by Dahlia Lu
“Are you hurt?”
Arvin shook his head. “No,” he bent over and kissed the boy’s forehead. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, little prince.”
When he lets go of the boy, Arvin didn't have the strength to stand up. If he were a low ranking demon, he would have been long dead. Acelin used his magic to help support him.
“You are ruthless,” Acelin accused.
“Can you blame me?” Arvin softly laughed.
†††††
There were cherry blossoms trees along the road. So it is spring, Acelin told himself as he walked down the paved pathway. There were so many fallen petals that it was difficult to see the road ahead. The soft fragrance danced around him. He reached out his hand to catch the fallen petals. How long had it been since he left this place? He wondered.
A young girl accidentally bumped into him and dropped the grocery bag she held in her hand. She kept apologizing as she stooped down to pick up her things. Acelin bent down to help her gather the scattered fruit.
“Thank you so much,” the girl said sincerely. When she had collected all the items, she lifted her head and stood up.
Acelin stared at her. His heart skipped a beat and his chest suddenly felt painful. He brought his hand to his chest, squeezing it tightly. What is this pain? What is this uncomfortable feeling?
She smiled and then turned away. What a gentle smile, Acelin thought. He caught her other hand, making her look back.
“What is your name?” he asked.
“Kali. My name is Kali,” she answered. He slowly let go of her hand and allowed her to leave.
†††††
“Acelin, you’re awfully distracted,” Arvin pointed out. “What is on your mind?”
Her smile. She had a very pretty smile. Acelin shook his head. “Nothing”
“I have decided, Acelin. I will get rid of that woman.” Arvin stated.
“Arvin, what is so wrong about loving a human?” Acelin asked.
“Everything!” Arvin snapped. “We are arc- I mean demons! Are you telling me to bow my head down to a lowly human?”
“He never asked us to bow down to her,” Acelin said. Her smile kept haunting him.
“Isn’t it obvious enough?” Arvin noticed something strange about Acelin. “Why are you defending Lucifer’s woman?”
“I am not defending her. I had never met her and neither have you. Why are you so quick to judge her just because she’s a human?”
“It’s not just that, and you know it!” Arvin braced his hands on the desk and leaned forward. “If she were just some mere toy I would have let him have his fun, but he fed her his blood! Isn’t that a clear declaration that she is more important than us?”
“Lucifer must have had his reasons for doing what he did,” Acelin sighed. “The other demons must be hiding something from us. If feeding her his blood is the problem, I don’t see why you should keep on degrading his bride.”
“Did you fall in love with a human girl, Acelin?” Arvin asked, suspicious with Acelin’s strange defense.
Acelin didn’t reply.
Arvin shook his head. “Those sirens! First Lord Lucifer, and now you! Human females are truly shameless.”
Lucifer stepped out from the shadows.
Arvin and Acelin were obliged to kneel to him.
“Lord Lucifer,” the two demon lords bowed their heads civilly.
“You two weren’t supposed to be awakened for at least another several hundred years,” Lucifer said.
“There is no time for slumber,” Arvin said. “We received disturbing news.”
“About my bride?” Lucifer asked.
“She is a human girl.”
“I am well aware of that,” Lucifer eyed him. “What point do you wish to make by stating the obvious?”
“She is a human,” Arvin said. “You fed her your blood. What more can I say?”
“Whatever plan you two are plotting, I suggest you abandon it. If you wish to harm a hair on her head, I would not hesitate to make you my enemies.”
Arvin looked disappointed. “So it is true. You killed Soren for that woman.”
“I did,” Lucifer admitted. “And I will do it again if the situation calls for it.”
“How could you, Lucifer?” Arvin asked in a soft voice. “We are brothers. We share a bond stronger than anything in existence. I will not let a woman split us up. I will not!”
“She has done nothing wrong,” Lucifer said. He lowered his eyes. “Soren did not understand me. Soren tried to take away the woman I love. Would you two follow his example and turn against me?”
