Four angels floated toward me, their shimmering light emanating love as they gifted me with their illuminating substance. I recognized the energy of the Creator. The distinct elements of Mercy, Samael and Lucifer’s forcefield filtered through, but I didn’t know the fourth angel. The closer they drew to me, the more pressure built at my core until my essence grew and burned brighter. Eventually, the heat fractured the essence of my being into a million pieces of burning ember, splintering into the darkness, yet I remained whole as I witnessed the explosion.
Particles of my soul rained down and fell at the feet of my angels in a heap. Their electricity intensified as they hovered over the shards of smoldering flecks and anguish filled me with a reflection of their sadness. The unknown angel took form, yet I couldn’t make out his features in the brightness of the glory in which he burned. His features didn’t matter, though. It was his burning that called to me.
He gathered up the largest piece of my soul from the seabed and held his hand out, thrusting it toward me. Stunned, I touched the object, and shockwaves pulsated through me. The Creator’s love blazed a trail into my heart, illuminating and burning away the misconceptions and hurt. Clarity flowed into me and gratitude for the gift of life enveloped me, and in this moment of truth I forgave Him.
But I remained steadfast in my right to exist as an equal and resisted the urge of His unspoken will to submit.
I turned my back to the Creator, and as the great conflagration ceased to surrounded me it pulled into itself, drawing the light away from me and leaving me afloat in the great void. The waters churned in turbulent disapproval as I succumbed to their judgment.
My body grew lighter, floating upward from the deep. My senses returned and distress permeated my thoughts. I fought to breathe, struggling to reach the open air above me. The urge to live coursed through me.
In the darkness, a thumping sound lulled my senses, drawing me toward it, and it was vaguely familiar. I knew this sound, had felt it call to me before—before I was born, and now as death approached, it called to me again. A vision of Lucifer flashed before me, and his brilliant blue eyes blended with the sky above the open waters as I floated closer to the surface. The call of his heartbeat rippled through me as it had once before. The vibration came from everywhere all at once, pounding in my ears. If only I could make my way back to him, but I feared it was too late as I gave myself to the waters and everything fell black.
Lucifer
I heard Lilith roar out to the Heavens and worried she’d do something rash. Staring at her lifeless body, my worst fears came true. I scooped her into my arms, and I wept for the loss of her life and our unfulfilled future. Unending turmoil ripped through my heart with cold hard blasts tearing it into tiny pieces. The weight of it all made me feel as if the Heavens had come crashing down upon me. Hot tears dripped from my eyes falling on Lilith’s face and chest. I cried out for Samael or Mercy to come to my aid because I didn’t know what to do and in my anguish I felt as if the agony would shatter me. She was mine. I’d made her. Created by me. And she was gone.
Screams raged in my belly and roared from my lips until I couldn’t scream anymore and collapsed my head against Lilith’s breasts. The faint scent of the sea lingered on her, and I breathed it in, squeezing my eyes shut. Numbness ran up my legs filling my body with a quiet still. Placing my ear on her chest, I listened for the sound of her heart as if my sheer will could make it beat again. My own raced furiously in me, urging me on to do something, but I didn’t know what.
Blinking back further tears, I kissed her chest and up her neck and low wails flowed from me. Her lips were dry and cracked, yet I yearned to kiss them. The cold of her mouth sent shockwaves through me against the warmth of my own and, I pressed my lips against her cheek until stillness washed over me.
Remember who you are.
Drawing in a deep breath, I summoned all of my will and kissed her again breathing my lifeforce into her body, beckoning her to rise. Nothing happened. I dropped her to the sandy surface as white hot fury bubbled in me and burned my throat. I balled up my fists and beat them in the sand until my knuckles were raw and bleeding.
“I know who I am!” I shouted to the Heavens and snatched her up in my arms, her head falling back, limp. I cradled her close to me and whispered in her ear, “Rise.” I begged her with every last hope I held in my heart and sucked in a deep breath. I know who I am!
