The Witch's Devil (Complete)

Chapter 41,

Ember's POV~

Finishing up the disaster of a meal with quick ease. Our words were kept short as Cecile and her sisters had gathered my things. We kept in the grand hall away from prying eyes. Lilith took my concerns for getting to the door with a flick of her wrist. She tells me of her personal magic. Something to allow her access to the mortal realm from back when she walks on its plane. Along with those she considers close enough to earn access to the portal. It almost made me question the back door Cozbi brought me here through.

Once we were ready, there were no heartfelt words, no gestures of a familial bond. Just uneasy bitterness, side-long glances, and a headache hammering my skull. I hated how tonight turned out, it felt unnecessary and unnatural. A forced shift to the larger matters of olive branches. I released a sigh of exasperation, while pondering my thoughts. It was more so than anything, only a band aid over the crack in my mental wall.

This was far from over. Or maybe it was, I don't know how we got where we stood. Alastor's family history taking more of a driver's seat versus all else. Yet, as his arms wrapped around my waist from behind. Him pulling me back into his chest, his face nuzzled into the crook of my neck. Sweet, cascading sparks dance across my skin. I was to take him far from this hellish hole. Bring my devil home to be with me. That's all that matters now.

I've heard enough. I have seen and experienced more than imaginable. Learned more than one could possibly know. This place wasn't his home anymore, and I had forced him out of his home. My home. My heart fluttered at the thoughts of the future. I could feel his heart race. The deep breaths he took then exhaled tickled my skin. We were hurt.

Our foundation cracked and shaken to the core. Rather it would be irreparable for most, we were different. We are fate tied together by witches' strings.

Deciding now, though, deep down I knew the day after I calmed down, I knew. All I needed was time to process. To sit down and truly come to grips with the attacks. Time to process the trauma of that horrid night.

I stopped this man from speaking those hard words. Using my lips for a quick unyielding kiss. Unwilling to hear them now or later. I met those steely silver eyes with determination of my own. Willing a kind firmness through my next words spoken.

"No more guilt." Alastor gnawed on his bottom lip nervously. "No more regrets. No more blame." Releasing a shuddering breath to calm my nerves. "I just want us to heal, to try, to start anew with our best foot forward."

His eyes lined with tears yet none fell. Alastor briefly looked around the very room he saw me in. "Are you absolutely positive about this?" that question was more of a curiosity statement.

I grinned so wide it hurt, "If I wasn't sure then I wouldn't have come to hell to see you." I chuckle softly before continuing, "Or gone to battle with *the Queen Lilith* when I finally made up my mind."

Alastor shook his head side to side, eyes squeezing shut. That strong chest rose with harsh inhales. I could taste the bitter conflict he battles in that brain of his. With a bit of shuffling my hands come up to cup his cheeks in my hands.

I whisper my next words only he could hear, "Hey devil boy, show me those beautiful silver stars you call eyes."

His bubbling deep, rich laughter broke through. Wrinkling his nose with amusement as he did open up those perfect eyes. A mischievous smirk rose on the corners of his lips. Silently promising to do something wicked.

"Devil boy?" He voiced with a gruffness that hit low in my belly.

Rolling my eyes into the back of my head. "Of course that's what you choose to pay attention to." A giddiness spreads heat across my cheeks and ears. Tilting his head down so our foreheads touched. Our breaths intertwined in the mere inches between us. "I hope you're listening to your witch." A deep chuckle rumbles through his chest. We begin to sway in place together like a simple dance. "Because I am standing here, with you. Now." Putting pointed emphasis to that last word.

He nods his head in understanding in slow shy movements. Pulling his full bottom lip between his teeth showing a hint of fangs. Closing his eyes before speaking in a whisper, "I don't know what I did to deserve you."

A loud laugh escaped, unable to stop it from echoing off the surrounding walls. "No shit," I cackle now with playful teasing. Calming down my bubbling giggles, "We are starting anew, sorta, we are mates after all. I was very raw, very emotional," biting my inner cheek, "it's no excuse for how I treated you that night."

His voice hoarse, "It's alright, Ember. I get it."

Shaking my head in disagreement. "No," a shuddering breath passes through my lips. Pulling out of his arms nervously stepping to the fireplace. Holding my gaze to the art and knick knack cluttered walls. "It wasn't alright," I swallowed a lump, "It isn't alright."

A long silent moment passed between us. Icy chills run down my spine. Setting my nerves ablaze with a nervous worry. Fighting back my own emotions from not wanting to have this important conversation.

Creeks of footboards under footsteps are my only tell that my devil was shuffling closer. Then he was there with those comforting strong arms wrapped around my waist. Allowing myself to be pulled back into his embrace. His hard chest pressing into my back. A warm wetness falls down my cheeks. I'm physically trembling as guilt burns my nerves.

"I'm so sorry," I whisper sniffing as my tears won't stop.

"Oh kitten," his soothing presence is a comfort, "I never thought less of you. I crossed a moral line for you." Alastor pauses gently nuzzling his nose against the shell of my ear. In a few deep exhales he continues, "I could never be mad at you for having boundaries. I, in fact, love that about you." He chuckles softly in my ear and I shudder while my core dares to turn molten.

Unable to stifle a shallow breath, a whimper of surprise. I feel my heart crack with guilt. Before I realized what I had done. Betraying the fated bond, my witches thread, I gouged out his very heart because I couldn't accept the truth of our bond. What it means to be fated, and I let him down. I told him to get out. I didn't trust him, I was perhaps even scared. "Fuck." I said in a hoarse whisper. Holding onto him, his body vibrating with a kaleidoscope of emotions.

A long time passed, or maybe it was a few beats, before he spoke, "Hey, hey. Look at me." Alastor moved only a couple inches back to look into my eyes. Running his fingers in soothing strokes over my shoulders. Then up my neck sending the shudder through my body.

Once his palms cup my cheeks, lifting my face to his. His lips crashed into mine, our tongues tangled in a dance of shared passion. Pulling those lips away, Alastor smiles and it lights a fire in my stomach, "I will always love you Ember." Pecking my right cheek. "You can throw me out. But I know, that you know, sooner or later you'll always find me again. You know I will always be what's right for you and yours even if it means you hate me for a little while sweetheart." He kisses my left cheek, taking away the salt warmth of my tears.

Nodding my head in expressive agreement, "You know you deserve better than that."

Alastor shrugs with a mischievous grin, "Eh, maybe." I gasped, punching him in the biceps, he laughed so loudly. I kept punching with a playful pout across my face. "Hey now, no punching!"

Crossing my arms over my chest, "Humph, fuck you too." Unable to stop the grin curling at the corners of my lips.

After a calm heart beat we straighten ourselves up. While the amused smile grew wider. Alastor comes into my space, grazing his nose down the shell of my ear. Whispering sweet words that sets butterflies loose in my belly, "But you are my queen."

I kiss him deeply, wrapping my arms around his neck. His arms wrap tightly around my waist. "I love you, Alastor." A weight lifting off my chest. I had to repeat it into reality. "I. Love. You."

We laugh sweetly to each other. "Thank you, Ember. For taking that chance on a demonic stranger in a back alley full of cats." Nuzzling noses like love-drunk fools. "I love you too. Forever." Alastor added an extra emphasis to that last special world.

Dropping to my feet, "Now, my devil, the witch's devil." My face muscles hurt from the smile. "Let's get this life going. You have angry felines to ask for forgiveness from."

Bellowing a laugh, "Yes, my sweet tart, feline loving, knowledge glutton, witch."