“Never!” Arvin shouted. “We would never turn against you! That woman is making you turn your back on us.”
“Have I, Arvin?” Lucifer asked. He stepped forward and embraced Arvin. “Have I, brother? She is my purpose. Why do you want to take her from me?”
“I…”
“Don’t do it, Arvin,” Lucifer pleaded. “I already lost Soren. I do not want to lose the two of you, too.”
He released Arvin and turned to face Acelin. “You were always the wise one,” he said softly. “I don’t think it is necessary for me to tell you what you should and should not do.”
“I have one question to ask,” Acelin said.
“What is it?”
“Why did you love her?”
Lucifer recalled the moment when he realized he fell in love. He smiled. “She was the first person who cried for me.”
Chapter 23: Early Blossoms This Year
Acelin kept watch on her for a distance. She was sitting on a swing, moving back and forth. There was a young man sitting next to her on another swing. He had black hair and a pair of golden eyes. Acelin picked up a faint smell of demon on him. There was no doubt that he was one. There was also a strong protection spell around her, probably one made by that demon.
She was smiling, like before. What a pretty smile. It was so pure and captivating. His heart was starting to ache again. It was the same feeling as last time.
“Remember we used to come here when we were little?” Kali asked.
Chevalier nodded. “Yes, such distant memories.”
“It’s not so distant,” Kali said.
“Maybe not…”
Kali remained quiet for a little while. “Chevalier?”
“Yeah?”
“Can you promise me something?”
He turned to face her. “Yeah, anything.”
She looked down. “If, and I mean if, I’m not able to…”
“Kali?” Chevalier noticed Kali was acting strange.
“Chevalier, if something happened to me, would you please take care of Trent?” Kali asked softly.
Chevalier blinked, confused. “Kali, did something happen? You sound like you’re making a living will.”
She shook her head. “It’s nothing. I’ve just been having bad dreams lately. I couldn’t tell Lucifer because he might say that I’m overreacting. I love him, I really do. It’s just that he’s not the type of person I can talk to.”
“If you love him, you should be able to talk to him.” Chevalier said. It took a lot out of him.
“I should, shouldn’t I?” Kali said sadly. “Chevalier, in my dreams, I kept seeing Trent crying. He’s calling out for me. I wanted to hug him so bad but I couldn’t. It was like I was next to him but I couldn’t touch him. So he kept crying. It hurt me to see him cry. I’ve been having that same dream over a couple of days and I think it’s trying to tell me something.”
“Don’t be ridiculous, Kali,” Chevalier lifted her face with his hand. “You’ll live a long and happy life with Lucifer and Trent.”
“I mean, just in case something did happen, please take care of Trent like you did with Bi,” her eyes were tearing up. “You practically raised me and I turned out okay.” she forced a smile.
“What a crybaby,” Chevalier said softly. He wiped the tears that spilled onto her cheeks with his thumbs. “What if Trent sees you like this? Y
ou’ll set a bad example for him.”
She nodded.
Why is she crying? Acelin wondered. Is something making her sad? She was just smiling. Did that man made her sad? The ache in his chest suddenly became painful. What is this feeling? Why did he feel like he couldn’t breathe?
†††††
Arvin emerged from the shadow into Acelin’s chamber. Acelin lay on the bed, staring out the window. The pain in his chest was tormenting him. The image of her crying kept replaying in his mind. What is this feeling? How can he get rid of it? It’s so painful…
“I think it’s about time we go back to sleep,” Arvin said. “We have no further work here.”
Acelin shook his head. “No. You should sleep. I think I might stay awake for a little longer.”
“It is because of that human girl?”
“I want her,” Acelin said.
“I don’t understand what Lord Lucifer and you see in them,” Arvin sighed.
“I don’t understand it either,” Acelin covered his eyes with this forearms. “I just want her.”
