Fate's Consort

by Elysabeth Grace

  “Rule number one.”

  Lucifer chuckled and closed the space between them. “It is interesting how rule number one is invoked when I violate it but not when you do so.”

  “Because I made the rule.” Her expression became one of deep sadness. “The day Francis broke into Mei Li’s aunt’s apartment, I was there to comfort Miss Kwan. Instead, she comforted me. Jasmine tea mixed with human sympathy is what she gave me. She listened as only a human could, Lucifer. She knew what it meant to be all alone in this world. She has no one anymore. Mei Li was her only relative. Once Mei Li died, Miss Kwan was alone.”

  “You were never alone,” Lucifer said.

  Analise looked at him. “What I’m trying to tell you is Miss Kwan reminded me my heart is human. When Francis told me what he’d done, I was so furious I nearly shifted to end his life. Fortunately, the reason for my existence wouldn’t ignore what was in his voice when he asked me to fix him—the helplessness, the terror, the remorse. So I did what humans often do when faced with such a dilemma. I forgave him. I’m sure he knew I couldn’t fix his genetics, but fixing his body wasn’t what he sought.”

  “How did you know his name, Analise Saria? Did he give it to you?”

  She chuckled drily. “Francis didn’t have a name. He existed so I shared part of mine.”

  “Analise Saria.”

  She stepped back. “I need to finish this, Seraphim. My memories wouldn’t remain buried. They refused to let me be other than who I am. If they had, perhaps I wouldn’t fear the future so much.”

  Lucifer heard the desperation in her voice and reached for her.

  “Please let me finish.”

  He inclined his head. “As you wish, Consort.”

  “You are so beautiful,” she whispered. “I see it, even in your arrogance. Sometimes it hurts my heart to look at you and know all this beauty could be mine, yet I keep pushing you away. Choosing to be alone because it’s way safer than facing my demons. Pun intended.”

  “Pun noted.”

  She approached him. Her hand went to his chest, felt his pulse against hers, a faint flutter like butterfly wings against her flesh. “so strong,” she said. “Truly an Alpha, but a rare one. You are honorable, compassionate, protective, and overbearing. You also try to understand my humanity.”

  Her fingers glided up his chest and throat to cup his chin, one finger brushing over the thin scar. “I can’t live without you, Seraphim. A 24/7 relationship won’t be easy for us but I need you in my life 24/7. You have my heart and my soul. You are my life as I am yours. You are my Consort and my life mate. I love you, Lucifer sans surname.”

  His hands gripped her shoulders, his thumbs gently splayed on her throat. He gazed down at her. “I am honored, Analise Saria Willoughby. I am not human, thus I do not feel as you feel or see as you do, and I will need your patience as I learn. I will not make promises to you unless I mean to keep them. There is one promise I make and easily keep. My heart and soul are yours. You are my Consort and my life mate. You are my life as I am yours.”

  He bent his head and his mouth brushed her cheeks. “No tears, Consort. You have wept enough.”

  Her hand stroked his chest. “I have to get you into reading romances, Seraphim. These are not sad tears. I’m weepy because I’m happy.”

  “Humans are curious in their emotions, and I do have a surname.”

  Analise laughed. “Yes we are. Please kiss me, Seraphim.”

  “With pleasure, Consort.”

  Dragging her mouth from his, she murmured, “Take me home, Dream Candy.”

  Chapter 24

  War is coming.

  Analise sighed. Tell me something I don’t already know.

  She walked into Lucifer’s kitchen. Coffee brewed, she poured herself a cup. Why me?

  You are the culmination of a thousand years of breeding, Tamahaq. For me to walk the earth, you had to be genetically created. Your ancestors protected the powers we hold. Their humanness gave us the emotional strength and compassion to bring Satan’s reign of terror to an end. Were you not born, all life would have ended.

  The last sentence was something Analise didn’t want to think about. Instead, she zeroed in the “creation” part. What Satan is doing is no different from what you’ve done with humans. Both sides played god to produce a race of supernaturals capable of destroying each other. Is it worth it?

  Only you can answer the question, and I do wish you wouldn’t refer to us as ‘you’. We are one.