Pressing my lips hard against hers I gave her the Kiss of Life again, but this time I forced my will from the bottom of my toes coiling the energy upward, spiraling it through me and out of my mouth into hers.
“Rise!” I shouted and shook her hard.
She sputtered and coughed as the Living Waters poured from her mouth. I lurched her body forward, pounding hard on her back to expel the dark liquid from her lungs. Disoriented she gazed at me with half hooded eyes as if she didn’t understand what had happened. Overcome with joy, I plucked her up and spun her around in my arms, but she barely responded.
Scooping her higher up against my chest, I ran to the home I’d made many days before and laid her on the bed. I wrapped my body around hers to bring warmth back to her blood. She fell into a deep sleep, and I allowed her to rest since her breathing appeared steady. Resting my head on her chest I listened to the thump of her heart, once again beating strong inside her, and felt gratitude for the power that lived inside me to restore her life. Slowly, the cold subsided, and I roused Lilith from her sleep.
Kissing her lips softly, I felt a peace unlike any other. “Welcome back to the world of the living,” I teased, making light of her ordeal, and mine, too. I’d never known such fear.
“Lucifer,” she said, her voice weak and shaky.
She wrapped her arms around my neck and kissed my lips softly. Bursts of pleasure shivered through me in waves of pure bliss. Her hands ran down the length of my arms to my fingertips, sending chills racing behind her touch. She hesitated, hovering at my stomach, but I allowed her touch to burn through my body and draped her hand on the muscles running in a ladder up my stomach. She raked her nails over my skin and swirled lingering circles around my nipples, sending me over the edge of bliss to tumble into unrelenting passion.
“Rest,” I whispered. “We have much to talk about when you are stronger.”
She looked as if she wanted to say more, but I silenced her with my lips grazing over hers and making soft sounds to lull her into sleep again. My Lilith had returned to me despite my Father’s wishes, and I feared He’d do something to snatch her from me once more.
I shoved the thought out of my mind and let her sleep peacefully, keeping my body tightly next to hers. My eyes grew heavy as I reflected on my own terrible ordeal and my body recognized the loss of its own energy. But I couldn’t wait for Lilith to regain her strength so I could love her the way I should have our last night in the cave.
Regret played through my mind while I’d sat here alone thinking of her. This time things would be different because I’d no longer run from my burning need for her touch.
Commotion outside roused me from my sleep, and I bolted straight up from the bed. My breathing quickened and my vision faltered until my eyes adjusted, ready to fight. Jumping to my feet, I plowed my way outside ready to face whatever the Creator may have sent to thwart my plans of love with Lilith. To my utter delight, Mercy and Samael rushed to my side. Fear and worry melted into relieved smiles on their faces as they scurried to embrace me. I fell into their arms, utterly elated to see my allies. But elation quickly turned to the depths of despair.
“What are...what are you doing here?” I stammered. “You must go back.” I frowned, trying to soften the order. “The consequences will be too much for you to endure if you stay,” I warned.
“I am willing to stay here for you, my brother, that we may find Lilith again.” Samael dropped to one knee and bowed his head in acknowledgement of our kinship.
“You don’t know what you’re saying, I fear.” My mind reeled as Samael bowed before me
in his show of solidarity.
“And you, my beautiful Mercy.” I searched her eyes for a hint of doubt. “Where do you stand?”
She clasped my hand, drew it to her lips, and kissed it in her age old gesture of affection. “With you, always.”
“I can’t allow this you must go home.” The sternness in my voice softened, “He will strip you of your wings, and even if you can endure such humiliation and defect, Lilith will be riddled with guilt and shame.” I drew back from them. “If you stay, it’s an act of utter selfishness. You must go at once.” I ordered, but neither of them moved.
“I am the great warrior of the Heavens, and I have come to stand at the right hand side of my brother, no matter what the consequence. We stand with you, Lucifer—and with Lilith.” Samael’s eyes were solid with conviction. “If He takes our wings, so be it. We’re here in our new home.” He stood at my right side and folded his arms across his broad chest. “We’ve made our choice. Now let’s not waste any more time. We must find Lilith.”
