The Fallen Queen: (Gods & Monsters Book 2) (The Gods & Monsters Trilogy)

by Janie Marie

  The entire tent was focused on them now.

  “No, I doubt you did,” Lucifer mused. “Rumor has it, you could not wait to take her on.” He watched Lancelot’s startled gaze snap up to him. “You wanted to have some fun with her, isn’t that what he said, Thanatos?”

  “Yes, I believe he felt our king was distracted by our lovely queen,” Thanatos said, grinning. “We Fallen are so hard to trust these days, and we have so many difficult rules to follow.”

  “Yes, that is right,” Lucifer said, glaring at his creation. “You couldn’t wait to have a chance to fuck her, if I recall correctly. At least you are worth burning for an eternity, my queen. You were most definitely worth my long wait, but it seems young Lancelot does not appreciate my generosity or my patience in choosing such a beautiful queen.”

  “I did not mean to offend you, Lucifer.” Lancelot lowered his head. “Forgive me, my king. I was foolish to believe I could have any such contact with your queen. My doubt in your leadership was a moment of insanity. Forgive me.”

  “Ares?” Lucifer called, ignoring Lancelot’s pleas for forgiveness. “Your younger brother, Hermes, fought bravely against the immortal knights.”

  Ares nodded to him.

  “I understand his men fell into your ranks.”

  “Yes, Lucifer,” Ares said, not looking at Jane, who was now seeming to pulse with power none of them had ever felt before.

  “I believe Jane was quite taken with his sacrifice, as was I,” Lucifer said, stroking Jane’s hair. “Would you be so noble if your queen required your life to save her own?”

  “Yes, my king.” Ares bowed.

  “And you?” Lucifer asked, looking back at Lancelot.

  “Of course, my king.” Lancelot bowed lower, not looking up.

  “What do you think, Jane?” Lucifer kissed her fingers as he raised them to his lips.

  “I would rather die than drink their disgusting blood,” she said, her eyes only focused on Lancelot.

  Laughter filled the tent.

  “Hm.” Lucifer kissed her fingers again. “Lancelot, it appears my queen is unhappy with you. How will you apologize for your behavior?”

  “However you wish, Lucifer,” Lancelot replied.

  “My queen?” Lucifer kissed her cheek when she kept her fierce gaze trained on Lancelot. “I agree, his blood is foul. So, I suggest spilling it until you are satisfied. This is my gift, Jane,” he whispered, placing another kiss on her cheek. “Does it please you?”

  She finally looked away from Lancelot, snarling until she met Lucifer’s stare. “It does. Thank you.”

  The blazing inferno in her eyes excited him, and he rewarded her behavior and spirit with a long kiss before murmuring, “He is all yours, Jane.”

  “What?” Lancelot sputtered. “Is this a joke?”

  “Did you think I would forgive these insults?” Lucifer asked, leaning back in his chair. “Did you think I would leave her unsupervised? Or you?”

  “I did not know she would be your queen,” Lancelot argued. “She attacked us. She was in their ranks.”

  Lucifer shrugged. “I felt no need to inform you of my choice. You are merely a soldier in my command. I granted many gifts to you, and yet you could not even respect me after such generosity and so many years with me as your commander. I told you she was not to be harmed, and you had plans to fuck her, knowing I desired her.”

  “It was a mistake, Lucifer. It shall not happen again.”

  “No, it will not. My lovely queen is quite capable of leading your army all on her own, although I doubt she will want to be in the presence of your wretched beasts after they attacked and marked her beautiful skin.” Lucifer lifted Jane’s hand, placing a sweet kiss on her scar. “It is only fair that she returns the favor.”

  “Lucifer, I control your wolves,” Lancelot said, frowning.

  “Do you not find me capable of controlling them myself? I control you, after all. Plus, I always disliked your lack of respect for the woman’s body. Can you not find willing participants to satisfy your sexual appetite?”

  Jane hissed, standing this time, but Lucifer smiled and pulled her onto his lap. “I believe my queen finds your extra activities disgusting.”

  The items around the table started shaking, causing many gasps to fill the tent.