  Analise drained the last of her coffee and rinsed the mug. Accepting the truth about herself would take some getting used to. To believe you’re partially human for most of your life, or at least supernatural, and then wake up one day to discover you are the reason life exists is a major philosophical WTF.

  She wished she could talk it over with Lucifer, but that talk has to wait for the final event. “Welp, apparently I did this to myself so I’ll have to live with it.”

  Before leaving the kitchen, she went to the refrigerator and grabbed a bottle of water. She returned to the living room and plopped on the sofa, opened the bottle, and took a sip. Her eyes took in the building across from her. Once upon a time, her home.

  Her world had tilted on its axis, although the tilt was subtle, nearly imperceptible. What wasn’t invisible was the saturated anxiety she sensed whenever she left the building. On its surface, city life thrummed like a steady drumbeat, well-ordered chaos much like the impulses of creativity that led people to make San Francisco their home, even if temporarily. Amid all the familiarity, the frantic materialism, the homelessness, the drug use, the yoga-flavored serenity, and the high-tech flavor of the week, a fundamental shift in people’s lives had taken place. Maybe she’d been too self-absorbed to notice the increasing social tics—the nervous side-eye or the rise in random acts of violence. Now she felt it. The edginess, the lack of social trust, mostly the quiet rage creeping over the city.

  The number of claims related to supernatural attacks in the city was also worrying. News media was quick to blame the rise in violence on shifters, which led to a more visible MCRP’s presence on the streets. Though she wasn’t certain, Analise suspected her and Lucifer’s bonding ceremony was connected. Lucifer had ordered more squadrons in San Francisco in advance of the day, which ticked up the numbers on her paranoia meter. Analise found herself not shielding as well as she should and worried her anxiety was telegraphing itself to any human within a five-mile radius.

  Of course, Michael’s description of what the bonding ceremony entailed didn’t help. After her last over-the-top moment, Lucifer agreed the ceremony would take place in San Francisco even though the Enclave was safer. Analise prayed that her paranoia did rain all hell down on the city.

  She left the window and strolled into her office in Lucifer’s apartment since his Holiness wouldn’t let her return to her condo.

  His Holiness is a term used by humans to refer another human in a religious context. It seems inappropriate to use the word to describe your Consort.

  “Rule number one.”

  Doesn’t apply when your mind is open to me.

  “How come no one else invades my personal space?”

  No one else can. I am your Consort and can do anything I want.

  “You did not just go there,” she said and telepathically rolled her eyes.

  Laughter spread through her like warmth on a cold night. An image of his smirk flickered through her mind. I did and if I must I will go there again.

  She felt the weight of his sudden silence. “What is it, Seraphim?”

  The Hierarchy has summoned me to the Enclave. Raphael, Michael, and Saraquel will remain with you. Will you heed their advice, Consort?

  She started to question him then decided against it. She would learn soon enough the reasons for the summons. “Since you asked so nicely.”

  The sensation of a slow, erotic lick the length of her sex had Analise pressing her thighs together. “Unfair, Angel boy, especially since y
ou aren’t in the building.”

  Let it serve as a promise I will keep when I return.

  “I’m holding you to it,” she said huskily.

  He left her mind and despair slipped in the opening.

  I am here, Analise Saria. You need not have such thoughts.

  Her iPad beeped and she picked it up. Tapping an icon, she grinned when Richard’s face appeared.

  “Hey, Dr. Drake What’s up?”

  “Nothing much, Dr. Houston.” She heard Tess’s voice in the background and laughed. “What are you doing that has Tess yelling at you?”

  “Putting luggage in the car. We’re driving your way,” he said. “Tess has a meeting with a bunch of unenlightened academic white men tomorrow. I thought I’d pop into the lab. Then there’s your betrothal ceremony to the Prince of Darkness in two days.”

  Analise groaned. “Don’t remind me. It’s craziness around here. Where are you staying? You can stay at Hotel Darkness, San Francisco. Plenty of rooms available, and I mean it literally. I thought my apartment was huge with four bedrooms. Lucifer’s place has seven. Or, if you want, you can stay in my place.”

