Bloodflood

13

I awoke the following morning with a violent, throbbing pain in my head. I didn't get hangovers often, but the residual effects of the Bellaria sure felt like one. On my bedside table were a bottle of painkillers, a glass of water, and a note. The note was a reminder of the breakfast that I would be having with Azazel's parents. I hadn't forgotten but then I wondered, had Azazel left this for me?

I showered and got ready before making my way to the dining area. The halls were quiet and it didn't seem as though anyone else was awake. There was no way for me to be able to tell the actual time. Time didn't move the same down here as it did on earth. Time seemed to move much more swiftly and days felt shorter.

It could have been that my brain was having a difficult time processing all of the new information and insane sequence of events. I was someone's wife at just twenty-three years old when I had been so certain of my timeline and plans. Marriage wasn't even a part of my plans. But here I was, uncertain why I wasn't fleeing or why I hadn't asked to return yet.

Azazel had been so certain that his father would've forced the meeting had I not come willingly. And truly, he was a man of his word. I hadn't even been here a day before Lucifer married me off to his son. He was ensuring my place here with Azazel. Felicity said that Azazel wouldn't force things but it was clear that Lucifer certainly would.

I sighed. I was trapped here, wasn't I?

I wondered if there was any way to gain Lucifer's trust but the man seemed cold as ice. I wasn't sure I'd be able to melt the shards around his heart. And Lilith, well, she was simply interesting and slightly frightening. She reminded me of a snake, low in the grass, awaiting the right time to pounce. Her doe eyes captured you, and it was hard to look away, almost like a threat. I almost feared her as much as I feared Lucifer.

And Azazel seemed to have no true power when it came to his parents. We had both been thrust into this situation together. He was much more willing than I was but I wondered how much of that was feigned out of obligation. His ploys were only to fool me into thinking he was in control when it was Lucifer and Lilith who held the reigns. 

Azazel would never admit to being powerless. I was sure of that. His ego wouldn't allow it.

I opened the door to the dining room and spotted Lilith, Azazel, and Lucifer seated at a small, square dining table. Lilith and Lucifer sat next to one another and Azazel had an empty seat next to him ready for me to take. I swallowed nervously, tucking my hair behind my ear. 

As the door shut behind me, Azazel glanced up at me. I felt a small moment of peace before my anxiety spiked as Lilith turned around in her seat and sent me a bright smile. I smiled back hesitantly, taking my seat next to Azazel.

"Good morning," I said to the table, my eyes falling on the various pastries and coffee on the table. I opted for a croissant and warm tea instead. I was already feeling anxious and the coffee would only exacerbate the feeling. "I'm sorry if I'm a little late for breakfast. I'm not sure how to tell the time down here."

"Well, it's brunch now," Azazel said, his tone unreadable. "Welcome."

"Don't mind him. Azazel is just a little cranky in the mornings. We're glad that you joined us," Lilith said, taking a sip from her mug.

"I'm not cranky," Azazel said, his tone low.

"It's nice to finally be able to have a formal sit down with my son's wife and our newest family member," Lucifer said, his eyes on me before they slowly drifted over to Azazel. "You're almost a man now."

I winced, feeling both empathy and anger for Azazel. I also felt as though I was intruding on a conversation that I shouldn't have been around for. I saw Azazel stiffen in my peripheral vision before he let out a slow, quiet sigh.