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Unintended Series: Part 15 Bound
The large busted waitress brought over two pints of dark ale. When she bent at the waist to place the glasses on the table she beamed her headlights in the younger man’s direction. The kid’s nose was damn near stuck in her cleavage. “Oi! Back off! He’s a kid!” Mammon growled when he saw how uncomfortable her actions made Luke.
“Then what’s he doin’ in a pub?” She smirked.
“He’s MY kid. Figured he oughta get used to dives like this.” He couldn’t help it. Every time he claimed Luke as his own his pride inflated.
“I’m not a kid! I’m older than her!” Luke frowned. The middle-aged barmaid raised an inquisitive brow.
“He’s a special one, ain’t ‘e?” She asked Mammon in a quieter voice. Mammon tucked a twenty between her breasts.
“Just go easy on him, yeah?” She gave Mammon a wink before turning back to Luke.
“You want something to eat, kiddo? You’re painful thin, you are.”
“I probably shouldn’t eat food from a bar.” Luke looked uncertain.
“Nothin’ tastes better than bar food. Bring him some fish n’ chips.” Mammon ordered.
“Back in a tick, love.” She practically sashayed away.
“You don’t have to always treat me like a kid. Do you realize how old I actually am?” Luke asked. He sniffed the pungent drink in front of him and slid it across the table to Mammon.
“Trust me, I know how long it’s been. Indulge yer Old Man. I missed out on too much of yer life.”
“You’re still not used to it? We’ve been meeting like this for at least ten years now.” Luke chuckled.
“Yeah, well ya hit another growth spurt. I thought that meant I could take ya for yer first drink.”
“I’d have been fine with the pastry shop still.” Luke pouted.
“Ya look like me when ya do that. Here. You drink this. It’ll put hair on yer chest.” Mammon shoved the pint back over to Luke.
“Didn’t work for you. I’d rather just have soda.”
“Yeah, well… I guess ya got a point there.” He took the glass back and tipped it back to his mouth. When he lowered it Luke laughed. That giggle brought Luke’s mother, Charmeine, to mind.
“You have foam on your upper lip.” Luke grinned.
“Oh, ha ha, yer funny.” Mammon growled and wiped his mouth with the napkin Luke offered. He wasn’t really angry. “So what’s been goin’ on, kid? Other than ya shootin’ up another half a foot.” Luke was the same height as him now, and his shoulders had a more angular shape. If he took up a training routine as Mammon had there was a good chance they’d have the same kind of build. Luke wasn’t a warrior, though. He had become a scholar. Mammon had never said so, but it made him really proud. Everyone had always called Mammon stupid, an idiot or a moron. To think his son was so smart was like a big ‘fuck you’ to everyone who’d ever made fun of him.
He was also glad Luke would never have to be a warrior. He was too tender-hearted to ever have to shed blood. That was why Mammon always hoped to hear that nothing was amiss with Michael. The war between the Devildom and the Celestial Realm had been dormant since the battle between Lucifer and Michael. He hoped it stayed that way. “Matthial said he’s thinking of retiring soon. He thinks I’m ready to take over as the head librarian. I’m kinda scared about it, though. Michael will have to give his approval. I’d rather not be on his radar at all.”
“Any change with him?” Luke was about to answer, but the waitress returned. “Get the kid a soda, please.” Mammon asked. Luke poked at the greasy food a moment, looking at it dubiously. Mammon snagged a piece of the fried fish and popped it in his mouth. “Mmm, wish I could get this to Beel when it’s piping hot like this.”
“Oh! I made some cookies for you all! I made an especially big batch just for Beelzebub, so the rest of you can get some.” Luke reached into his messenger bag to withdraw a couple boxes tied up with ribbons.
“Ya just made yer uncle’s day.” Mammon chuckled. Luke accepted his soda with a thanks and tried a bite of the fried potato pieces. His eyes went wide, and he ate another bite. “See? Told ya. Bar food’s awesome.” Luke nodded in agreement.
“Mm, I wonder if I can make this at home? It’s really good.”
“So yer scared of Michael, but you still poke around the Palace kitchens?” Mammon would rather he steer clear of the Palace completely.
“Matthial has his own place, and I cook for him all the time. He told me I will get his place when I take over. I don’t know where he’ll live then. I really want to get out of the dorms, but I don’t want Matthial to have to give up his home.” Mammon frowned. He realized he was jealous of Matthial.
“Look, if ya really care that much about the old fart, why don’tcha just be roommates?” Luke perked up.
“You don’t think it would make me seem like a big baby? I mean, I’m grown up now. I shouldn’t need a roommate.”
“Look, Luke… ain’t nobody wants to be lonely. I got a whole slew of brothers always in my face. I’d be twice as miserable without ‘em. I know ya ain’t got Simeon no more, an’ Michael’s a nut job. Matthial has been good to ya, yeah? He’s kinda yer honorary family. I say ask him. I bet it’d make him happy, too.” Mammon shrugged.
********
My husband of twenty years was in a foul mood. He sat at our dining room table, arms crossed. There was more white threaded through his black hair, and his spectacles didn’t do much to hide the tiny wrinkles at the corners of his eyes. He was still the most beautiful man I’d ever lain eyes upon, even if he was scowling. “Absolutely not.”
“Why not? I didn’t even finish my proposal, and you’re shutting me down!” Rebekah growled. I chewed my lower lip, my stomach churning with anxiety. I couldn’t stand seeing Lucifer and Rebekah butt heads. Our daughter’s wrath rivaled her uncle’s.
“You don’t need to finish it. You will remain living under this roof where your protection is guaranteed. End of discussion.”
“That’s bullshit! I’m twenty years old! You can’t keep me locked up here the rest of my life!” She stood up from the table so fast it knocked her chair over. Her ebony hair flew around her face, and, despite the turmoil, I couldn’t help but be in awe of her beauty.
A month earlier she had first come to Lucifer and me to broach the idea of her going to an out of state university. It was the first big fight she and Lucifer had had. The next morning she’d come to the breakfast table with her long locks chopped off. I recognized it as a cry for whatever freedom she could get. Lucifer had been furious at her for ‘destroying’ her hair. It had done nothing of the sort, though. At just past chin length her hair had taken on a natural wave just like Lucifer’s. All her defiant haircut had done was frame her lovely face with scarlet tipped raven curls. If anything at all she was even more gorgeous.
“Rebekah, calm yourself. You’re only going to upset your brothers and sister. We’ve had this argument before. Even if you have Simeon go with you for protection you will be leaving your siblings and mother unguarded. It takes powerful magic to shield you from the Devildom and the Celestial Realm. You have not yet come into your full powers…”
“That is why I want to go to a college close to Uncle Solly! If I am closer to him, he will be able to tutor me more often.” She suggested.
