by Sarah Bailey
“Are you really in love with this person?”
“Yes, Dad.”
What’s the use of lying to him?
He frowned, looking her up and down with concern on his face.
“There’s something different about you.”
“What do you mean?”
Nothing had changed as far as she was aware.
“Why do I sense an otherworldly power on you?”
Now he’s just being weird. We’re already otherworldly as it is being witches.
“Dad, you’re not making any sense.”
He put his hands on her biceps, looking her up and down.
“Did someone heal you? What happened? Did you get hurt?”
She stiffened. Her father had always been sensitive to other magic, but this was different.
Can he sense Lucifer’s divine power?
How would he know she’d been healed last night? It had been a difficult evening. Being beaten up by two Dukes of Hell was the icing on the cake.
“Dad…”
His eyes roamed down her until he homed in on her leg. There was no time to stop him. He dropped to his knees and tugged up her trouser leg. His eyes grew wide.
“Who gave you this? Who marked you? Who?”
Fuck. I forgot about that.
She hadn’t even looked at it herself. She pulled away from him. Walking around him, she moved over to the sofa and sat down. When she pulled up her trouser leg again, her breath caught in her throat.
He’s right. It is beautiful.
She traced the line of one of the pairs of wings. Three sixes were wrapped around them in exquisite lettering. It fit Lucifer so well. His dual nature. The angel and the Devil. And now she had a piece of him with her. Even if she could never be with him, this would remind her of their time together. She wanted to cry, but her father’s voice brought her back to the present.
“Tell me right now. Who marked you?”
“Who do you think?”
“Is this what happened in Hell? Who did you meet?”
Exhaustion set into her bones. She felt like she’d been fighting for months. Fighting against her attraction to the Devil. Fighting to keep her feelings hidden. Fighting against her duty. All of it had worn her down.
“Lucifer,” she whispered.
What’s the point in keeping it from him? I’m tired of secrets. I’m tired of everything.
“What? Why on earth would he mark you?”
“Put two and two together, Dad. Who do you think kept me safe when I was there?”
She looked up at her father. His eyes were wide with realisation. She stifled the urge to sigh. All she wanted right then was to run back to Hell and beg him to keep her from this. Even if she still felt awkward after her confession.
He’d protect me. I know he would.
“You… Why… You’re in love with him. The Devil.”
There we go. Wasn’t that hard, was it?
“He’s not some evil entity. He’s still an angel. I’d appreciate it if you didn’t lose your shit with me right now. All of this sucks enough as it is.”
He walked over slowly and sat beside her, putting his hand on her shoulder.
“Will you tell me what happened in Hell now?”
“What can I say? I tried not to feel things for him because of my impending wedding. I tried, but he is just everything I never knew I wanted or needed. It hurts so much, Dad. I don’t want to marry Theodus. The thought of anyone else but Lucifer being close to me tears me up inside. I don’t know how else to explain it. I love him for all that he is.”
Two hot, wet tears fell down her cheeks.
“Come here.”
He tugged her into his arms, rubbing her back. She sobbed onto his shoulder. It had been a long time since she’d cried in front of her father. Everything caught up with her at once. The pain settled in her chest. The gut wrenching feeling that she’d never be happy without Lucifer.
“It’s okay, shh, just let it out.”
They stayed like that until her sobbing abated. She pulled away, wringing her hands.
I didn’t mean to get so emotional in front of him.
“I hate seeing you in so much pain, knowing I’m partly to blame for your misery. I know you think I’m disappointed in you, but that’s simply not the case. I pushed you as a child. I wanted you to reach your full potential. I have never been prouder of you and I’m sorry I ever made you feel otherwise.”
He took a clean handkerchief from his pocket. Turning her face towards him, he wiped away her tears. He’s proud of me? What? I don’t understand. Her entire life he’d been cold and aloof. What changed?
“I only want you to be happy. I love you so much. Can you forgive me?”
“Wait, you’re not mad?”
“Why would I be? You’re free to love who you choose.”
“I thought you’d be unhappy since you know, he’s an angel and the Devil and all the other crap associated with his name.”
He smiled at her, fondness in his expression.
“I promise to be a better father to you. If it means accepting that you want to be with Lucifer, then I can do that.”
This was not the sort of conversation she ever expected to have with her father.
“Dad, you know I can’t be with him. Not with my marriage to Theodus.”
“I need to tell you something.”
“What?”
“Your mother is just obsessed with that prophecy. I do not believe she is truly incapable of conceiving with another fae. I think she wants to believe it’s fate that I gave her a child of two worlds.”
Then I don’t need to provide her with an heir if she is capable.
The possibility of her not having to marry Theodus gave her a small sliver of hope.
“What if it’s not even related to the fae?”
“I think you are the girl in the prophecy, Candace. I just do not believe it relates to your mother and her need for an heir.”
He’d never told her he felt that way. She didn’t quite like the idea that she was part of some ridiculous prophecy because she didn’t believe in them. Yet, what her father said made sense.
