked. “I’m managing, thank you.”

  “Do you have plans for how you will carry on once school has finished?” Uriel shoots Bastien a quelling look. “You can’t expect to settle down with Bastien, given your succubus nature, of course.”

  This time, I’m pretty sure I can’t hide the shock and horror on my face, and I can’t even begin to know how to answer that.

  Bastien holds up one hand. “What Olivia and I do with our lives after graduation is between us. If I decide it is your business, I will let you know.”

  Bastien and Uriel stare at one another for several painfully long seconds, until Uriel inclines his head. “Very well. I apologize for the personal nature of my questions. We shall move on to a less sensitive topic. Tell me, have you ever been to the symphony?”

  Of course I haven’t. And things don’t get any less awkward after that.

  The dinner ages me by about ten years. I’m pretty sure I’ll have a gray hair when I wake up tomorrow. But eventually Uriel shows me to the front door and thanks me for coming, and I’m allowed to escape.

  “That went better than I expected,” Bastien says, as he offers me his arm so he can walk me to my dorm.

  “It did?” I laugh at that. “Now I’m wondering what you thought would happen.”

  He shrugs as we leave the house behind. “I wasn’t sure. I’ve never brought a woman home to meet my father before.”

  My heart melts a little at that, and I stop in the middle of the lawn and turn toward him. “No one’s ever brought me home to meet their parents before either. I don’t think Lucifer showing up and scaring the crap out of us counts.”

  “No, I’d say it doesn’t.” Bastien’s hands rest on my waist. We’re not being as discreet as we probably should be, but I don’t see anyone nearby either. “I apologize if he offended you with his questions.”

  “I’m used to everyone being weird about me being a succubus. And he’s right, I probably should figure out what I want to do after graduation.”

  “You’ve had more pressing things on your mind lately. Perhaps you need to relieve some stress.”

  I raise an eyebrow. “What do you have in mind?”

  “Let’s go somewhere a little more private,” he says, as his wings spread out behind him.

  He takes my hand and we fly above the roof of the gym, which is tall enough that it affords us some privacy.

  “Have you ever had sex while in flight?” Bastien asks, his silvery gray wings slowly flapping behind him.

  “No. Have you?”

  “Not yet, but I’ve read it’s quite the experience.”

  I’ve never even considered such a thing, but maybe I should have. After all, if you can fight while flying, you can fuck while flying.

  I’m already unbuttoning my jeans. “Let’s try it.”

  Desire flashes in his eyes and he flies toward me as I yank my jeans down, wiggling out of them as fast as I can. He pops open the buttons on my shirt and eases it off me, then quickly removes my bra and panties. It’s a warm night, and the moonlight against my bare skin feels wonderful. I wrap some light around us to make us invisible, just in case someone’s up late, and hope no one notices the pile of discarded clothes on the gym room.

  Once we’re both naked, we come together, kissing, stroking, melting into one. Slow wingbeats keep us flying in place, and then he wraps my legs around his hips and glides his thick cock into me. He takes my hand and puts it on top of his dark wings.

  “Touch them,” he says.

  I hesitate, never having touched another angel’s feathers before. It’s an intimate act only done with people you’re close to. People you love. Then he grabs my ass and rocks my body with his, his cock sinking deeper into me, and I have no choice but to obey him.

  I lightly rest my fingers on his wings, feeling how smooth they are, and then stroke them gently along their length. Bastien closes his eyes, his throat clenching. His feathers are longer than mine, but I think mine are softer. The silver parts are particularly rough, as if they’re brushed with metal. That needs exploring further.

  He groans and lowers his head to kiss me. While I continue touching his wings, he moves in and out of me in lazy, decadent strokes. His eyes gaze into mine the entire time, and everything about this moment is intimate. It’s not just sex, but so much more.

  Bastien takes it to the next level as he suddenly runs a finger along the top of my wings, making me shudder. “Your wings are the most beautiful I’ve ever seen.”

  I’ve never felt anything like this before, with our bodies joined as one, our wings beating to keep us in the air, and our fingers stroking each other’s feathers. It’s both arousing and soothing, all at once.

  Bastien begins to pick up the pace, his wings moving to push him deeper inside me. He hits me at the exact right spot to make me moan, and I clutch his wings reflexively. They flex under my hands, the soft feathers shifting against my grip.

  “Olivia!” he cries out.

  Oh, he likes that. He thrusts into me harder as I hold onto his feathers, and he grips mine too. With each flap of his wings he drives me higher and higher, pushing me up so gravity brings me back down hard on his cock. An orgasm breaks over me unexpectedly, and I moan through the intense pleasure, clutching Bastien for dear life as my body squeezes around him. He lets out a low groan as he loses himself inside me, and I stroke his wings until he’
s finished.