“It’s not a matter of physical distance. Solomon can be here in the blink of an eye. It’s about not raising suspicions. Besides, have you not listened to what he’s already tried telling you? It doesn’t matter how many lessons he gives you. You have an Inherent Magic that is locked within you. None of us are sure what needs to happen to unlock it. Until we discover what it takes to get you at your full power we can’t even dare attempt letting you leave this house. IF you had a way to access it you would still need to learn how to use it. Only then could you possibly be powerful enough to protect yourself.” Lucifer stood up, righted Rebekah’s chair and took her hand. I was happy to see she let him. He sat down and tugged her down to sit in his lap. He tucked her hair behind her ear, and cuddled her close to his chest. I was suddenly reminded of that first morning when I’d come to the breakfast table to find him holding an infant Rebekah against his chest. It didn’t seem so long ago.
“Dad, I just… I feel like I can’t breathe here anymore. I feel like there is so much of life to live on the outside of this bubble we’re in.” She slumped down against his chest, and he rested his cheek on the top of her head.
“Darling girl, if it was within me to give you all three realms I would. I lost my power to do that fighting the very one we are working so hard to protect you from.”
“But losing your power made it so you could be here with Mom and me.” Rebekah had heard Lucifer’s story before.
“That’s right, and I wouldn’t trade this life I’ve had with all of you for anything, my daughter. Not even your freedom. It may sound selfish, but I have faith in you. You will master your own powers, and when you do you’ll have the freedom to do as you please. It is just going to take time, my love.” I watched as a tear slid down Rebekah’s cheek, and it made my heart thump with sadness. I racked my brain trying to come up with some way to soothe Rebekah. If I could even give her a small taste of freedom it might help a little.
“How about you and I go into town for the day? We could do a little shopping and have lunch.” I suggested. Lucifer looked anxious at the idea.
“I suppose if Simeon were to accompany the two of you it would be safe enough. Solomon’s wards protect the house to a degree, so it’s not necessary for Simeon to stay here always.” He agreed. Rebekah sniffled and stood up.
“It’s fine. I’m just going to go to my room and do some sketching.” She looked so defeated as she left the dining room and went to the bedroom where she’d actually been born. She’d taken it over as her room not long before her oldest brother had graduated from sleeping in a crib to a bed. I remembered wondering why in the world there were so many spare bedrooms when I’d first come to live here. Lucifer and I had made sure to fill those rooms with a handful of kids.
“What are you daydreaming about, love?” Lucifer reached across the table to squeeze my hand and bring me back to the present.
“Just remembering when the house seemed too big. We did a good job of filling it up.” Lucifer smiled at me.
“Starting to worry our nest will empty out? We could rectify that.” He raised a brow at me.
“Oh no! Four is just enough. We’ve got two of each and a guardian angel to boot. We’d literally have to build onto the cabin.”
“Is that the only reason? Adding an extra few rooms wouldn’t be so difficult.” He smirked.
“You’re just teasing me now.” I realized. He pulled on my hand to draw me into his lap as he’d done with Rebekah. The way he held me was very different. His large hand gripped my upper thigh, and he rested his face on my bosom.
“I would never tease you about giving you my seed. What do you think? One more, just for good measure? Maybe it would even be twins.” He spoke softly and seductively, and damned if I wasn’t tempted.
“I think YOU’RE the one missing the kids being little. Only the devil would think a houseful of toddlers would be enjoyable.” I decided. He sighed heavily.
“I do miss them being babies. Even Lillian is getting to where she doesn’t want me to baby her anymore.” He frowned.
“I think you forget you’re human, you know. The both of us are getting too old to start from scratch. I’m forty-four years old. It’s not very safe for me to have a child now.” I reminded him.
“You don’t look any different than when you first came into my room to steal my eye mask.” He assured me. I laughed at him.
“What did I learn in Sunday School? The Devil is the prince of lies?” He looked up at me and caressed his thumb over my lower lip.
“I’m no devil anymore, and I would never lie to you. You are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever known. I think I loved you the moment I met you, MC.” He spoke the words so seriously it sent a shiver of desire through me. I leaned down to press my lips to his, and he immediately slid his tongue into my mouth. I groaned at how good it felt.
“Mom, Uncle Simmie is too busy to make lunch, and I’m hungry now!” Peter, our nine year old youngest son, came bursting into the dining room. “EWW! Dad!” He grabbed hold of my arm and started pulling me out of Lucifer’s lap. Lucifer chuckled and released me.
“Are you SURE you’d want to do this again?” I smirked at him.
“Point taken. How about I come help with lunch?” Lucifer followed after us as Peter led me by the hand to the kitchen.
********
Her parents would never understand. How could they? They had never been locked up against their will as she was. She locked her bedroom door behind her and flopped down onto the bed. She had no plans to sketch at all. That had been a lie to soothe her parents’ worry. She inserted her ear pods and turned on her favorite playlist to help her meditate.
She had been born with the ability to move between worlds at ease, but her very powerful protectors had put up blockades to hem her in even in the astral plane. As a child she’d happened upon a particular field of glowing blue flowers, and within those blossoms she’d met a prince. Anyone else would have chalked it up to imaginary friends and daydreams, but Rebekah knew the place she’d been was real. Dia was real. After the incident on Barbatos’ birthday she found the path to Dia was barricaded. She supposed they all hoped she would forget the place. Forget the prince. Instead she had spent years trying to find another way to get to him. She had used the spells Solomon had taught her to manipulate the fabric of the realities she confronted in the astral plane, but she just didn’t have the full magical strength to accomplish her aims. It felt like there was a lock on her magic. She was surrounded by so many walls by so many different powerful beings that she felt like a prisoner. She didn’t doubt one of them had locked her magic up within her somehow. Her father had claimed it wasn’t true, but that just meant he didn’t know if someone had done that to her.
None of it mattered right now. Rebekah took a calming breath to release all the pent up tension she had. What she hadn’t told anyone, was that she had found a way back to the Devildom. It wasn’t the original path that had been blocked off. This door was beyond the shadow creek, in the opposite direction of the stone bridge. It was a long journey through a forest and along a dirt road that circled up the side of the mountain.
It was in a place where she found herself no longer the sole occupant. She couldn’t decide what or who the figures were, but they felt like they were there to warn her away. The first time she’d noticed them she’d been terrified. As she’d walked along the road she’d heard rustling behind her. A glance over her shoulder had shown her nothing but a copse of birch trees along the edge of the road. She passed it off as the wind blowing through their branches. She turned her head and continued on, and the rustling got louder. This time when she looked back there were even more trees than last time. She picked up her pace. The movements behind her became more frantic, and she realized there was no wind blowing. Looking over her shoulder, she saw the birch trees had taken on faceless yet anthropomorphic shapes. They had moved away from the edge of the road and were actively moving toward her in stilted jerky steps.
Terror overtook her, and she had run up the road at full speed. Even as she ran she could hear the scraping of branches coming from the forested mountainside. In her haste, she didn’t notice part of the road ahead was partially covered with rock. She tripped and hit the ground hard with her hands. The birch trees weren’t far behind. She could still hear them advancing. Frantically she looked around her, and she found an opening in the side of the mountain. The fallen rock partially covered it, but she was small enough to be able to squeeze through. At first it was just dark in the cave, but, as she crawled, instead of packed dirt her hand met water. The water had sucked on her hand in a disturbing way. She’d struggled to pull back, but it was too late. She’d been drawn fully into the water.
