Hand of the Goddess ✔️

Chapter 22: Reunion

"Lillian," the angel said, still on his knees. "Gracious Mother of the Charis Realm. I've missed you."

Tears spring to her eyes, the goddess's emotions overwhelming her. Lillian takes over her body, wrapping her arms around the man. She holds Raven tightly, imprisoning him in an iron grip. He doesn't flinch, allowing her to sob into his shoulder.

"I can't believe you were here this whole time," the goddess said, using Nicole's vocal cords. "I've searched every corner of the realm for you, but everyone said you were dead."

"It feels like I've been asleep for a long time," he said. "I couldn't wake up, no matter how hard I tried. Every time I thought I was awake, I ended up trapped in another dream. This isn't a dream, right?"

"No," the Fallen Mother said. "This is real. You are awake."

He touches her face, making sure that she was there in his arms. "I hope so. I can't stand to lose you again."

Lillian lets out a laugh between her sobs. "You won't ever lose me. I promise."

At this point, Nicole had surrendered all control of her body to the goddess. While she was happy to see Lillian reunite with her lover, she couldn't help but feel like a third wheel in her own body. It was strange and embarrassing. Not to mention Raven was still naked. The only thing that would further her humiliation was if Cedric were to see her like this.

"Nicole," the demon Lord said, stepping foot on the grass. "Could you tell me why there's an angel in the garden of my manor?"

"I can explain," she said, regaining control of her body. She pulls away from Raven, flustered, and nearly trips over her own feet trying to reach Cedric. The Lord's eyes widened, realizing that the angel was naked.

"Can you? What possible explanation is there for a naked man with big, black wings in my garden?" He crosses his arms, tapping his foot impatiently.

"The naked man is Mr. Whiskers," she said.

Cedric's face reddens. "The cat? Do you really expect me to believe-"

"No," she said, interrupting him. "I don't expect you to believe it. But it is the truth. I accidentally turned that cat into an angel." She takes his hands, imploring him to accept her story. When he doesn't pull away, she continues.

"I came here to kill a demon for a goddess. I was told to use this dagger," she takes off her bracelet, shifting it into a weapon, "to stab Aaron and take his life in exchange for his crime. Did he ever tell you what that crime was?"

The Lord shakes his head. "I've had glimpses of his life before he was summoned into the realm, but it's all tortured souls and hellfire."

"His crime was killing the goddess's lover," she explains, "who just so happens to be that naked man with the black wings."

"That doesn't make sense," he said. "Is he supposed to be dead? What's he doing in my garden?"

"I'm afraid that's my fault," Aaron said, joining them. "My apologies, my Lord. I've been hiding him here in this manor the whole time."

At the sight of the demon butler, Lillian once again took over Nicole's body, seething with godly rage. She tries to fight the Fallen Mother for control, but it was like struggling to swim with anchors tied to her legs. She drowns, her world fading to black as a strange sense of deja vu takes over her.

To Cedric, it looked like she had fainted. He tries to catch her before she hits the ground, but Raven steps in, cushioning her body in time.

"Asmodeus," the angel said, greeting the butler as he cradled the girl's body. "Fancy seeing you here, former Prince of Hell."