  “Put your wings away,” he says.

  Without arguing, I do it, and he wraps his arms around me. Carrying me like a bride, he flies us across the campus and I distantly think about how we’ll have to fetch our clothes later. At this moment, I really don’t care if I never see them again.

  We enter my dorm through the balcony, and he gently sets me on the bed, before settling in beside me. Neither of us speaks, until he presses a soft kiss to my lips. “Olivia,” he whispers. “Do you know how I feel about you?”

  I shake my head, although I’m pretty sure I have an idea. I just want to hear him say it.

  “It’s been quite a surprise to me.” His hands glide up and down my stomach absently. “I didn’t expect to develop real feelings for you.”

  I lift a hand to his jaw. “Bastien…”

  He takes my hand and kisses it. “It’s a curious thing. I’ve examined the situation thoroughly, and I’m certain I’ve fallen in love with you.”

  His words shock me to my core. I didn’t expect him to just flat out admit it like that.

  “I never believed I was capable of such a thing, until I met you,” he says.

  I let out a sigh. “I’m not sure I am either.”

  “If I can, then there’s hope for anyone.”

  He presses his lips to mine, and emotions surge inside me. They feel a lot like love, but what does a succubus know of love?

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Olivia

  The night of Lucifer’s Ball comes before I know it. Kassiel convinced me to go with him, even though my mother won’t be there. Last weekend the girls took me shopping, and I spent way too much money on a new dress and accessories. It amuses me to no end that I’ve been saving my monthly stipend from Aerie Industries all this time, and now I’m blowing a huge chunk of it so I can go to a demon ball. I’m sure their Order members would just love that.

  Besides, this dress is worth it. It’s the sexiest thing I’ve ever had on my body. Including lingerie. It’s made of the softest red silk and is backless, scooping all the way down so it almost shows the curve of my ass. The front would be demure, with a high neckline and long sleeves, except the dress hugs my curves in a way that makes it clear I’m wearing nothing underneath. The hem brushes the ground and hides the black pumps I chose to wear with it.

  I spin in the mirror, checking myself out one last time, admiring the expensive lipstick that perfectly matches the dress, the bare expanse of my back, and the way the fabric clasps at my shoulder with a delicate silver flower. If nothing else I’ll be turning heads tonight, as a proper succubus should.

  I can’t find my matching black purse so I fly over to the Princess Lounge, where the regular crew is watching Lord of the Rings. Jonah and Araceli sit together on one couch, with Tanwen and Eveanna on the other, and they all look very cozy sharing popcorn and beer. It makes my chest swell with pride and happiness to see them all hanging out like best friends, even if I can’t join them tonight.

  “I’m telling you,” Jonah’s saying, as I step inside. “Tolkien knew some fae. He had to.”

  “I suppose there are some similarities,” Eveanna reluctantly admits.

  Araceli squeals as soon as she sees me. “Girl, you look sexy as hell! Err, no pun intended.”

  “Thanks.” I grab my purse. “I’ll be back in a few hours.”

  “Have fun, but not too much fun,” Jonah says, and then Araceli shoves him playfully. Yep, she’s still got it bad. Jonah grins and shoves her back though, which gives me hope.

  I fly slowly to the forest so I don’t mess up my hair, and then open the doorway just like Baal taught me. As soon as it shimmers into view and opens up to Hellspawn Academy, I spot Kassiel on the other side, looking good enough to eat in a black tuxedo. And I thought he looked good in a suit. Damn.

  A smile spreads across his lips. “Wow,” he whispers. “You’re...”

  I walk through the doorway and give him a slow twirl. “You like?”

  His lust slams into me like a bullet. “You know I do.”

  His hands are all over me, touching my waist, my arms, then he leans in for a kiss. He doesn’t even hesitate with the threat of red lipstick all over him. The brand promised it wouldn’t smear, and it was right. When he pulls back from the searing kiss, his lips are lipstick-free, so it was money well spent.

  The doorway closes behind us. On this side, it’s made of shadowy darkness instead of light, and only those with demon blood can activate it, just like only angels can activate it from the Seraphim side. Lucky for me, I can do both.

  Kassiel takes my arm, and together we walk out of the forest. The campus is pitch black, except for some magical twinkling lights hovering at eye-level that look like tiny stars, leading us to another building just past Archfiend Hall. This one is called Morningstar Hall, and I hear the soft sound of classical music coming from its closed doors.