She emerged, soaked to the bone, from a lake. Before she could even get her bearings, she’d heard a snuffling and grunting sound. It was dark where she had wound up, so she strained her eyes to watch the forest around the lake. She wasn’t sure if the birch trees had followed her. What she found wasn’t a tree, but some kind of inky black four-legged creature. She had heard enough of her father’s tales of the Devildom and its inhabitants to recognize a shadow boar. For just a second she was elated to have found her way back, and then the beast had noticed her. She hadn’t even thought about it. She heard herself screaming Dia’s name before she’d even recognized it as coming from her own lungs. She had barely picked up any momentum when she ran face first into what felt like a brick wall. She felt herself being swung around by a strong arm, and as she realized someone was holding her protectively behind their broad, muscled back, she heard the screech of the dying animal.
It had all happened so fast. Dia had turned to face her, still in his demon form. It should’ve been frightening to her, but all she had felt was safe. It was the first time she had seen the Demon Prince in nearly a decade, and now that she knew the way she had been visiting with him by that lake ever since.
********
Rebekah’s visits were too few and too far in between to suit Diavolo’s tastes, but he was grateful for what he could get. He didn’t know how she knew today was the perfect day to come to him, but it was. Mammon was in the Human World meeting up with Luke, and Barbatos had an unnamed errand to run as well. Diavolo had been left to his paperwork with only Valefor keeping an eye on him. Despite having evolved into a mid-level shadow demon, Little V wasn’t suited to babysitting duty. Diavolo had no issues slipping away from the Castle and out to the lake within the forest.
Since that first day when he’d accidentally run into Rebekah there he had taken precautions to ensure her safety. He had set up magical wards that kept the area safe for humans. There were no animals, plants, demons or latent magic that could cause harm to Rebekah’s psyche. Psyches were much more delicate than a human body, and much more sensitive as well. Rebekah possessed the most beautiful psyche he’d ever seen. Yes, it looked identical to her human form, but his demonic eyes could see beyond that. He could see every glittering facet of her every emotion dancing around her like stars.
Today, as he neared the lake he saw her sitting on its bank. She’d learned how to swim up through the portal and use magic to dry herself off. He’d taught her how. She sat on a boulder, her bare feet dipped into the water making ripples. And then he noticed her hair. “Rebekah? What have you done to your hair?” He asked, nearing her. He badly wanted to reach out and touch the silky tendrils as they brushed her jaw and the nape of her neck.
“You don’t like it?” She self-consciously tucked a lock behind her ear.
“May I?” He asked permission, his hand hovering near her head. She gave him a shy smile and a nod. His thick fingers combed through her still slightly damp tresses, and he felt a shiver in his body. His conscience told him it was wrong to lust after this girl, the daughter of his best friend, but every fiber of his being refuted any wrongdoing. If it was only lust he felt he could walk away. “I love it.” He answered her. Her small pale hand came up to hold his in place as it cupped the back of her head. She looked up at him with her mother’s eyes. The scarlet crescent at the bottom of her iris was all Lucifer, however. He could feel how much she loved him in return. Rebekah turned her face just enough to be able to kiss his inner wrist.
It literally brought the Demon Prince to his knees before her. “Dia… I can’t take it anymore. Please, let me come live here with you. I promise I won’t be any trouble at all! I will go to your school, and I will even help Uncle Barbie keep the Castle clean to pay my way…” He cut off her plea with a kiss. His mouth captured hers, and she made a mewling sound like a tiny kitten. She snaked her arms over his shoulders to circle his neck, and he wrapped his around her waist to pull her body toward his. With each and every visit they grew bolder with each other, and Diavolo didn’t know how much more he could take. He wanted her. Just touching her skin made something deep within him sing to life.
“Rebekah… if you come to live in my Castle it will be as my Queen and nothing less.” He vowed to her. The look of surprise on her lovely face was soon taken over by sheer happiness and excitement. Had he just proposed? He’d had no plans to do such today, and he had no ring to give her. It didn’t matter. Nothing could make him take it back now. “Will you be mine, Rebekah?” He drew her hand to his lips and kissed the back of it. She launched herself into his arms, full of laughter and love.
“YES! Of course I will! Oh… how could I not have fallen in love with you, Dia?” She had wrapped herself around him and was sitting astride his lap, and he locked his arms around her waist to keep her there. She stroked her fingers through his hair, and with her other hand she held onto his chest. He would need to go to the Human World to confront Lucifer and MC and to retrieve not just Rebekah’s psyche but her entire self, body included, to be his bride. The particulars didn’t matter at that moment. Not when her pert breasts were pressed into his chest. Not when her pink lips were slick from his kiss. Just as he was going to move in for another taste of her lips, she darted forward and kissed him. He groaned as a wave of longing washed over him. Diavolo lowered his arms from her waist to grip onto her backside with his hands. His palms and splayed fingers fit perfectly over the globes of her ass, and he squeezed hard. Rebekah moaned into his mouth, and he took the opportunity to slide his tongue around hers. She held his face in her hands, and he pulled her hips down as he pushed his upward. Just a few scraps of cloth separated him from her heat, and it was almost more than he could take.
“Rebekah… I want you.” He breathed the words against her ear and then sucked the lobe into his mouth. She rocked her hips down to press into his growing erection, and her fingers forked into the hair at his nape. She let out a shuddering breath.
“I want you, too.” The hand not in his hair started tugging on the buttons of his dress shirt. Her tiny hand split the material of his shirt and moved inside of it to stroke his chest. Very quickly her fingertips felt the hardened nub of his nipple. The nail on her index finger scratched over it, and he let out a moan. Rebekah leaned back a bit and lifted her t-shirt over her head, revealing she wore no bra. His mouth was on her breasts before he even realized what he was doing. She held his head there, and he moved his hands back up to her bare back, holding her steady as he sucked, bit, licked and devoured her. “Oh… Dia… don’t stop, please don’t stop!” She begged him and pressed her heat into his again.
It was all moving too quickly and not fast enough. He didn’t want to hurt her, but he craved her. He had wanted it all to go so differently. He’d wanted to take her on their wedding night in a bed of silks and velvets surrounded by flowers. It just didn’t matter anymore. He WOULD have her that way. He would have her EVERY way. Right now he just had to have HER. He suddenly lifted her from his lap and laid her down on the grass. He moved over top of her, and she giggled. “The grass is tickling my back.” She smiled up at him. Her hands reached up to him to yank the two halves of his shirt fully open, ripping the buttons loose. He raised up to shrug out of the shirt, balled it up and tucked it beneath her head and neck as a pillow. She turned her face into the shirt and inhaled. “Smells like you.” She grinned. He became acutely aware of his own cock being wedged against her.
“Do you like my scent?” He asked her, he ran his hand up her smooth stomach to cup her breast and massage it roughly. She writhed beneath him and hummed.
“I do. It makes me feel happy and safe.” She revealed.