“She’s what’s important. Samael is right we must stop worrying of our fate and find her,” Mercy agreed, her auburn hair shining as it tumbled down her back.
Without warning, their wings disappeared from their backs, leaving small lumps behind. Mercy gasped a sharp intake of breath but quickly regained her composure.
“Be strong,” I said, brushing my fingers over her hair and drawing her into a tight embrace.
She nodded her head, and I hugged her tightly.
“Don’t worry,” Samael said, “He’s taken our wings and banished us here. The same thing He did to Lucifer. I believe we’re free now. And if Lucifer has lived on… no, thrived, despite losing his wings, then so shall we.”
The three of us clasped hands, and a sly smile drew across my face as a small laugh escaped my lips.
“I know that look,” Samael said and winked at me, yet I still saw the loss in his eyes.
“Lucifer…” Mercy said and pursed her lips. She narrowed her eyes and tilted her head and shook it slightly. “What have you done now?” she teased.
“I have a surprise for you.” I clasped my hands together in front of me. “Really, a gift. A grand gift, indeed.” A wicked laugh full of excitement emerged from my mouth.
“Come, let me show you my new home, and behold the most beautiful present you will ever see.”
Samael gasped and drew back from the entrance to my new cave, stumbling into the wall as he searched for stability. I smiled a broad smile as happiness danced through my heart at having Lilith and Samael and Mercy here. But the look on his face, the sheer joy and happiness I’d given to my brother, filled me with pride and joy. Then Lilith’s sleeping form came into Mercy’s view, and she took two steps back and clutched her heart. Tears welled in her eyes as she bowed her head to me in reverence.
Samael walked with purposeful strides toward Lilith then stopped abruptly and turned back to search my eyes. His neck and cheeks flushed red, and softness and love emanated from him toward me.
“My brother,” he said and when he failed to find the rest of the words, he lowered his eyes.
“Come lie with me and our woman.” He knew my jealous nature well, and at my words of union he hugged me tight and laughed and slapped my back in a playful show of gratitude at my acceptance.
“Thank you,” he said and kissed my hand.
Mercy blushed and shook her head.
“You’re welcome, too.” I brushed my hand across her cheek.
She smiled wide and grasped my hand, pouring all of her quiet desperation and need into the touch. “Between the two of you, she’ll never leave the bed,” she teased. “Someone has to feed her. Has she eaten?” she asked as Samael and I approached Lilith. I shook my head no and slipped next to Lilith on her left side as Samael edged alongside her on the right.
“Then I’ll get her some food before the two of you drain her of her last drops of energy,” she chided and shook her head in a playful warning.
Samael and I both smiled and laughed quietly, enveloping Lilith in the heat of our bodies. She stirred slightly, and I pressed into her body harder, Samael stroked her hair as I ran my fingers down the length of her arm and back up again. I nestled my nose into her hair close to her ear and whispered her name. She roused and Samael kissed her face softly as I kissed her neck brushing my lips side to side over her skin. Her skin burned under my touch, and I knew even as she slept, the flames of passion kindled in her soul.
“Samael?” She shook her head. “Samael!” She jolted upright in the bed and grasped his head, drawing it to her, and kissed him hard. “I thought I’d never see you again,” she said, peppering him with kisses. The tone of her voice played sweet music in my ears. The longing I felt when separated from her weakened me, but now my body felt rejuvenated.
“Mercy?” She reached behind her in a playful manner lightly brushing her fingers over my face and abruptly stopped. Samael looked over and we both laughed. “Lucifer!” She bolted upright again and twisted her body around. Leaning down into my chest, she tilted her head and smiled so wide I thought my heart would burst. I let out a hard howl of a laugh from deep within my belly.