“Suit yourself, Acelin. I think I might go to see the Prince one last time before I sleep.”
†††††
Kali turned her head to look around to see if there was anyone behind her. She then returned her attention to the old monk standing in front of the temple’s gate. He was waving his hand in the air and she realized he was motioning to her. She approached him to see what he had to say.
“I sense a great evil following you,” the monk said. He grabbed her by the hand and was pushed back by the burst of energy.
“Are you alright?” Kali asked with great concern. “I didn’t hurt you, did I?”
“Come into the temple,” the monk said after he regained his balance. “I will help you get rid of this evil.”
“I will be fine,” she assured him. “I will not bother you. I need to be home now.”
He grabbed her by the shoulder again, and this time he was pushed back even further. “Young girl, you have no idea how strong this energy on your body is,” the monk managed to say. Pain warped his face. “Please, I insist that you come inside. We have many elders who can help you!”
“Please, I really need to get home,” she refused his help.
When he almost grabbed her again, she jerked back. “I cannot let you leave with this evil on you!” The monk was being too persistent.
He will be dead if I keep refusing him, Kali thought. Next time, she would choose another path to avoid this temple.
“We will not detain you for long,” the monk promised her as he showed her the way up into the temple.
Acelin waited for Kali at the park, knowing she walked by daily. He stood perfectly still for several hours before he saw her. She wore a light pink sundress. Her hair flew in the soft breeze. The blossoms danced around her. Acelin grinned. She would make a beautiful bride.
†††††
Adria appeared in Lucifer’s office. He lifted up his head from his work and stared at her. She was out of breath.
“Lord Lucifer!” she said. “Arvin and Acelin-”
“What about them?” Lucifer asked. His blue eyes glowed as he talked.
“I don’t know what they’re planning, but Arvin is with Trent right now. And Acelin has been stalking Kali,” Adria tried to slow her breathing.
Adria didn’t have to say more. Lucifer disappeared in a blink of an eye. He had to find Kali and his son before it was too late!
†††††
Kali was walking mindlessly along the sidewalk. She looked up when she heard her name called. It was the man she saw yesterday. He had such a handsome face that it was hard to forget.
“Oh, hi,” she said. “I didn’t expect to see you again.”
“I couldn’t forget about your smile,” he said.
“My smile?” Kali blushed. It was the first time she had met a man who was so direct.
“You have been on my mind ever since.”
Kali blinked. Maybe too direct.
But his voice was so reserved that it sounded like he was confessing something to his lover. He took her hand in his. Kali stepped back, confused. He didn’t look at all dangerous, but his actions and his words were so…not normal. Kali pulled her hand back.
“Kali, I want you for my bride.”
Her face was puzzled.
Acelin stared into her eyes. He could sense her confusion. That’s right, he told himself, he had forgotten that humans were not as straightforward when it came to romantic proposals. He could understand her reaction.
“I apologize,” Acelin said. “I have frightened you. My name is Acelin.”
“Nice to meet you, Acelin,” Kali said slowly. She was still skeptical about the man standing in front of her. There was something strange about him that she couldn’t put her finger on.
“As do I, Kali,” he took her hand, this time much more gently. He brought it to his lips and kissed it. Then he pulled her close to him in one smooth motion and kissed her lips. Kali’s eyes widened when she realized what was going on.
Lucifer appeared from a summoning circle.
Anger flickered in his cold blue eyes.
Lucifer strode toward them and pulled Kali away. He held her close to him, pressing her head against his chest to hide her face from Acelin. Kissing her was his sole right. No way was he going to let Acelin see her blushing face after that atrocious kiss!
“What do you think you’re doing?” Lucifer asked in voice with the barest traces of restraint.
Acelin was shocked to see Lucifer. He was even more surprised when Lucifer pulled Kali away from him.