  “I will discontinue my habit,” Lancelot said when Jane growled.

  “No, you will be an example for those who question my leadership and choice in queen.”

  “Lucifer,” Lancelot said, but he ignored him.

  “Are you ready to enjoy my gift, Jane?” Lucifer asked, kissing her neck.

  “Yes.” She was shaking. “I’m going to kill him.”

  Asmodeus and Thanatos laughed together.

  “Let’s leave him breathing,” Lucifer said, chuckling.

  She glared at him, but he kissed her lips.

  “Are you pleased?” he asked, smiling against her mouth.

  “I am. He will pay for what he has done.” She searched his eyes for a few moments. “Thank you.”

  “Anything for you, my queen,” Lucifer said, capturing her lips once more.

  “Are you going to give him any rules, Lucifer?” Asmodeus asked, watching Jane glare at Lancelot as he retreated across the battlefield.

  “No, I want him to give her everything he’s got,” Lucifer said, grabbing Jane’s chin so she would look at him. “Isn’t that what you want?”

  “Yes,” she said, her eyes flashing bright, like golden flames.

  “Good girl,” he said, caressing her chilled cheek. He warmed his hand, not thinking too much when those eyes of hers softened. He wanted her unstable, and reminding her of David would do the trick. He heated his hand more, rubbing his thumb over her shivering lips. “She will be merciless with him.”

  “Are you not worried of him damaging her?” Thanatos asked, frowning as he watched Jane nuzzling Lucifer’s hand.

  “So worried for your queen’s safety, Than?” Lucifer pulled Jane close, warming his body temperature.

  “I merely thought some rules would be acceptable,” Thanatos said, glancing around the field where every legion at the camp was present.

  “I expect him to injure her,” Lucifer said, focusing on Jane when her eyes locked with his. “You are not entirely in control of your abilities, Jane.” He rubbed her cheek, showing her he was not entirely displeased by this. “Do not worry. You will have him to yourself until he injures you.”

  “I can take him,” she said quickly.

  “He is more skilled than you,” Lucifer said, hugging her closer. “You have grown into a strong fighter, but you are most impressive when you give over to her.”

  “I don’t want her out,” she said, biting her lip for a few seconds as she watched him carefully. “If you know what happened before, then you know what she did—what she said to him. She wants him.”

  Lucifer did know what had happened—it was part of the reason why this was taking place. “Do not worry about your darker half. She is drawn to power and darkness, and she was not being satisfied or controlled before—now she is.”

  Jane glanced at Thanatos and Asmodeus. “Do y’all know?”

  “That she wanted his dick inside her?” Lucifer responded before they could. “Yes, we know. Than and I were there.”

  She huffed, glaring at him a little but trying to control herself. “So you watched me almost die and did nothing? You let her do those awful things without interfering?”

  He gripped her chin tightly. “Do not question me in public. You are lucky I trust them.”

  She pressed her lips together for a moment. “Sorry. I’m just confused. If you already knew you wanted me, why let her do it? Why let Hermes kill himself so I wouldn’t die?”

  Holding her stare, he said, “Because it ruined a part of your soul, Jane.”

  Her eyes strained as she stared into his. When she teared up, she looked at Thanatos and Asmodeus. They stayed quiet, of course. Her face scrunched up,
and she dipped her head before the tears fell.

  Stroking her hair, he spoke softly, “Do not forget who I am, Jane. My goal was to acquire you, and I succeeded. Now, stop being dramatic and speaking to me as though I am a simple boyfriend. I am Lucifer, your king. And I’m telling you to let her guide you. If you wish to stay conscious longer, I will need you to perform the tasks she can easily carry out. You need to display all the power she has without becoming an emotional mess. This time you have no children or knights to protect. This is about you. Fight to stay alive and embrace the power inside you.”

  “What if she doesn’t let me come back?” She slowly looked up at him.

  “I can control her. You are a big girl, and I will give you the chance to stand up to her. I will not fight every battle you have with her—but you have my word, I will send her away once this match is over. Do we have an understanding? Or do I need her for the entire duration of this fight?”

  Her eyes narrowed on him. “We have an understanding.”