“Rebekah, I will protect you from anything and everything. I swear it. I’m just afraid I will not be able to keep you safe from the things I want to do to you.” He knew this would be her first time. He could see the purity of her reflected in her psyche. Because this was her psyche, losing her virginity would be more painful than if she were in her human body. It was the only thing keeping him from tearing the clothes from their bodies and consummating their love. Rebekah raised her hand to his jaw.
“I think if it is you hurting me I will enjoy it.” Her cheeks turned pink with that revelation, and Diavolo’s heart skipped in his chest.
“This is your psyche, sweetness. Physical pain to it will be amplified…”
“Won’t the pleasure also be amplified?” Her eyes fell half shut, and a seductive smile played at her lips. Damn, but she looked like her father in that moment! He reared up, took hold of the waistband of her soft knit bottoms and rent them apart to bare her luscious body to him. He moaned at the sight of her perfection. She had alabaster skin, and the ebony curls at the apex of her thighs were a stark contrast.
Diavolo slid his hands up her legs to hook behind her knees. He pushed her thighs up and spread her legs far enough to accommodate his wide shoulders. He needed to taste her. He needed to feel with his own mouth she was ready for him. He used his thick thumb to stroke the curls and find the slit bisecting her mound. It was already so wet his thumb pushed between her lips. She had raised up onto her elbows to watch him. He looked up her torso and into her eyes. They reflected the lust that darkened his own eyes. He spread open her mound and dragged his tongue along the valley of her womanhood. Rebekah gulped for air, and her body shuddered at the feel of his mouth on her most private parts. He moved a hand to her abdomen to brace her as he delved even deeper, darting his tongue against her opening, then upward to circle her clitoris. Her head fell back, and she let out a moan. He did it again exerting more pressure. He suddenly recalled MC sharing a human world snack with him once. She had a green apple she had cut into slices and sprinkled with salt. It was sweet, tart and salty. It was what Rebekah tasted like to him. He moved his mouth onto her clit to suckle at it, and at the same time he pushed his middle finger into her opening up to his knuckle. Her hips bucked, but he moved with them, anticipating it. Rebekah fell back onto her shoulders, and her hands went to his head, grasping his hair.
“Dia… please!” She panted and pushed her hips up to meet him. “I… I can’t take it!” She convulsed, and he felt her inner walls clamp onto his finger. She gushed slick fluids onto his knuckles with her release. Not wanting to painfully overstimulate her, he pulled back up to sit on his legs. He licked her release from his fingers as she watched him.
Once she had caught her breath, she moved back up to rest on her elbows. Her legs were still as he’d positioned them, spread and pulled upward to show him all of her. She moved one of her legs to stroke her foot up his still clothed thigh. He let her. At first she just moved it up and down his thigh, but he realized she was inching closer to his crotch each time. He watched as she finally slid her foot over the bulge of his erection. For being such a tiny woman, her feet were rather long. They were shapely, though, and her foot was just the right size to push down on his shaft. She wiggled her big toe, and it rubbed at the underside of his glans. It was his turn to hang his head back and gasp for breath. He clasped his own thighs to endure the rush of pleasure she was giving him. She giggled at him. “Do all princes have a thing for feet?” She asked him. He vaguely realized she was making a reference to the Human World story of Cinderella. He finally circled a hand around her ankle and brought her foot to his mouth. He dragged his tongue over the arch, and she let out a yelp. “That tickles!” He chuckled and did it again. “Dia!” She squealed and tried to wrestle her leg free of his grip.
“Maybe it’s the princess who has a foot fetish.” He released her foot and moved back over top of her. She was somehow even more beautiful as she laughed. He buried his face into her neck to inhale her scent and to taste her skin. He felt her small hand move down his chest to the buckle of his belt. She tugged at the leather, and he held his body still as her hand worked to free him. His lips kept moving. He kissed, licked and nibbled her tender flesh. He could feel her hand shaking with every bite he took of her skin. Until she finally gave up.
“Dia… help me…” She implored. He didn’t move a muscle. He used his magic to pull the belt loose, pop the button and slide the zipper down. From there, Rebekah took over again. She shoved his pants down, and when they were half down his ass, she looped her legs around his body. She used that elegant foot of hers to hook into his waistband and drag the pants down his thighs, all the while lifting her pelvis to press into his freed erection. The tip of his cock was throbbing, hot and sticky with pre-cum. Rebekah drew her thumb over the slit in her pursuit to angle him at her entrance. Her touch made his cock jerk in her grip, and she let out a surprised gasp and then giggled. It was that giggle… it felt like velvet clad fingertips dancing along his spine. With his glans at her entrance, he thrusted into her.
********
Rebekah couldn’t breathe. When Diavolo pushed inside of her body she felt a rush of pleasure unlike any orgasm she’d ever had. Once he’d buried his entire penis within her, he’d dragged it back out and shoved in again. She could feel her body tearing open to accommodate him. It was painful, but in a pleasurable way. She felt the pleasure expanding within her with every stroke he made, and after only a few moments she was able to match his movements. She clutched at his forearms as his lower half moved sinuously. It was perfect. HE was perfect. Her orgasm built to a crescendo, but even as it crashed he kept pumping into her. He didn’t stop. His movements only became more powerful and erratic as he chased his own release. Rebekah tightened her inner walls around him to give him the same pleasure he’d given her, but then something within her shifted. She felt like some part deep inside of her opened up. She wasn’t sure it was a physical part of her body. It felt like the same part her magic came from. “Dia…” She could barely speak or breathe now. Something was happening. Something larger than just an orgasm. He didn’t still. He kept moving in and out of her, his face resting in the crook of her neck.
“Rebekah, I… I feel it, too. I can’t stop…” He groaned, and his hips began moving even faster. Just as she was about to slip into panic, the both of them reached a climax together. It wasn’t just a sexual climax. She felt magical energy erupting from within her very soul. It shot outward through a spot on her forehead and between her eyes.
A matching geyser of magic was pouring from Diavolo, and it writhed its way around her own magic, twisting and turning until the stream of magic had become so entwined as to be one. Their bodies even felt like they were melting into one another. It should’ve been terrifying, but it wasn’t. Rebekah loved her demon prince to the point she didn’t care if he absorbed her. “Dia… I love you.” She spoke softly and stroked his head. He raised his face to look directly into her eyes. She saw no fear there. Regardless of the magic pouring from her forehead, he lowered his face to hers to kiss her.
“My precious bride… I love you.”
*********
Barbatos stood beside the dais where the Demon King slumbered. It had been a very, very long time since he and Lord Diavolo’s father had made the arrangements. It was time now. The king suddenly coughed. Dust and a few spiders were expelled from his long dormant throat. Even as he raised himself up, his unused body creaked. Barbatos handed him a glass of water. He gulped it down, tossed the empty glass and accepted the second glass of water Barbatos produced from thin air. They repeated this process until he cleared his throat and looked up to the demon butler standing at his side. “Is it you, Father?” The Demon King asked. Barbatos nodded.
“It is I. I go by Barbatos now, and I have been your son’s butler since you went dormant.”
“It’s a convincing disguise. No one would guess you are our Father, the Great Creator.” Barbatos bowed.