“Yes, indeed.” I said placing my hands on either side of her head to draw her to me. She readily climbed on top of me and sprinkled light kisses on my face as I laughed. Samael turned on his side, faced us, and ran his fingers up and down her back. She leaned toward Samael and he lifted up on his elbow to meet her kiss. I grabbed a fistful of her hair and lightly guided her mouth back to mine. We switched off kissing her as both of us were hungry for her affection.
“Let me feed the poor girl before the two of you devour her,” Mercy teased, holding a basket of fruits.
Grudgingly, Samael and I let her out of our bed, and she ran into Mercy’s arms.
We settled into a routine of happy bliss, each of us caring for Lilith, and she showered us with love in return. Every night, I slept on her left side holding her close while Samael and Mercy took turns holding her on the right. Mercy and Lilith loved to sneak off into the wildflowers and dance, and their singing always warmed my heart. But it was night, when the Darkness returned, that I enjoyed the most.
We sat around the roaring fire entertaining Lilith with stories of the Heavens and the great battles we’d fought. Mercy would sit and braid Lilith's hair in complex patterns and by nightfall the curls and waves bounced with us in bed. Samael and Mercy went to sleep early, and Lilith sat below me between my legs as I lounged, perched on a rock. I rubbed her shoulders and hair as we talked.
“I’ve given you some time to feel safe and whole again,” I said, unbraiding her hair. “But you must tell me what happened to you in the Pool of Life,” I prodded.
She remained silent, her face perfectly serene.
“What happened?” I said again.
“I saw many wondrous things. I don’t know if I could explain them correctly even if I remembered it all,” she admitted and sighed.
“But you remember some things...yes?” I continued releasing the braid from her hair.”
“I know nothing exists without the Creator, and He is a great burning fire that made all of my beloved angels from the burning essence within Him.” She patted my hand.
“And?” I said. “Tell me more.”
“It was strange. I saw myself—my soul, I guess—break apart, and I recognized your’s, Samael’s, and Mercy’s energy, but there was another angel there, too.”
My hands shook slightly as I fluffed her hair. “Go on.”
“The unknown angel took form, but I couldn’t see him because he burned too bright.”
My heart raced, and I took a deep breath to delay my response.
“But I wanted him to. Something about him called to me. He held out a piece of my soul to touch, giving me revelations.” She shrugged.
My eyebrows shot up, and I sucked in another breath and held it.
“That’s all. Do you know what it means?” She twisted to look at m
e, searching my eyes.
A cool breeze ran a chill up my spine, or maybe it was her words. I didn’t know—I couldn’t tell.
“It means you were under a lot of stress while you were drowning and had vivid dreams,” I said, rubbing her cheek, “Now, off to bed you go. I’m going to collect some wood and keep the fire going.” I leaned forward and kissed her cheek. “I’ll be inside soon.”
“Hurry though. I miss you when you aren’t next to me to keep me warm.” She giggled.
“Tomorrow, we’ll venture off and look for a new home—a bigger one— so we can all be comfortable,” I said. “Would you like that, Lilith?” I lowered my gaze to avoid looking into hers.
“Yes!” she squealed and planted a kiss on my cheek.
“Very well, then. Go, get your rest. We have a long journey tomorrow to explore our new world.”
I paced back and forth in front of the fire before heading into the woods to walk off some of my nervous energy. Tomorrow, we’d move, roaming deeper into our new world. For if Lilith’s visions were accurate, the Angel of Fire was on his way, and he wouldn’t be alone. Yes, Michael was on the way, I felt it in my bones, and he was coming to mete out scorching retribution.
And take Lilith with him. .
The End
Coming soon:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MDLPBRS
Hearts of Fire, Heavenly Harem Book Two
A Reverse Harem Paranormal Romance Fantasy
Born of Fire to please Adam, Lilith is not satisfied with one man, especially one telling her what to do and what to think.
Now free with her lovers, Lucifer the shifter, Archangel Samuel the Original Reaper, and Mercy the Bringer of Light, she’s living in peace.
Born of Fire Page 14