Lucifer's Bride [Complete]

95

Satisfied that he's made his point, dad spins me around and hugs me one last time. He whispers praises of love and respect and pride into my hair. For the last time, a few stray tears roll down my cheeks. I've forgiven myself and he's gotten then chance to see the woman his daughter has become. We're whole now, he and I, just like we should have been years ago.

"I love you, Amelia. I always will."

With my heart still aching, I give dad a quick squeeze goodbye and step back. He smiles at me, mouthing how proud he is as the circle of black flames erupts around him. The flames reach up towards the ceiling again, cutting off all contact. The fire remains blazing for a few seconds before retreating, revealing a plain slab of marble where my father had been standing only seconds before.

A menagerie of emotions flicks through my head. I'm happy to see my father again, surprised that he had the audacity to challenge my husband, and sad to see him go. But the few minutes I had with him were more than enough. My heart has healed itself. Finally.

I stand staring at the floor, smiling slightly, when Ihear movement behind me. Seconds later, Lucifer's cool, strong arms wraparoundmy waist and pull me close against his chest. His lips press into my hair andwarm breath spills down my back. I close my eyes and lean into him, reveling inhis touch.

"I can see where you inherited yourspine," he whispers into my hair.

I laugh softly. "Dad and I had to deal withmom on a daily basis. We didn't take shit from anyone."

"I know your pain," he laughs."Feel better?"

I nod. "Much." I spin around and loopmy arms around his neck. "Thank you."

He leans forward and nuzzles my neck."Anything."

An idea slips into my mind, one filled with lustand joy and excitement. I smile and step forward, pressing my body against his.My breasts flatten slightly against his chest, bulging out of the generous cutin my dress. I lean back slightly so I can look at him, twisting my fingersinto his soft hair.

"Anything?" I ask playfully.

A wicked smile appears on his face. "Havesomething in mind, do you?"

I smile back at him. "As nice as it was tosee my father again – thank you again for that – I don't consider that agood enough payment for the pain and suffering you've put me throughtoday."

His smile fades, a look of uneasy confusioncrossing his features. "Meaning what?"

My smiledoesn't fade. "I've changed my mind. You do owe me forthat failed sex experiment with your other half." I lean forward, pressingmy breasts harder against his chest. "Make it up to me."

A winning smile flashes across his lips beforehe scoops me up and spins on his feet. "Yes, ma'am!"

He carries me back to our bed, cradling meagainst his chest. I sink into his embrace, a feeling of warmth and safetywashing over me. This creature, dark and menacing as he may be, is my husband.He loves me, cares for me, is willing to fight and die for me. And I'm willingto do the same for him. After all the shit and turmoil we've been through,we've found ways to bond ourselves to each other and keep our hearts – andbodies - close.

I giggle suddenly, laughing at the ironichappiness of the situation. A human girl and the demon king have successfullyfallen in love with each other. The impossible has happened. God must be losinghis mind.

As we near the bed, the gravity of this state ofaffairs settles over me. I am no longer a simple teenager or a human. I am thequeen of the underworld. The damned souls and sadistic demons who live herefollow my orders and pay their respects to me. As awkward as it may feel, I'vetaken on an entirely new set of responsibilities. I've sworn to uphold theduties of my crown and damn it, I will, even if that means going against mynature to keep this ship afloat. If that means sentencing a damned soul to keepthe mechanism moving, so be it.

"I love you," I whisper softly to myeternal husband.

"I love you, too, Amelia." His voiceis strong, confident. Honest.

"Do you think Lilith will finally acceptme?" I ask quietly.

"I don't really care. I accept you, and sodoes everyone else. You're queen, damn it, whether she likes it or not."

I nod. "How's my mom?"

"Just fine. She'll be up in an hour or soto help you dress for the party."

I look up at him. "Party for what?"

He grins down at me. "Old Beelzebub hasdecided to get a bride for himself. We're celebrating the end of hiscelibacy."

I throw my head back and laugh. "Good forhim. Who's the girl?"

"No idea."

I loop my arm around his neck again. "Oh,Lucifer! We must help him pick!"

His grin turns wicked. "I agree. You and Iwill find someone worthy of being married to the old codger. Perhaps a lovelynun or a young schoolgirl."

I nod. "Yes, those sound like wonderfuloptions."

We reach the bed finally, and Lucifer gentlylowers me onto the soft blankets. He moves fluidly, crawling on top of me andstraddling my hips. I reach up and pull him down, kissing him deeply as hisfingers work my dress up my legs. My love and lust for him combine into oneglorious feeling of heat the settles into my heart. It's filling and comfortingand everything I could ever possibly want. And I'm never letting the go.

I lean my head back and sigh as he pepperskisses along my throat. "What would I do without you?"

He chuckles against my skin. "You'd gomad."

Sad but true.

"Don't ever leave me," I whisper intothe air.

"Never." He rears up and grins down atme, hauling the edge of my dress over my bare hips. "Shall we try thatoral initiation again? I don't think you got a very thoroughintroduction."

I smile up at him, still captivated by hisimpossible beauty. "Please."

"With pleasure."

He slides down the bed as I watch. His coldhands slide under my hips and arch my body off the bed. I relax and let himmove me freely, no longer caring if anyone should walk in and see us. If theydo, then they'll get one hell of a show.

I settle into the bed, waiting for the pleasurethat's sure to come. My heart settles in, too, finally allowing me to accept myfate. I am queen. How and why I got here is no longer important. What is importantare the people and things I've now sworn myself to. Lucifer is my husband. Hellis my home. The demons here are my family.

And I won't let anyone try to take any of thisfrom me again.