“That was my intention. I only wanted to be a humble butler teaching the young master how to be the King the Devildom needed.”
“And did it work? What has become of my son, Diavolo?”
“Your Highness, you will be so very proud of him. He has his mother’s kind human heart, but he is threaded through with your strength and authority.”
“So he is ready to officially ascend to the throne?” Barbatos looked to his pocketwatch.
“Any moment now he will merge his soul with his one true mate. Their shared Inherent Magic will bring down the barriers. Together they will be able to mend all that is wrong. It will bind all three realms peacefully.” Barbatos confirmed.
“This one true mate? What of them?”
“She is a very special woman. Part angel, part demon, part human. She is the daughter of Lucifer.” The Demon King quirked an eyebrow.
“Your choir director?”
“Much has happened. When I stepped away from the Celestial Realm to raise Diavolo in the path of goodness, my child, Michael, took over. He… his corruption overtook him. Lucifer led a rebellion against him, thinking it was against me. Michael Felled Lucifer and his brothers. They have become demons since their Felling. They are the avatars of the seven deadly sins. Well, Lucifer has transformed once again. He’s human now, living in the Human World with his lover. They are the parents of Diavolo’s mate.” Barbatos condensed thousands of years of history into a few sentences. The Demon King hmphed.
“I suppose a bit of time has passed.”
“Just a bit.” The very fabric of reality suddenly shimmied and throbbed. The both of them noticed it. “Their union is now complete. We must go to them now. I’m afraid we can only observe the battle, but it is for the best. It will be over quickly.” Barbatos held a hand out to the Demon King, and with his other he began conjuring a portal to the cabin in Tennessee.
********
Michael reclined on the chaise lounge in his chambers. Certain days he still ached in his missing limbs. Today was one of those days. With every throb of pain his anger increased. He knew it was useless being angry with a dead man. He sometimes wished Lucifer had finished the job he started before perishing on the battlefield. Being half the angel he’d been was emasculating. He’d spent the past twenty years with only Gabriel for company. He was sure putting up with the healer angel’s eccentricities had done permanent damage to his own mental health.
Not that it mattered much anymore. The Celestial Realm didn’t feel like it used to. He had a sudden longing for his Father. He tired of trying to keep all three realms in check. It was impossible for anyone but Father, and He had disappeared so long ago Michael couldn’t recall how many years it had been. He gritted his teeth through the phantom pains, and Gabriel gave him a sympathetic frown. “Lollipop?” He offered. Michael scowled at him, and then snatched the sugary treat out of his hand. He tried tugging the wrapper off using the prosthetic hand, but it was difficult to do. He had just managed to get it opened and stuffed into his mouth when it happened. He felt a rumbling in the reality surrounding all three realms. Even Gabriel felt it. “Whatever was that?” Gabriel looked around and sniffed the air. Michael struggled to sit upright.
“Magic. The barriers are down. I know that magic… that’s Lucifer’s magic!” Wrath pulsated throughout his whole being. It was impossible. He had destroyed Lucifer. No one could survive having both their body and their soul torn apart. “Get my leg.” He demanded. Gabriel jumped to obey. He helped Michael to get the buckles tightened that would hold it in place, and he even offered the walking staff Michael needed to keep his balance.
“What’s going on, Michael?”
“I can sense Lucifer’s magic. It’s altered, but I feel it. He’s in the Human World.” Gabriel balked at that.
“I cannot follow you to the Human World. I am a healer, not a fighter.” Michael tsked.
“That’s the problem with the Celestial Realm these days. My best fighters are gone. Only the cowards, the ones too frightened to fight, survived the last war. Fine. I will do this on my own. I need no one’s help to finish this job.” The determination to take Lucifer out gave Michael a spark of life. He’d been missing that passion for too long. He walked in an awkward gait powered with vengeance. It took more of his magical energy than it used to, but he conjured a portal to take him to the energy he was feeling.
“Good luck!” Gabriel waved him off with a half-hearted smile. He didn’t think he’d ever see Michael alive again.
********
Mammon and Luke were standing on the sidewalk outside the pub. Mammon was elbowing Luke in the ribs teasing him. “Ya don’t gotta be ashamed, kid. Tits are one of our Father’s greatest creations. I mean, they’re just so… bouncy an’ round!”
“I wasn’t looking at her… chest! She had a cross necklace on! I thought it was very pretty!” Luke’s cheeks were splotchy red with his embarrassment. Mammon just laughed heartily at him and slapped his back. He wasn’t exactly drunk, just pleasantly fuzzy from the dark ale.
“Look, I know yer a good kid. I know yer more angel than anything else, but I hope ya got enough of me in ya to find a good woman to dip yer wick in at least once. When ya find someone good and beautiful on the inside and then get to make love to them… it’s the closest I’ve felt to being in the Celestial Realm since I was in the actual Celestial Realm with yer Ma…what the fuck was that?!” Luke had felt it, too.
“That… that was really, REALLY strong magic! Wait… can you feel the difference? The air feels different.” Luke looked confused, but Mammon figured it out.
“It’s the barriers. I can’t feel ‘em anymore. I can sense the Devildom nearby.” Luke nodded.
“You’re right! I can feel the Celestial Realm bleeding through. Who’s strong enough to bring down the barriers?”
“They were put in place by our Father and the Demon King when they called a truce. The Demon King has been AWOL since Diavolo was a little tyke.”
“Father has been gone since before you Fell…”
“Whoa! Diavolo’s here in the Human World. I can feel him. Shit. Barb’s gonna have my head on a pike.” Mammon grabbed his white head and groaned. Luke perked up, his eyes filled with terror.
“Michael’s here. Mammon, we have to go help them!”
“Help who? Diavolo and Michael? Those two are stronger than us!”
“No, if Michael is here in the Human World it can be for only one reason. He found Lucifer and Rebekah. Lucifer’s just a human. We need to get to them NOW!” Luke clutched Mammon’s arm.
“Oi! Quit grabbing me! We don’t even know where they are!”
“Tennessee! Come on, can’t you use magic to teleport us there?” Luke begged.
“Can’t you?” Mammon growled back. Luke groaned.
“I know the spell, but I’m not powerful enough. What if we combine our magic?”
“Yeah, that’s smart thinking. Go for it, kid. Just tell me what to do.” Mammon nodded.
“Hold onto me and slowly feed your magic into me.” Luke was scared, but he took a deep breath and started chanting the spell. Mammon eased his own power through the palm of his hand wrapped around Luke’s bare wrist. He could feel the air around them charging with magic, and then with a whoosh that stole his breath the world around them changed. Mammon stumbled a little, but kept his grip on Luke’s wrist. They were in a driveway at a cabin surrounded by greenery.
“Whoa, kid, ya did it! Didn’t ya?”
“Yeah, this is it!” Luke’s face was lit up with excitement. Mammon shot him a grin and punched his shoulder.