Lucifer created a massive ball of energy and directed it at Acelin, causing him to fall back. He hit the pavement ten yards away. Acelin got up and wiped the fresh blood from the corner of his mouth. He stared at them, forbidding himself from jumping to any kind of conclusion. Who was Kali to Lucifer?
“Acelin!” Lucifer warned.
Kali held on to Lucifer when she saw Acelin’s amber eyes begin to glow brightly. She finally understood. Acelin was a demon, just like Lucifer.
“Who are you, Kali?” Acelin asked patiently.
“You do not know?” Lucifer asked furiously. “It’s hard to believe, Acelin, even for you. She’s mine!”
Acelin closed his fists. He already knew who she was when he saw Lucifer. He just didn’t want to believe it. He held on to his chest. He lowered his head, looking down. The aching in his chest was returning. This time, it ached tenfold. What is this? What is this feeling that he couldn’t interpret? What?
He looked up once again to see Kali’s face. His heart thumped. Kali was his bride. Kali was that woman. That woman…
A summoning circle drew itself around Acelin. He sank into the circle. It was time for him to retreat.
Kali looked up at Lucifer. “Who is he?”
Lucifer did not answer. He lets go of her and headed toward home. Kali tugged on Lucifer’s sleeve. He still did not speak.
“Lucifer…”
He seemed very upset.
“I didn’t-”
Lucifer bent down and kissed her hungrily. He kissed her until she felt weak in the knees and until she almost ran out of breath. When he broke the kiss, he looked down at her blushing face. Then he kissed her again.
†††††
Acelin collapsed onto the ground. Strangely, he didn’t want to get back up. He coughed up blood from his mouth, but quickly wiped it away. He turned over to face the sky, waiting for his body to recover. It wasn’t a long wait. After the physical pain subsided, the ache in his heart took over. He started to laugh. The coincident of all of this was just a cruel joke. He laughed even louder. No wonder Lucifer fell in love with her. She had such an alluring smile.
“What are you laughing at?” Arvin asked, looking down at Acelin on the floor.
“A joke…a very cruel and terrible joke,” Acelin answered. He wiped the tears from his eyes.
“M
ind telling me?”
“Lucifer and I…fell in love with same woman,” Acelin squeezed his chest. “Isn’t that funny?”
“Acelin,” Arvin warned.
“What are the chances, Arvin?”
Arvin knelt down and helped Acelin up. Acelin refused to move. “What are you talking about, Acelin?”
“Her name is Kali, the woman who I fell in love with. Lucifer’s bride, her name is also Kali.”
Arvin stared at Acelin. “Was Lucifer the one who injured you?”
“No,” Acelin shook his head. “She injured me. The wound is not healing. It’s not healing at all,” Acelin was referring to the pain he felt in his chest.
“Foolish Acelin,” Arvin said. He had never seen Acelin like this before. Acelin was not someone who easily gave away his heart. What was so special about this woman? Arvin wondered. Whatever the case, this would not do. He knew Acelin better than he knew himself. Acelin had always been a stubborn demon. Once he had decided on something, it was impossible to change his mind. Would Acelin betray Lucifer for that woman? No…Acelin would never do such a thing. Or would he?
It was entirely that woman’s fault! Arvin growled. If it wasn’t for her, Soren wouldn’t be dead. If it weren’t for her, the bond between the four of them wouldn’t have been broken. Because of her, Lucifer had turned his back against his brothers. Because of her, Acelin was having a change of heart. What had become of the four of them because of a single woman?
Chapter 24: Heaven Isn’t Too Far
Kali hugged Trent the moment she saw him. She squeezed him, not wanting to let go. “Are you ok, Trent? Are you hurt anywhere?”
Trent shook his head.
Kali sighed in relief. “Thank you for picking him up, Chevalier.”
“I’m always close by,” Chevalier said. He then turned to Lucifer. “Why do you think Arvin went to see Trent and didn’t do anything to him? Is it because of your protection circle?”
“No. Arvin has the power to break the circle if he had put some effort into it.”