“Then why haven’t you stopped her from forcing this on me?”
“I didn’t know you had other desires for your life. I want to help you be with the person you choose.”
“I don’t think I have a choice, Dad. Not now.”
He put a hand on her shoulder.
“There is always a choice. You’ll see. One way or another, we’ll resolve this.”
Chapter Twenty One
Candace paced the room, clenching and unclenching her fists. The conversation was getting them nowhere.
“Why do you not wish to come live with me?” Theodus asked, pale green eyes fixed on her.
She’d asked her father to bring her here. He was waiting outside the door, in case she needed him. This engagement was a sham and she wanted nothing more to do with it.
“Why? Why? This is merely a marriage of convenience or have you forgotten that already?”
“Is that what it is to you?”
“What else would it be? Do you think I want this? I never wanted to be married off. This is my mother’s doing.”
“Well, I’m sorry you feel that way, but this is what I want. I want you.”
She turned to him, stopping in her tracks.
He what? That’s not possible. We barely know anything about each other.
“You can’t have me.”
The words were out before she could stop them. She was Lucifer’s. Putting a hand to her mouth, she looked at Theodus in horror.
“This is about the man from last night, isn’t it?”
“No.”
“Who is he, Cadmi?”
She flinched at the use of her fae name. I never want to be called that again.
“No one.”
“Tell me the truth. I am to be your husband. If you wish to be with someone else, then we need to come t
o an agreement over it.”
It took a full minute for her to wrap her head around what he’d just said.
“Are you telling me you would allow me to warm another man’s bed whilst married to you?”
She hadn’t meant it to come out like that, but it was what he insinuated.
“Do we have to discuss it in such distasteful terms? I am merely telling you I do not expect you to remain faithful to me once we’ve had a child.”
I want a life with Lucifer not Theodus. I would give up everything for him.
The world dropped out from underneath her. It had played on her mind for quite some time. Whether or not she’d have the strength to tell her family no. Whether she’d turn her back on her life on Earth for a life with Lucifer in Hell.
All I want is him. Nothing else matters.
“What if I refuse to give you that?”
“Then I won’t allow you to see whoever it is you want rather than me.”
Her lip twitched, nails digging into her palms.
“Won’t allow me? You don’t rule my life. I am not someone you can just dictate terms to.”
His pale eyes regarded her with a neutral expression. If he thought she was going to submit to him, he was sorely mistaken. How could her mother think she wished to marry such a man? He was showing his true colours now. Even if she accepted his terms, Lucifer would never allow it. He wouldn’t share her.
“I can and I will.”
“You know what, fuck you. You can tell my mother I’m done. Done with you, her and her entire court.”
Who the hell does he think he is? How can my mother think this man is a suitable match for me?
She was so angry, she could barely contain her fury. It was time to leave. She could see this would never get them anywhere. She didn’t get a chance to step towards the door. Theodus descended on her, grabbing her arm and pulling her to him.
“You think we’re done? We’re not even anywhere close to being done,” he said.
His mouth crashed against hers. Bile and revulsion rose in her stomach. His lips weren’t soft like Lucifer’s. She was too shocked to push him away.
Pain radiated from the mark on her ankle. It tore up her leg. Her skin was burning, on fire. Pink smoke flared out of her hands, slamming into Theodus’ chest and pushing him ten feet away from her. She panted, the pain in her leg almost crippling her.
What the fuck? Why does it hurt? What did Lucifer do to me?
“Don’t fucking touch me!”
Putting one foot in front of the other, she limped from the room, throwing the door open and slamming it shut behind her. Gallian stood up from the chaise lounge in the hallway, his eyes full of concern. She threw herself down onto his recently vacated seat, pulling up her trouser leg. The mark was no longer black. The lines were bright red and angry. Like he’d burnt her skin with a branding iron.
“What happened?” Gallian asked.
“Theodus is a piece of shit, that’s what happened.”
He sat down next to her, waving a hand over the mark. White smoke poured from his fingers, soothing away the pain. The mark was still red and raw, but she couldn’t feel it any longer.
“Dad, I need you to take me to Hyde Park.”
“We need to talk about why that happened.”
He pointed at the mark.
“There is only one person I’m going to get answers from about it. Take me to Hyde Park.”
Her father sighed before standing and waving his hand again. More smoke poured from his fingertips and the next moment, a purple light shimmered before them. She stood, taking his hand and stepping through the portal. They landed in a secluded area of the park.
“Candace… What did Theodus do?” he asked, putting a hand on her arm to stop her from leaving.
“He suggested after I give him a child, I could go off and be with someone else whilst still remaining married to him. When I told him no, he tried to dictate crap to me, and you know no one tells me what to do. I told him I was done and he kissed me.”
Except that’s not strictly true. Lucifer tells me what to do in the bedroom and I like it. Fuck do I like it when he takes control. When he punishes me for disobedience. I need it. All of it.