  “All of the graduating seniors attend this event,” Kassiel says, as he leads me around the back of the building, instead of through the open doors. “They walk down the stairs one by one and meet their parents, who present them to Lucifer. You will be going last, as a guest of honor.”

  I nod and try to ignore how nervous I am. “Did you have to go through this too? Or is that not required when you’re the son of the guy you’re being presented to?”

  He laughs softly. “No, I was raised and schooled in Hell, not here on Earth. The school didn’t exist when I was a child.”

  Oh. Right. Sometimes I forget he’s over a century older than me.

  He leads me into the back of the hall and up some stairs, where a man in a suit is waiting for us. He speaks with Kassiel quietly and nods, before stepping back. After another minute, the door opens and Kassiel puts his hand on my elbow to lead me inside.

  We step into the upper level of an enormous ballroom with tall windows and doors that open onto balconies under the night sky. It’s stunningly beautiful, but black crystal chandeliers and gold filigree trim can’t distract me from the horde of demons below. I’ve never been around so many demons before, not even at the sports games or when I visit the library here. And these aren’t all students. Their parents are here too. Their old, powerful parents.

  The man who let us inside raises his voice. “Presenting Kassiel, son of Lucifer, and Olivia Monroe.”

  My legs don’t want to move, but Kassiel nudges me forward to a sweeping staircase with a red carpet leading down it. The crowd murmurs as we slowly descend, and I pray I don’t trip on these heels or drop my purse. I’m not especially clumsy, but it would be just my luck to ruin this moment in front of everyone. If I were a normal student, my mother would meet me at the bottom and take me to meet Lucifer. But I’m not normal. At least Kassiel is by my side.

  I gaze across the great hall, trying not to look down, and spot Baal in the crowd. He’s met me in the library a couple of times when I came to research and I’ve gotten to know him a bit better. While he’s still severe and a little scary, he’s become sort of endearing too.

  Then my eyes move to the bottom of the staircase and I freeze. Standing there in the crowd is a gorgeous woman wearing a long black dress that looks as if it’s covered with tiny diamonds, giving the impression of stars in the night.

  My mother.

  As my foot hits the bottom of the stairs, Lilith steps forward and holds out her hand. Several people gasp. I blink back tears, trying to keep my face composed, as I realize what she’s doing. I always secretly hoped she would show up tonight, but I never thought it would happen.

  She’s officially claiming me as her daughter.

  I take her hand, and she gives me a dazzling smile that could bring kings and queens to their knees. The crowd parts without a word, though I hear shocked whispers tittering throughout the group. Kassiel follows a step behind us as we slowly walk down the red carpet. As people move aside, I get a good view of Lucifer sitting on a massive black throne up ahead. His shadowy wings are spread behind him and a si
lver crown sits on his forehead.

  Lilith stops a few feet in front of him and bows. “My lord, I wish to present my daughter, Olivia.”

  I quickly copy her and rise when she does. Even though I’ve met Lucifer before, it’s hard not to be intimidated by him. The power and majesty radiating off him is undeniable.

  Lucifer looks me in the eye with the hint of a smile upon his sensual lips. “Nice to see you again, Olivia.”

  “My lord,” I murmur softly, unsure what I’m supposed to say in this situation.

  He makes a twirling gesture and the small orchestra starts playing again. He then rises from his throne, and his wings vanish. “May I have this dance?’

  It takes me a second to realize he means me. Before I can respond, he takes my hand and sweeps me off to the side. In case enough people weren’t staring at me already.

  Lucifer puts one hand on the small of my back while the other holds my hand. I put my other hand, the one holding my tiny clutch, on his shoulder, as the music begins. Is this the time to mention to the King of Demons that I don’t know how to dance? Probably not.

  Then we’re off. The crowd moves to the edges of the room, revealing a big dance floor. Before I know what’s happening, Lucifer takes the lead, his dancing so skillful that even when I stumble nobody can tell. I catch sight of Kassiel and Lilith dancing gracefully on the other side of the floor. Soon other people join us, kicking off the night in style.

  “Thank you,” I say, sure nobody can hear me as we move swiftly across the floor.

  “No, thank you for rescuing my son. It saved me from having to get involved directly and possibly starting another war.”

  When the music ends, Lucifer presses a kiss to the back of my hand, and then offers me to his son. I melt all over again at the sight of Kassiel looking incredibly handsome in his black tuxedo, and desire races along my spine as he touches the small of my back.

  The night passes by in a whirlwind of introductions and dances. I even dance with Baal and a few other demons my mother introduces me to, and everyone is gracious and seems to be accepting of me. On the surface, anyway. When Lilith turns away, I see the jealous looks and hear the suspicion in their voices. But at this point in my life, I’m used to those.