“Good job, son.” A flash of light came from the windows of the cabin, and Mammon and Luke both felt a miasma of magic wash over the area. There were some very powerful magic users congregating here. “We better get in there now.” Mammon’s magic still wasn’t strong enough to compare to what was coming from the cabin, but if his brother or his family needed protecting, Mammon was physically capable. Luke nodded and led the way.
********
Diavolo and Rebekah had somehow materialized in her bedroom at the cabin in the Human World. Dia still half wore his pants, and she was completely nude being pressed into her mattress by his weight. It felt both more and less real than when she met with him in the Devildom. “Rebekah, are you okay?” The look of concern in his golden eyes melted her heart all over again. She nodded.
“I’m fine. Just readjusting to being in my body. We’re in the Human World. Did you do that?” She asked him. He shook his head.
“No. Did you feel it? You have Inherent Magic. It was released and merged with mine. I can feel it within me, still. Rebekah, I believe our souls have merged along with our magic.” He grinned so sweetly at her she could do nothing but return it.
“Is that what happened? I just know I feel free for the first time in my life. I love you, Dia. My prince.” She cupped his face and drew him down for a kiss. Before she could even enjoy it, there was banging on her bedroom door. “Shit. That would be my parents and Uncle Simmie.” She groaned. Diavolo raised himself off of her.
“We should dress. I need to speak with your father. He will have to give his blessing now. We’ve already mated.”
“What?” Rebekah whipped her head around at the word ‘mated.’ Her cheeks were flushed pink with embarrassment. It made Diavolo blush, too.
“Not that you’re pregnant! I just meant we’ve made love.” He corrected himself. He used his magic to conjure up a fresh shirt. Rebekah pulled on clean panties, stretchy yoga pants, a bra and a slouchy top. “Does the idea of having my children frighten you?” He asked self-consciously. She shot him a sweet smile.
“No. I just don’t want my dad to have a heart attack. Telling him we’re together is going to be rough enough on him. I mean, the two of you were practically best friends.” She shrugged. The banging on the door intensified. “Ready?” She asked him. He buttoned his last shirt button and nodded.
*********
We had been having an average Friday afternoon at home when everything changed forever. Simeon was upstairs writing the latest installment of his newest series. Rebekah was in her room sketching. Johnny was in his room gaming on the PC he’d built himself. Lillian was on the sofa, earbuds in while reading a Harrison Porter paperback. Peter was on the loveseat watching anime on his laptop. Lucifer sat at the piano working on his latest composition. I was doing some sewing. The last time Lucifer and I had found a moment alone he had pulled his shirt off so quickly he’d ripped some of the buttons off. I was sewing them back on when there was a sudden shift in the air around us. The children didn’t seem to notice it, but Lucifer and I caught each other’s eye. “What was that?” I asked. Upstairs I heard Simeon’s chair roll back from his desk. He was coming downstairs at a jog, a look of concern on his face.
“Did you feel it?” Simeon asked us.
“What was it?” Lucifer questioned.
“Solomon’s shields are down, but it’s more than that. The barriers are down.” Lucifer’s face went pale.
“Barriers?”
“The barriers put in place by our Father and Diavolo’s father.”
“What does that mean?” I could feel fear starting to unfold in my stomach.
“Only a very powerful being could tear down the barriers.” Lucifer informed me.
“Diavolo?” I hoped it was him. The idea of someone stronger than him was too frightening to think about.
“Not the last time I was around him. He’d not risk putting the Human World in danger by bringing down the barriers. Only if he was fully certain it was safe to do.” Lucifer explained.
“More importantly, we need to get some kind of shield up to protect Rebekah from Michael’s notice. With no barriers in place it will be easy for anyone to detect her.” As Simeon voiced his concerns a loud noise came from Rebekah’s room. I was closest to her door, and I ran for it.
“Simeon, protect the kids!” I ordered him.
“Got it.” I barely heard him. I grabbed the handle to Rebekah’s room and it turned uselessly. The door was locked. I banged my fist on the wooden door.
“Rebekah! Answer me!” I yelled, banging both my fists on the door. Lucifer was by my side instantly.
“Move. I’ll kick it in.” He told me. I was just stepping back when the door opened inward. Rebekah stood in the door frame, looking bewildered but in one piece. I dragged her into my embrace, and a burst of anxious tears came to my eyes. I’d barely registered she wasn’t alone in her room before I heard Lucifer’s voice. “Diavolo? What the hell are you doing in my daughter’s room?” Rebekah pulled away from my arms to stand beside him.
“It’s actually a long story.” Diavolo almost looked bashful. I was paying more attention to my daughter. She was wearing different clothing than she had been, and on her neck there were obvious love bites.
“Fucking summarize!” Lucifer growled. Diavolo let out a nervous chuckle.
“We’re here for your blessing. We’re betrothed. In fact, our Inherent Magic sort of merged when we, um… consummated our relationship.” Diavolo’s hand scratched the back of his neck, and a blush dusted his cheeks pink. He didn’t look any different than he had twenty years ago when I’d last seen him in the Devildom.
“You want WHAT?” I could feel my husband’s wrath roiling off of him. For just a second I thought it was a good thing he was no longer a demon. He was apt to spawn another Satan at this rate.
“Daddy, please… don’t be upset. I love him, and he loves me. I’ve never felt so free or so happy in all my life. Please, just give us your blessing.” Rebekah positioned herself between her father and Diavolo. I watched as Lucifer’s eyes fell on the red mark on Rebekah’s neck, and his hands went up to clutch his own hair. He spun on his heel to stalk away from them. Rebekah went to follow him, but I grabbed her arm.
“Don’t. Just give him a minute to recover.” I warned her.
“MC… you’re just as lovely as I remember. It’s good seeing you again.” Diavolo moved toward me. He held out his arms seeking a hug from me. I’d almost forgotten how affectionate he was. Lucifer had never liked it when Diavolo gave me bear hugs. I moved in to the hug, but before he could put his arms around me I reared back and smacked his face.
“MOM!” Rebekah cried out and threw herself between us. Lucifer spun back around in time to see the red mark in the shape of my hand rising on Diavolo’s jaw.
“How dare you? She’s a mere child to you!” I accused him.
“MC, I swear, it isn’t like that. When we first met I only saw her as a child. Even when she found her way back to the Devildom I treated her with the utmost respect.”
“I was the one who sought him out. I was the one who pursued him. He tried turning me down. He said it wasn’t right, because of his relationship with the both of you. I convinced him. If you want to be angry with anyone, be angry at me.” Rebekah defended him.
“You sought him out? Even after you were told to stay away from the Devildom? You looked for it anyway, despite knowing doing so was putting not only yourself but your mother and siblings in danger?” Lucifer loved his daughter dearly, but he wouldn’t hold back his anger.
“There was never any danger from the Devildom. Dia wouldn’t let anything from his kingdom hurt me or our family.” Rebekah rebutted.
“How long? How long have you been fucking my daughter, Diavolo?” Lucifer asked, a sneer on his face. He was avoiding looking at Rebekah now. Diavolo sighed.
“I am so sorry this is hurting you, Lucifer. That was never my intention. I never meant to fall in love with her, but how could I not? Do you really fault me for loving her? We’ve only just consummated our love, but she found her way to me about a year ago.” Diavolo answered.