  She heard Tess screaming Hotel Darkness and laughed. “It’s all settled then. Tess and I will cook tonight while you and PoD do some male bonding. Tomorrow night you boys will return the favor. Tess, you want to go shopping?”

  “Absolutely,” she yelled. “We’ll see you in a couple of hours. No Richard, lab experiments cannot drive my car.”

  Analise laughed as her iPad screen went black. “Seraphim?”

  Yes, Consort.

  “Richard and Tess are coming to the city. They’ll be camping here for the next few nights.”

  Don’t human beings who camp usually go to the wilderness?

  Analise giggled. “A figure of speech, antiquated one. Camping here means they’ll be staying with us, occupying a bedroom. Tess has meetings tomorrow, Richard wants to play at the lab, and the day after Tess and I are going shopping. I need a pair of shoes to go with the dress I’m wearing.”

  I have seen your closets, Consort. There is a difference between want and need.

  “Don’t lecture,” she said. “Does the same logic hold with you and making love?”

  Of course not.

  “Twit. Anyway, Richard will probably burrow in the lab so you won’t see much of him until dinner.” Analise paused. “I’m sure he pushed Tess to come up.”

  Why?

  “He’s worried about the Prince of Darkness aka you and me.”

  That is my brother’s badge. I will reassure Richard I can keep you out of trouble.

  “As if,” she said with a giggle. “Tess and I are cooking dinner tonight so be back by seven.”

  You can cook?

  “Hilarious, Seraphim. Anyway, I’ll have Raphael and Michael go grocery shopping with me. Should we invite the archangels?”

  If you wish. What troubles you, Consort? I sense your unease.

  Analise tamped down the desire to tell him the truth. Instead, she sighed. “I don’t know, just a strange feeling something awful is about to happen. I’ve felt this way since. . .since Francis.”

  She inhaled and released the air. “I think we’ll have grilled salmon tonight. I need to go to the store.”

  Inform Raphael, he’ll arrange for delivery.

  “What if I want to go to the store, get out of the apartment for a bit? I’ve been stuck here all day.”

  Whatever has made you uneasy, Consort, I wish to investigate.

  Analise heard the concern in his voice. “You’ve felt it too and don’t lie. It’s serious, isn’t it?”

  I fear so. Gabriel and I plan to investigate the rumors of supernatural attacks on humans.

  “Do you think the attackers are demons?”

  I am uncertain, but Gabriel thinks it is the case. Regardless, I cannot risk you going out. Will you do as I ask? Send the list of what you need to Raphael.

  “All right, but we need to get this shit under control,” she said angrily. “I’m so not spending my life in this apartment 24/7. No matter how great the sex is.”

  We make love, Analise. Not sex.

  “Whatever.”

  ***

  “You are my hero, Jess,” Analise said, watching him slide two cheesecakes and a carton of strawberries into the refrigerator. “Where did you get the Swanton? If there’s a store in the city, you better tell or I’ll fire your husband.”

  Jess rolled his eyes before he grinned at her. “As if. You wouldn’t know what to do with yourself without Michael. I have them special-delivered twice a week when they’re in season. It’s all your fault, Empress.”

  Analise threw a towel at him and he ducked. “Remember the day you dragged Michael to the Farmer’s Market in Santa Cruz?”

  At her nod, he grinned. “My angel came home with three boxes. Between the champagne, chocolate, and whipped cream, it was all over for me and on me.”

  “TMI,” Tess screamed. “TMI.”

  The timer on the oven chimed and Analise went to peek at the salmon. “Salmon’s done. How about the veggies, Tess?”

  “Ready. The risotto is perfect if I say so myself,” Tess said. “The wines?”

  “Michael,” Analise replied.

  Both Jess and Tess started laughing. She eyed them. “What? He gets them for me all the time.”

  Jess shook his head. “Wrong, Lise. He’s brilliant and talented in nearly everything. With wine selections, my gorgeous spouse is useless. Don’t worry, Empress, I’ve already taken care of the wine.”

  “I will seriously fire him this time. Please come work for me, Jess.”