“Did the mark start to burn when he kissed you?”
“Yes.”
The realisation dawned on her. Lucifer’s mark meant more than just him claiming her. He owned her and if anyone else touched her, she’d suffer for it. A part of her was furious, but the other side understood and accepted it. A strange sense of calm descended over her.
“I have to go now, Dad. I’ll phone you later. I promise.”
He released her arm, letting her walk away. It didn’t take her long to find Lucifer’s portal to Hell. She’d memorised the location when he brought her home this morning. He’d told her how to activate it. She muttered the words and a purple light shimmered in front of her the next instant. She walked through and out into the corridor. Mall was just coming out of her office.
“Oh, hello again,” she said.
“Where is he?” Candace asked.
“In the throne room.”
“Is he alone?”
“Yes… What’s wrong?”
Candace shook her head, striding towards the throne room. There was no time to explain to Mall nor did she want to. This was between her and Lucifer alone.
“Don’t let anyone disturb us.”
She didn’t wait for Mall to respond. She threw the door open. Lucifer sat on his throne, his chin propped up on his hand whilst he looked down at his tablet. His gaze flicked up to her, eyes widening a little. The door slammed shut behind her. She walked over to him, up the stairs before she knelt at his feet, her head bowed and her hands folded in her lap.
“Candace, what are you doing?”
“I need to be punished.”
“What?”
“You need to punish me.”
“Get off the floor and look at me. What are you talking about?”
There was no going back from this now. She’d known the minute she realised what Lucifer’s mark signified.
“No. I am yours. I was reminded of that very fact today when Theodus kissed me because you claimed me. Marked me. Branded me as yours. I let someone else touch what’s yours. I have denied you, made you wait, made you suffer because I kept saying no. I’m asking you to do what you promised me that first night I asked you to stay with me. I want you to hurt me. To punish me because I deserve it.”
The silence permeated the air for several moments. He stood, stepping around her. His fingers trailed over her shoulder before he stopped behind her. The atmosphere between them changed in an instant. Lucifer wouldn’t hold back. Not when she’d offered herself to him willingly. It was always about consent between them. He needed her to submit to him.
“Get on all fours and place your hands on the throne, after which you will not move until I say so.”
She didn’t hesitate, crawling towards the throne and placing her hands on the seat, palms flat. She heard the click of his fingers. Her clothes were gone, leaving her bare before him. He trailed something up her back, around her neck until it rested on her cheek. She looked down at the end of the riding crop. Fuck. The thought of him using it on her made her blood pound in her ears.
“Did it hurt when he touched you?”
He removed the crop from her face, trailing it back down her spine. She shivered, the anticipation causing heat to pool between her thighs.
“It burnt.”
“Good.”
She felt the first slap across her behind. It stung, but she didn’t flinch away.
I asked him to punish me. I asked for all of this.
He quickly followed it up by several more, each one stinging as much as the last.
“Did you like that prince kissing you?”
Another strike. Her skin felt like it was on fire.
“No. I’ll never let him come near me again. Not after what he said.”
The crop trailed up her sex before she felt the sharp sting of it against her core. She whimpered, biting down on her lip. Pain radiated from all of the places he’d struck her.
“And what did he say?”
“He hinted if I was to give him a child, he’d turn a blind eye to me seeing other people.”
The crop ran down her inner thigh.
“Did you tell him about me?”
“No. He saw us together before we left, so he knows there’s someone else in my life.”
He nudged her legs further open with his foot. She wanted to look back at him. See his expression. He’d told her not to move and she’d obey.
“Who do you belong to?”
The crop ran along her behind. He struck again. A moan of pain and pleasure escaped her lips. Four more strikes radiated across her behind.
“You.”
The sharp intake of his breath echoed through the room. He struck her along her back, making her hiss.
More. I want more.
“Mmm, do you know how sexy you look right now? Perfectly pliant.”
The sound of something clattering on the floor followed by his fingers running across her heated skin made her whimper.
“Fuck, Candace. You make me so hard. You haunt my every moment with thoughts of hurting you, marring your perfect skin, fucking you and soothing all the pain away when I’m done.”
His dark desires called to her. She’d never known what she really needed. The man behind her was it. He leant down and kissed each mark. Every touch of his lips made her heart pound faster. Her core ached. She wanted him filling her. Fucking her with no mercy.
“Do you want me?” he whispered, his voice soft, seductive.
“Yes,” she whimpered.
“How much do you want me?”
His fingers trailed up her inner thighs.
“I can’t stand it. Every time you touch me, my skin feels like it’s on fire. I ache for you. Please, please, Lucifer, please.”
He stopped short of brushing against her sex. A whimper of frustration tore out of her mouth.
Holy fuck. I’ve never been so turned on and desperate for another person in my whole life.
“I want you to promise me something.”
Whatever it was, she’d agree. She’d do anything for him. Give up her life if it meant she could be by his side.