  “Good,” he said, ignoring the glare she still gave him. “Now, you will be in the dark for a moment while I speak to her.”

  “No,” she said, clutching his hand.

  He didn’t have time to deal with Jane’s fears. “Come, my little demon.”

  Hazel eyes were replaced by darkness in an instant.

  “Interesting,” Asmodeus said, coming to stand beside him.

  Thanatos watched her from where he stood, not saying anything as a wicked smile spread across Jane’s face.

  “Missed me?” Lucifer asked her.

  She scowled. “I should have never been put in the dark.”

  Her enchanting voice annoyed him, and he nearly pushed her away when she touched his chest.

  She inhaled his scent. “You smell of her, and she of you. What did you do with her? I cannot see her mind when you lock me away.”

  “That would imply I have no desire to include you in my relationship with her,” Lucifer said, smirking when she moved back. “What did you think would happen? You were brought forward when she was on me—naked. I sent you away while your mouth was still around my cock. How would that end?”

  “She’s a pathetic, weeping girl,” she said, snarling. “Why would you prefer her? She’s satisfied, but I have no ache as I did when the prince fucked her.”

  Lucifer snatched her chin, preventing her from laughing like she was about to. “You’re right—I didn’t quite fuck her, but she was the one who made me climax. Twice. I could barely stay erect looking into your eyes. So, do not go assuming because I have not had intercourse that we did not enjoy each other. I know you feel the same tingle between your legs that she has for the past few hours.”

  “Do you care for her? Is that why you are holding back?” She laughed. “I will finish what I have started, and you will both suffer.”

  He tightened his hold. “Do not threaten me or my queen.”

  “I am your queen.” She tried to free herself, but she was stuck. Still, she glared at him. “She should not be here! Her entire family and lover should be dead. They should be rotting right along with her. You should be satisfying me, not her.”

  “At least she prefers the most powerful males in her presence and not a fucking dog.”

  Her face flushed red with fury. “You’re jealous!”

  He laughed along with his men. “What is there to be jealous of? I have a queen who is far more talented with her mouth than you. Even speaking with her is more enjoyable than any encounter we have shared. I think I will spend more time with her.”

  “You can’t be serious,” she said, glaring at all three of them.

  “I am serious. I admit, she is fragile and emotional, but she did not break completely. That sweet girl is still fighting. Albeit weakly, but she is still there. As for preventing you from slaying her loved ones, all you need to know is I made a deal with her, and I intend to honor it. You are not to harm them unless I say otherwise.”

  “You can’t stop me!” She hissed at him but looked away when he stared her down.

  “I own you,” he said, his voice low. “This is why you are in the dark, and why I prefer her company. She talks back, but she has every reason to fight me. You, however, were created to serve. Remember that and who you call master. Perhaps, if you do not disappoint me, I will invite you into my bed. Upset me, and I will give her everything her beautiful heart desires while you watch from the prison she had you trapped in before. Understood?”

  She clenched her fist. “Yes, Master.”

  “Good. Now, I want you to help her”—he pointed across the field to Lancelot—“with him.”

  She looked around, quickly taking in the field. “The werewolf leader?” Her eyes widened in fear. “You are punishing me?”

  “And I worried you were ignorant,” he said, turning her head back to face him. “This is your punishment along with his. It happens to be a gift to my queen as well. You will see that she gets whatever she wants with him, and you will remember this before you open your filthy mouth again. I will not have a whore for a queen!”

  Her power pulsed, giving off a dark blue glow around the sound barrier he had created. “I just needed to be fucked—he was there! You could have come anytime.”

  “I was there. I saw and heard what happened between you and that mutt,” he said, squeezing her chin. “You disgust me. I might as well fuck a rabid dog. I would pick from Lancelot’s harem if I wanted his fucking seconds.” He shook his head. “Jane has more than one male after her, and she has controlled her urges. You are a disgrace compared to her.”

  “I am not going to help her,” she said, surprising and angering him. “He can shred her for all I care. I will stop her from healing just so she suffers. Maybe then she’ll break for good, and you will remember who is worth spending time with.”

