ACEDIA: Love in Hell

EPILOGUE

I lie back on the chaise in the library, a book on Ancient Egypt's early dynastic period resting against my rounded stomach, pouting at Valefar on the other end while sticking my bare leg in the air.

"Please, Vale?" I wiggle my toes. He glares at me and slips my foot in the palm of his hand.

"This is what the King of Sloth has been reduced to," he grumbles. "You're lucky you have pretty feet."

"They're sore and swollen and will be prettier after a massage." I insist, lifting my book back up.

"Yes, my queen."

I try not to laugh as this powerful demon king gives me a gentle foot rub, fully taking advantage of my new position as queen. The coronation ceremony took forever to plan. I had no idea there was so much that goes into becoming royalty. I knew a little about how Henry VIII's queens were coroneted and expected it would be different in Hell, but Valefar was overly excited and wanted everyone to see me in all my shadowy glory.

The day I was crowned was absolutely wonderful. Lamia designed a dress and armor combination for me which was very beautiful. I shone like a star among the clouds and fog and all were in attendance including royalty from the other kingdoms. I was brought from one end of Somnus Gate to the castle proper with the people throwing my favorite purple shamrocks and cheering for me. Valefar crowned me himself and I stood proudly beside him, in front of my new throne.

Darra, Valefar's little sister, looks similar to me in physical age and we'd become friends during my 'engagement'. She and her children – who also look our age, it's super weird – have taught me what it means to rule as well as what to expect regarding the baby growing inside of me. Dar assured me it wouldn't be born with horns.

I've taken my role as queen very seriously, even though it does little more than amuse Valefar. There'd be a big fashion upheaval here; I wanted Sloth to be known for more than just dreariness and purple flowers. Lamia was a huge help with that endeavor since she loves making clothes. We played off the Roman gladiator look that Vale and Bolfri sported since so many of the demons here have animal legs and can't wear pants.

And regarding modernity? I don't care how lazy these sinners are; I wanted toilets and running water. I claimed that Hell can be a place not of divine punishment but of divine penitence, and the best way for slothful people to atone for their sins is to be motivated and hardworking.

We were going to kiss latrines goodbye. Figuratively.

Vale told me that change would come slowly and I had all the time in the world to see to it. I still can't fathom relative immortality but I'm learning to take things day by day. Lamia assured me that I'll get used to things; the shadows at my fingertips and the fact that I'll never age, or that one day I'd possibly see my children as friends and not my babies. I told him there's some parts of humanity that won't escape me, like spoiling and fussing over my children. He wants to have lots of babies. I kind of do, too.

The other sovereigns respect me, and that's good. Darra's my buddy and mentor, Gremory loves my opinions on fashion, while the menfolk exchange letters with me on what I know up on earth. While I'm not the first human in a position of power, I am the first who's so eager to talk about current events. Lamia helps me keep up with them somehow. I should probably ask what she does. Vale says while humans don't have the power to transcend worlds, as a demon I could actually go up on earth if I wanted.

I'm not ready. My dad's still alive somewhere, mourning me, not knowing how happy I am. I want him to think I'm at peace, and I don't know how he'd handle seeing a woman who looks like his dead daughter with horns and black, shadowy limbs.

"Hey Vale?" I look up from my book, smiling as he continues to rub my feet like a good and proper husband. "What do you think Gaap is doing right now?"

I hadn't seen or heard from him since he escaped Lamia's rage. I was nervous he'd show up to my coronation but security was on high alert and he never showed. After we told Vale about Sean and Jason managing to infiltrate the guard and that there were potentially more agents in the castle, Folcalor and Bolfri worked to weed out every traitor in our midst. I'm sure some spies still linger, if Gaap hasn't given up his aspirations to take back Lust. Cain still considered aiding him until he learned of my kidnapping. Then Wrath made a decree that those who brought Gaap's head to Sloth would be handsomely rewarded. His options were limited, but from what I knew about Nero back in Ancient Rome, he was unpredictable. The cards are stacked against him and he'll either rise from it, or he'll destroy himself in dramatic fashion.

"He has those loyal to him in Lust," Vale explains. "He probably will flee back home but do his absolute best to stay hidden until he has more allies. Wrath and Sloth won't help him, Greed will most likely stay out of it, too. I can't say about the rest, but I think they like you more than him."

"Wait, really?" I sit up. "I've been queen for only a few months and we've barely seen anyone besides Cain and Darra."

Vale shakes his head a little and reaches for my wrist, pulling me over into his lap. He strokes my belly as I lean against him. "My love, do not sell yourself short. You make quite an impression, I assure you. You backhanded me the night we met."

I frown just a tad. "The night we met was when I was murdered." I shudder at the thought, still not ever able to get over the feeling. "I hope that never happens to me again. I think after that, childbirth will be a breeze."

"It won't happen again, Ruthie. You're my love, my queen, my soul mate. You are perfectly safe with me."

Curling up in his lap and wrapping my arms around my belly, I sigh just a little and peek up at him. I've never felt safer than I do with Valefar, even if he's a demon, and even if he was once Vlad the Impaler. He's none of those things to me. He's just the man I love.

***

Well, I hope you enjoyed this if you made it to the end! I know the start was quite graphic and obviously showed I planned on making this a weird, horror erotica, but Ruthie and Valefar had other plans for me. 

Every kingdom was going to have its own story. Clearly Wrath had one - actually I was about 6 chapters into IRA, which was the origin story of Valefar's baby sister, Queen Darra. Hers was the dark horror romance I'd truly wanted, but... couldn't figure out how to finish it! Maybe I will one day. Not sure.

I also hope you enjoyed the li'l easter eggs I put in, like how any human-turned demon is some famous sinner from history (or Christian Mythology in Cain's case). But now it's time for me to go back to my more established works. Suhl the bugman demands my attention, as does his damn deer girl Aine. And I always promise I have plans for Haakon and Gisela. A chapter's... part-way done? Not done enough for my liking...

I work as an account administrator in a heating oil company for my full time job. Winters get BANANAS and sometimes I'm at the office for 12+ hours a day. I'll write when I can, though, I promise!

As always, thank you all so much for your support! Keep readin', and keep writin'!

- Staz, AKA Ana B. Starr!