The Devil's Embrace (ONC 2024)

Epilogue 1

Life continues even after one has died. My life also continued after my mate left this realm. My heart still calls out to him even if it's been three years since his death. It's like old wounds open when I see his friends, which is daily now.

Since his death, I've been trapped in his world. His universe. His Hell. Lucifer is still King of Hell so Tatsuya hasn't became King yet. I don't know if Lucifer will ever let his throne go to anyone outside his bloodline. Sometimes, I wonder if Lucifer is hiding something. Something that would change the course of everyone's lives.

"Princess Ember." Rhlox calls out from the doorway.

"Rhlox." My voices cracks in fright.

"Sorry to scare you ma'am." He apologizes with sorrow in his eyes. I glance back down at Lazarus's ancestor book. With my better judgment, I close the book and look back up at Rhlox.

"He'd be proud of you, you know." His voice is small as he speaks.

"I don't know why he would be." I answer.

I haven't done anything since his death. I've been learning the "princess" ways around here. I've been learning about Lazarus and where he truly came from. His room is right next to my own. At times you'll see me open his door just to get a sense of comfort from his smell. At times, it feels as if his presence is there, lingering and waiting.

People said losing a loved one, you'll eventually get over it. You'll become whole again. I think they're full of shit. If that was the case, I wouldn't be the walking egg shell of a person I am now. I would be out dancing around in the flower fields instead of the fake smiles. It's funny how a man who didn't want a mate still left a hole within me.

"You don't give yourself enough credit, Ember. You were able to stop two ancient families from ripping each other apart. You were able to have them compromise. I'm proud of who you are, so I know he would be." Rhlox softly says as he backs out the door.

I place the book onto its shelf, I climb off my chair and begin to walk out of the room. As I exit the castle, I let out a whistle. Flaming trees rustle around me and soon Attor and Kaida appear before me. In between them is their young dragon, Aura. Aura is a little over a year old, she has these beautiful golden eyes that mesh well with her golden honey scales. Aura lets out a small dragon roar and boops her small head against my arm.

"Ready to fly little one?" I whisper to her.

The glint in her eyes that reminds me of her mother's. A heartfelt laugh escapes my lips as I watch her prance around just like her mother.

Attor lowers his body to the ground. I watch as he rolls his magnificent body over and has his belly up in the air. Since Lazarus has passed, Attor has become this child like dragon. He loves his dragon belly rubs. I place my small hand against his belly and begin to rub. His black tongue begins to stick out of his mouth, like a hellhound would. In the distance, Aura is still prancing around like the adorable dragon she is.

Kaida nods her head at me, it's her signal telling me it's time to ride. I stop Attor's belly rubs and walk to Kaida. Kaida lowers herself to the ground so I can climb up her with ease. I carefully climb onto her without stepping on her round belly. She'll give birth in a month's time.

She carefully stands back up once I'm adjusted on her. With her beautiful dark wings, we take flight with Aura beside us and Attor caging her in between the both of us. I watch as Aura carefully gets ahead of us. I watch as her carefree spirit shines through. She begins to flip in the atmosphere like a front flip. Her small roars sound like soft giggles.

If it weren't for his sisters and his close group of warriors and ranked members.... Especially these two dragons and now Aura.... I don't know if I would have survived losing my mate. As we sail through the sky, a song Lazarus would sing out plays in my head like a melody. Just as the lyrics would sound from his mouth, I begin to sing out his song.