  Raphael chose that moment to saunter into the kitchen. “Firing Michael again, Consort?”

  “Yeah, and she wants to hire me,” Jess piped up. “She doesn’t know she’s better off with Michael. I’m a worse control freak than he is. Take this, Raphael. We need to get the food on the dining table before said employee and husband comes in complaining.”

  Analise led the way, balancing the fish platter on her palms. Jess, Raphael, and Tess followed with the rest of dinner. They were eating in the smaller dining room with its octagon-shaped table. Lucifer, Richard, Michael, and Gabriel walked in from the adjacent family room.

  “Seraphim, you sit there. Michael and Richard, those chairs are yours. Jess, you’re next to me. Tess you’re between Aragorn and Raphael.”

  “Aragorn,” Tess repeated.

  “At least it’s not Rambo,” Gabriel interjected as he eyed Analise. “I still don’t see how the Consort could mistake me for Sylvester Stallone.”

  “I wasn’t the one jumping out of a moving car,” Analise muttered. “You also haven’t explained the braid.”

  “On your bonding day, Consort,” Gabriel said.

  The archangels waited until she and Lucifer were seated before they took their chairs. Tess glanced at Analise, who shrugged. “Think feudalism. What can I say?”

  “Are you happy, Lise?”

  Analise peered at Tess. “I am. It’s been crazy. I’m terrified about will happen next but this is right.”

  “Good. Richard and I worried you would never find your happily-ever-after.”

  Analise laughed. “I’m not certain I’m on even on the HFN path, Tess. Everything is changing so fast it’s hard to breathe. I think Francis was the tip of one iceberg, and we still have to deal with Lucifer’s twin.”

  Tess lifted her wineglass and took a long sip. “It’s still hard for me to accept all this. I was raised Catholic, so angels, fallen, guardian or whatever were as familiar to me as the saints. How is it possible the Church got it so wrong?”

  “They didn’t get it wrong, merely an incomplete picture. I’m afraid all will change in a few days.” Analise peered into her wineglass. “The war in heaven truly has come to earth in ways we hadn’t imagined. For centuries, humans experimented with life in whatever form it exists. We’ve altered what lives and how it lives, including ourselves.”

  Her
forehead scrunched with worry, Analise shook her head. “Sometimes, I think we are our worse enemy. At other times, we’re absolutely what the universe needs.”

  “So philosophical,” Tess teased. “As a former empiricist, now borderline metaphysician, I can say, with Luc at your side, everything will turn out fine.” She flicked a glance at him. “You must admit as an immortal piece of eye candy goes, he’s definitely worth it.”

  They looked at each other and immediately succumbed to laughter.

  It is good to hear your laughter, Consort.

  Analise glanced at Lucifer as he walked in. The only thing standing between them was an untold truth.

  Not yet, the voice inside her said. Soon.

  She watched as he and Michael served dessert. The changes in Lucifer were subtle. His language was losing some of its formality. He was also less aloof and arrogant around humans. He was changing because of their relationship, and while it made him more human, it also worried her. She wasn’t so sure she wanted him more human-like.

  “Strawberries and cheesecake, Consort?”

  She peered at the plate he offered her before she speared him with a look. “You must be joking. You want this Black woman happy add another slice and six, no eight more strawberries.”

  “I told you. Sire,” Michael declared smugly. “She’s all about dessert, and Swanton strawberries are her addiction.”

  Lucifer glowered at him and handed him her plate. Michael took it. “You should have listened to me in the first place, Sire. Never come between Analise and dessert, she’ll cut your ass.”

  “Michael.” Analise playfully slapped his arm.

  He stared at her. “It’s true. Forgotten Marrakech, have we?”

  Analise’s laughter bubbled up and joined the amusement at her expense. “That was one time.”

  Michael gave her his plate and took the one Lucifer prepared. “One time is all it takes, Empress.”

  The conversation drifted to more serious matters when Lucifer questioned Richard about Francis. Richard’s growing ease with the Seraphim gratified her. Besides Michael, Tess and Richard were found family and important to her. They’d quickly accepted the angels, who were about to feel the power of Tess’ matchmaking instincts.