“You’ve let her put all of us in danger for a year?” Lucifer speaking softly was even scarier than when he screamed.
“As Rebekah said, I would never let anything hurt her or any of you.”
“And you think it won’t hurt her to see you stay the same as she ages? What made you think the two of you could be together?”
“Lucifer, I don’t think you understand what’s happened. I didn’t merely sleep with your daughter. She is my bride. When we made love our magics merged. Her full powers are unleashed. Our magic is forever entwined, and together we will be stronger than any other being in the three realms. Our love brought all the barriers down, and our love will bring about the peace I’ve sought all these long years. Rebekah has changed at a fundamental level. We will age together at an equal rate. We will heal one another. We will strengthen one another. We will be together always.” As the implications of his words began to sink in, a crack of lightning tore through the skies above the cabin. The entire cabin shook with the force of it, and I heard Lillian scream.
Standing in the center of the living room was a man… no, an angel. I had only ever heard of him, but I knew it was Michael. It was true. He and Lucifer could be twins. Well, at one point I’m sure the resemblance was far greater. With his blond locks he also closely resembled Satan, but he wore a golden eye patch over his left eye. It wasn’t his only embellishment. He wore prosthetics crafted of precious metals, and it made him look more robotic than angelic. The grimace on his face was purely evil. He stalked in a jerky manner across the floor to where Lucifer stood staring at him in disbelief. That metallic arm thrust forward to grasp Lucifer’s neck, and I didn’t think. I only acted. I charged at the archangel, throwing myself at him in hopes of making him lose his balance. Before I even made contact he threw a magic attack my way. I was blinded by a flash of light that hit me like a large hand. I was tossed back, hitting the floor and rolling into the wall with the momentum. I couldn’t see. The light was bright enough to temporarily completely blind me. It didn’t stop me from crawling toward where I thought Michael still stood.
The front door burst inward, and more voices joined the fray. “Hey, MC, time to split. Go with Luke and Simeon. They’ll keep ya an’ yer kids safe.” I heard a familiar voice tell me.
“Mammon? Lucifer! Save Lucifer!” I begged him.
“I’m on it. Just go with Luke.” He told me. I felt hands on my arms, and even as I was moved along my vision started to return. Simeon and Luke had herded me, Lillian and Peter into Johnny’s room. The two angels worked together to build a shield around the room. A moment later Mammon was pushing Lucifer through the doorway to join us. “He’ll be fine. I gotta go help out Lord D and his lady.” Mammon dashed off.
********
This was all wrong. Even as Michael choked the breath out of Lucifer, he realized the magic essence he’d detected wasn’t coming from Lucifer. In fact, Lucifer was nothing but a fragile, aging human now. He growled as he tossed the unconscious body aside. He searched the room, and his eyes fell upon a woman. She stood at the side of the demon prince of the Devildom. “YOU! You stole Lucifer’s magic? What kind of being are you?” He asked, trying but unable to discern her makeup. “A witch?” He tilted his head and reached out a tendril of magic to try to probe her.
“She’s my queen, and that is all you need to know.” Diavolo stepped up. He clasped onto the woman’s hand.
“Your queen? Always so melodramatic!” Michael rolled his only eye. “You’re still a weakling pup! You don’t deserve to have a queen.” He caught movement on his blind side by catching a reflection on the glass doors beside him. Mammon was here, too? He was scooping up Lucifer’s prone body and disappearing with him. “Mammon! Finally! I already tried killing you once. Simeon and Luke aren’t here to protect you this time.” Michael called out to the demon brother.
“Funny you should think that, Michael.” Along with Mammon, both Simeon and Luke returned from a warded part of the house they were in. Michael knew they would expect him to attack them, so he didn’t. Instead he summoned up the most brutally strong of his physical magic attacks, and he aimed it at the warded off room.
“Ever heard of not putting all your eggs in one basket?” He chuckled. Before the magical attack could obliterate the room and its occupants, Mammon counteracted it. He never had been good at casting spells, but he excelled at repelling them. His talent doubled when he needed to defend someone else. Most of the magic was sent veering through the wall of windows, turning them into pebbles of glass. Some of it got through and left a gash in the timbers of the wall.
“Michael! That’s enough! Diavolo had transformed into his demon form, and the woman beside him had transformed as well. From the left side of her head a black horn reminiscent of Lucifer’s curled. Hovering over the right side of her head was half a halo. She had a single set of wings, but the left was black as coal and the right a pristine white. A black diamond pulsated with magic on her forehead between her eyes. Along her arms she had the same golden markings as Diavolo. She floated a few inches from the floor, and her eyes had turned completely blood red. What the fuck was she?
********
My vision returned, but it was yet spotty. I didn’t care. I had my husband in my arms. I patted his jaw, trying to rouse him. There were purpling finger marks around his neck. “Mom, is he breathing?” Lillian asked me, her voice shaking with her tears.
“He’ll be okay, Lil. It’s Dad. He’s the strongest guy we know, right?” Johnny soothed his sister. Lucifer’s breathing was shallow, but I’d felt his neck. He had a strong pulse, and the bones felt intact.
“He’s breathing. He’s just being stubborn. You hear that, Luci? You’re scaring the kids. Come on. Wake up. We need to go help Rebekah.” There was a pop of light in the doorway, and I looked up to see Solomon standing there.
“I can help, but I can’t get past the shield Simeon and Luke built.” He told me. I didn’t hesitate. I started lugging Lucifer across the floor. Johnny hurried over and lifted his father in his arms. He walked through the doorway, and as soon as he crossed the barrier Solomon laid a hand on Lucifer’s forehead and chanted a healing spell. Later I would have my laugh at the face Lucifer made upon realizing he was being carried princess style by his own son. For now, we urged Johnny back into the room and ran to Rebekah’s aid.
I wasn’t prepared for the scene unfolding in my living room. My daughter was in some combination of an angelic and demonic form. She and Diavolo had hemmed Michael in within the circle of their wings. He was on his knees, a defiant look on his face as Diavolo slowly crushed his throat. It made a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach. For all Michael had done he deserved punishment, but I didn’t want to see anyone die. I clutched at Lucifer’s forearm. “Look.” He pointed out. Coming into the cabin through the shattered back windows were Lucifer’s brothers. I hadn’t seen them in twenty years. None of them looked at us. They all watched to see what Diavolo’s verdict would be.
In the end, it was Rebekah who decided. As Diavolo held him in place, Rebekah reached forth her right hand. She held it against Michael’s chest, and a white light glowed from her palm. As we all watched, the prosthetics fell away as Michael grew whole again. Mostly whole. Diavolo’s fingers dug into the flesh of his throat and extracted his Grace. Rebekah immediately healed the damage. Michael crumpled completely to the floor. He curled into a ball, sobbing and apologizing.
“She healed even the bitterness in his heart.” Solomon sounded awed.