  Squeezing her jaw until it cracked, he lifted her until she was standing on her toes. “You will do as you are told. Argue with me again, and you will be the one who suffers. Let her suffer, and I will suppress your powers and lock you in that cage I released you from. Now move to her side. You will watch how I treat her compared to you.” He growled, seeing she wanted to lash out at him, but she knew she was outmatched. “Jane, my queen?” He smirked at the way her demon hissed but withdrew to merely observe. Jane’s hazel eyes flickered into view, but they constantly swirled with black as her demon circled her mind. “Ah, there you are.”

  “You’re hurting me,” she said, whimpering.

  Loosening his hold, he cooled his hand to relieve her pain as her abilities repaired her jaw. “There. Is that better?”

  She held her face, glaring at him.

  He kissed her forehead, whispering, “Forgive me, my queen. She is not you, and she brings out a side of me I do not wish you to see.”

  “My jaw is broken,” she mumbled, wincing when a loud pop sounded. “Ow, fuck!”

  Asmodeus chuckled, handing him a cup of blood.

  “Drink, Jane,” Lucifer said, lifting the glass to her lips.

  She quickly chugged it, gagging as she rubbed her bruised skin. “Maybe leave me in the dark if you’re going to hurt her. It’s not fair.”

  “Do you not feel her?” he asked, watching her eyes widen. “Yes, she is still with you. She will be your backup. Let her assist or guide you if you are struggling. I want you to make an impression. This is your army—they want to see how powerful their queen is.”

  She scanned the thousands still gathering. “Isn’t she the one you should be showing off, then?”

  He cupped her cheeks. “I said their queen, Jane. You are my queen. She, on the other hand, is simply my weapon.”

  She didn’t break eye contact with him. “If you think I am touched by that load of shit, you are dumber than I thought.”

  Thanatos threw his head back, laughing as Asmodeus chuckled.

  Lucifer, however, didn’t look away from her. He watched that gold flame pulse before he leaned down and kissed her lips. “There’s my qu
een.” When Lucifer pulled back, he took the sword Thanatos held out and turned back to Jane. “Don’t try to kill us; you will fail.”

  She grabbed the sword with an overly sweet smile. “And I thought this was supposed to be a gift. You never get me what I want these days. I’m starting to think you don’t love me, Luc.”

  “Her sass is amusing. I see why you prefer this one,” Asmodeus said, bowing to Jane. “Enjoy your fight, my queen.”

  Lucifer watched her curtsy to Asmodeus, and she actually smiled when the King of Demons kissed her hand.

  Then, as if someone flipped a switch, she straightened her back and swung her sword a few times, testing the way it felt. “This will work,” she said to no one before walking to meet Lancelot in the middle of the field.

  “Are you worried?” Asmodeus asked, coming to stand beside him.

  Lucifer stayed quiet, watching a fierce smile spread over her lips when Lancelot mock bowed to her.

  “She called you Luc,” Thanatos said, chuckling as Jane raised her arms to the crowd, eliciting cheers from some.

  “I heard her,” Lucifer responded to Thanatos. “She must have heard Death say it before.”

  “Yes, that must be it,” Thanatos said, crossing his arms. “So, are you worried?”

  “No, she’s got a lot of fight left in her. If that bitch decides to fuck with her, I will step in.”

  “I would say our king is smitten with his sweet queen,” Asmodeus said, laughing. “She is quite entertaining. I can see why you would let her stay.”

  Lucifer ignored his comments, focusing all his attention on Jane and Lancelot.

  “You brought this on us, you bitch,” Lancelot said, pointing his finger in her face. “How long have you been fucking him?”

  “He never learns.” Asmodeus shook his head.

  Jane made a lifting motion with one hand as she pointed her finger back at Lancelot, her mouth moving quickly as she spewed words none of them could hear.

  “Did she block us?” Thanatos asked.

  “I believe she did,” Lucifer said, almost smiling. “She is ashamed of herself for what happened between them.”

  Lancelot’s lips moved just as angrily as he stepped closer to her. He was clearly pissed, but Lucifer knew Jane was arousing the werewolf.