The Fall For Love

Chapter 13: The Last Time

Unbeknownst to him, Lucifer's cry was heard in Heaven.

*

Uriel stood by The Father's throne with tears in his eyes.

"Father, is there nothing we can do?"

"I am afraid not my son, he must learn through his suffering." The Father said quietly, his own eyes filled with tears. "It is up to him now."

*

Lucifer found himself stood by the apple tree with an axe in his hands. He would stop this here and now. He would never have to see Lilith die again. He would forget about her and get on with his own life. 

Pausing with the axe lifted, he knew he was lying to himself, the thought of never seeing Lilith again was almost too much to bear. That's when he felt the first powerful pull from the tree. He hesitated for a moment, before dropping the axe. 

As if he had no control of his own body, he felt his feet move towards the tree. He could not resist that pull, the pull to her.

*

                                                                                         France 1794

"Are you almost ready my darling? We cannot keep her majesty waiting!" Duke Jean Louis called upstairs to his wife. He stood in the spacious hallway of their Paris residence. After a moment his wife, Henriette Anne appeared at the top of the stairs, wearing a magnificently large emerald green ballgown. The skirts trimmed in the finest lace. 

"Will I do?" She asked, twirling around in the dress.

"Beautiful as ever, my darling." He held out his arm, "shall we?"

She smiled and descended the staircase and they both stepped out into the waiting carriage.

They had been invited to Marie Antoinette's annual lavish ball. The queen was one of their closest friends and lived at the very pinnacle of French society. Jean Louis was a duke of the highest regard in France and Henriette was his equal in almost every way. It had been an arranged marriage, but it was a happy marriage. 

Henriette turned to her husband in the moving coach. "I am concerned about the ball this year my love."

"You have nothing to be concerned about my darling, you look ravishing. You will be the envy of the entire ball."

"I am not worried about my outfit Jean! There have been whispers about the lower classes revolting against the queen. I am worried that this may not be the best timing for a ball."

"Oh pish, it is all nonsense." said Jean in a patronizing tone as he patted her hand. "Now, let us enjoy ourselves." 

The carriage made its way towards the grand palace. Henriette smiled at her husband but she could not shake the feeling that something terrible would happen tonight. Unfortunately being the Duchess and wife of a duke, she had little choice in attending such events.

Eventually, the carriage pulled up to the palace and they alighted, walking towards the large double doors of the ballroom.

"The Count and Duke of Ayden, Jean Louis François de Noailles and his wife, The Duchess of Noailles, Henriette Anne Louise d'Aguesseau!" announced the palace speaker. They walked through the doors into the opulent ballroom.  

After making their way through the room and saying hello to many familiar faces, they encountered the woman herself, Marie Antoinette.

"Oh my darlings, you came!" She exclaimed, already tipsy. "Why do you not have a drink?! Champagne please!" She clicked her fingers and a harried looking gentleman carrying a tray of champagne flutes materialised. Jean and Henriette took a glass each.