********
It was finally done. Barbatos led the Demon King into the cabin. At first no one noticed them. They all watched Michael. “I’m sorry, I’m so sorry!” Barbatos’ own heart hurt to hear his child in such agony. He weaved his way past the humans, angels and demons to kneel at Michael’s side. With a thought he shifted into his true form as the Creator. He heard the gasps of surprise around the room, but his attention was focused on Michael.
“My child. Do you repent of your sins?” Michael slowly raised his head, a look of utter shock on his beautiful face.
“Father? You’re here!”
“I am. I was always near. I am sorry I put such a burden on you, and I am sorry you felt abandoned. I am here now.” He caressed Michael’s golden locks.
“I’m sorry, Father. I tried… I tried… forgive me, please.” Barbatos leaned down to press a kiss to Michael’s forehead.
“You are forgiven, my child. Live the remainder of your life here in the Human World. Be a human and learn how to be humble and how to love and be loved.” Barbatos bade him. He nodded, tears marring his handsome face. Barbatos stood up and faced Simeon. He withdrew the long secreted away box containing Simeon’s Grace. “My child? You have served me well. It is time to become whole once more.” Simeon looked baffled.
“Father? You were Barbatos all along?” He nodded.
“In order to bring about the peace we all longed for I had to make a plan with the Demon King. To shape the young master into the next Demon King he needed to be raised with a goodness his father didn’t have. I vowed to teach him that path, and the Demon King agreed to go dormant until today.” Diavolo was watching his father with a wary eye.
“What makes today special?” Diavolo asked, not once taking his eyes off the Demon King. As Barbatos restored Simeon’s Grace, the Demon King cast a grin at his son.
“Today is the day I give over my kingdom to you fully. I will give you the remainder of my magic. You will ascend to the throne with your bride at your side.” Diavolo’s eyes were rimmed with tears he refused to shed, and his throat bobbed with the effort.
“And what will happen to you once you do that? You won’t leave me again, will you?”
“You truly did inherit your mother’s tender, human heart… and her auburn hair. You got my eyes at least.” The Demon King smirked. “I will be just a typical demon once I give you my magic. If you want me puttering about the Castle I wouldn’t mind being your advisor.”
“You’ll really stay?” Diavolo looked like the young boy he’d been when Barbatos first came to the Devildom.
“That’s the part you picked up? Not the truth of your mother’s heritage?” The Demon King questioned. Diavolo lowered his head.
“In honesty, I had suspected my mother was human. When I first met MC I felt a kind of resonance. It was even more evident in Rebekah. I realized it was our mixed blood.”
“HUH?!” It was Mammon who broke the solemn mood of the room. “THAT’S Rebekah? That’s the same little pipsqueak who found her way into the Devildom?!” Rebekah was still in her Omega form, but she suddenly smiled.
“Mammon, right? My father’s brother?” Before Mammon could even make his way to Rebekah, Asmodeus let out a squeal. Pandemonium ensued.
********
The cabin should’ve felt too small for the crowd that had gathered. It only felt happy and comfortable. Simeon, Luke, Barbatos and I were in the kitchen making food for everyone. Lucifer was gathered with his brothers for the first time in twenty years. He was introducing them all to our kids.
Rebekah and Diavolo sat side by side, hands still clasped. They’d reverted back to their human forms, though not before her siblings had seen her in what Barbatos called her Omega form. Diavolo and his father spoke together, even as Rebekah was distracted by her father and her uncles. Michael sat on the ottoman before the fireplace, staring listlessly at the flames. Luke poked his elbow into my side. “Rebekah, where’s the broom and dustpan? I will go clean up the glass.” He offered.
“Luke, let me. Why don’t you take some food to Michael.” Simeon suggested and handed him a plate with a slice of bundt cake on it. Luke nodded, understanding. Simeon gave me a wink, grabbed the broom and left the kitchen on Luke’s heels. When I turned back to the food prep I had tears in my eyes.
“That is why you had to be Rebekah’s mother, you know.” Barbatos told me as he plated another slice of bundt cake. I cocked my head to the side in question. “Your compassion. You feel sorry for Michael, despite his sins. You’re happy he was forgiven. You’re happy your daughter and her mate acted with love and kindness.” He explained.
“She really will be okay, won’t she?” I asked him. He gave me the biggest smile I’d ever seen him wear.
“She will be the mother of this new world.”
“She’ll have to live in the Devildom.”
“You quite enjoyed your time there, as I recall. Besides, the barriers are gone. The threat against your family is gone. You will all be reunited permanently. Rebekah living in the Devildom will be no different than her living in the next town over. Your life will only become more full with the addition of Lucifer’s brothers coming and going. In fact, I might add to the cabin while I’m here.” Barb looked around him thoughtfully, as if already rearranging the layout of my home. He blinked his eyes, and the cabin rumbled. Everyone tensed and looked around in shock at the suddenly larger living room.
“You really are… HIM, aren’t you?” I asked. He had reverted back to the form I knew the best, a demon butler. He gave me that enigmatic smile.
“I’m a simple creator. I didn’t put much thought into my creations. I made what made me happy without taking into account what would make THEM happy. I’ve worked for a very long time to rectify that. As Rebekah and Diavolo grow their magic will grow, too. They will set the wrong things right. You saw her undo the Erasure spell, did you not? That is a power beyond my own.” A fuzzy memory prickled at my brain.
“Wait… wasn’t there a pharmacist?” I tried to recall the details. I knew Lucifer had accidentally Erased someone. It was the impetus of the war between the Celestial Realm and the Devildom. Are you saying Rebekah can fix that?”
“Time will only tell, but I believe so. Between the two of them peace will grow within all three realms. Their children will carry on the tradition.”
“Speaking of children… MC, I was hoping you’d allow me to remain here at the cabin with you, Lucifer and the kids. I know I should return to the Celestial Realm, but Luke’s all grown up now. Lillian is at that difficult age between childhood and adulthood, and Peter is still so young yet. I… I hate leaving them behind.” Simeon asked. I hadn’t even thought about him having to leave now that the threat was gone.
“Oh, please don’t leave! I’d have lost my mind without you helping us raise the kids!” Simeon chuckled, and turned to Barbatos.
“Father? Is it okay?”
“Of course, my child. I will be returning to the Celestial Realm after the Royal Wedding.”
“Oh… does Diavolo know?” I asked. Barb leaving would devastate him.
“I will speak to him about it. I hope we will work together frequently to build the peace between the realms. Valefor will take over my post as butler. Diavolo will need the time alone with his own father to get to know him. Not to mention he’ll have his bride to distract him.”
“Oh my god, I just realized I’m going to be Diavolo’s mother-in-law, and that will make Lucifer’s brothers his uncles. OH! Shit! Barbatos, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to take your name in vain right in front of you!” I clapped a hand to my mouth. Barbatos only chuckled.
“You don’t have to call me that. I grew partial to being Uncle Barbie.” He assured me.
“Good, because the kids love you so much.”
“The feeling is mutual.” Solomon sauntered into the kitchen.
“Nice work expanding the cabin.” He told Barbatos. Barb inclined his head in thanks. “Do you need any help preparing the food?” Solomon asked. Nearly as one, everyone in the cabin responded.
“NO!”