“Will I be able to enter Heofon?”
“You are an earthbound angel now, no longer fallen. Use your power wisely, Morningstar. I’m just glad you finally found your destined light.”
Luc frowned. "Destined?”
Metatron smiled a slightly devious smile. “Elaina, Katia’s name given to her by Uriel at her birth — Elaina means light,” he said with a wink, then disappeared in a flash.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Luc stood on the parapet of the gothic castle gazing down at Katia as she played her violin in the courtyard. He still couldn’t believe his luck. In the past few weeks, the frenzy around them had died down, and they were finally alone in their new home. The castle wasn’t exactly low-key, but there was a coven of powerful witches nearby that had weaved all kinds of magic to keep them safe. He didn’t even pretend to understand it. As long as Katia was safe, that was all that mattered. It was probably good they had such a large home 'cause Luc had a sneaking suspicion they would be having a lot of houseguests. Some of the fallen had crashed with them already, along with Sergei and Amir.
None of the fallen really knew what had happened, but when Luc's connection to Satan had been severed, they had all been freed. Luc had regained his wings, but he was the only one...not that anyone was complaining. Priorities, right? Luc turned his head into the driving wind and letting it whip through his hair. The possibilities open to him were mind-blowing. He couldn't wait to explore them all with Katia by his side. Luc stretched his wings to their full span and stepped off the ledge, allowing his body to glide gracefully on the wind as he angled left and right, finally dipping down to spiral into an easy landing a few feet away from Katia. She put her violin down and looked at him with sparkling eyes and laughed delightedly.
“I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to watching you jump off roofs.”
“It’s not a roof, it’s a parapet. And you’re going to have to join me one of these times,” Luc replied with a teasing smile.
“Smartass,” Katia replied as she made her way over to give him a quick kiss.
“Yeah, but you love me anyhow…Heofon knows why,” Luc laughed back.
“Apparently there's something to be said for destiny, right?” Katia smiled. “But seriously...I can't imagine spending eternity with anyone else.”
“You don't just want me for my stunning good looks.” Luc struck a modelesque pose and waggled his eyebrows.
Katia burst out laughing. “Yeah, you’re passable,” she said with a wink.
“Now who’s the smartass,” Luc replied. He pointed over to her violin that lay resting on one of the wrought iron garden benches. “That was a lovely piece you were playing.”
Katia’s smile faltered. “Thanks. The violin seems to be the outlet for my feelings about Keir...” She trailed off.
Luc stepped forward and drew her into his arms, holding her tight. “We’ll find a way to get him back. I promise you. I won’t ever stop trying to find a way.” Katia rested her head on Luc’s chest and he breathed in the scent of her shampoo, something so small that he could never live without. "Why don’t we take a little adventure? I know exactly what will put a smile on your gorgeous face.”
Katia peered up at him coyly through her lashes. “Do you now?”
Luc gave her a wolfish grin. “Have you ever wanted to join the mile-high club?” With a great whoosh, Luc propelled them into the air, holding Katia tightly against him, her squeal of laughter music to his ears as they climbed higher and higher. Looking down at her radiantly-smiling face, Luc realized he didn’t know what the future held for them, but he knew one thing was true…amor vincit omnia. Love truly does conquer all.
The end.
Coming Soon...
Baal heaved a sigh and pushed a hand through his hair as he shoved his way out the side door of the apartment building and entered the alley. He felt the familiar sensation of his stomach rolling as he cleared the doorway. It was always like this, he’d go home with one of the demons he’d picked up at The Advocate — fuck their brains out, then sneak out the back door fighting to keep his dinner down. He’d been stuck on repeat for centuries now, but the nausea still seemed to sneak up on him and kick his ass. B leaned back against the brick wall of the building and hunched forward, resting his hands on his knees as he desperately sucked air into his lungs in a bid to slow down the roller coaster in his abdomen. He chuckled bitterly. This was all so ridiculous.
He’d started his existence as an angel, light and pure, with majestic wings he’d used to soar through the skies. He’d had few cares and fewer problems; that was, until he’d helped lead a rebellion. He and his closest friends had been responsible for the deaths of many of their kind, which had led to their fall. As if falling wasn’t bad enough, things for B had only gotten worse from there. He’d been found by demons — naked and injured from the removal of his wings — and held captive for close to a century. All manner of abuses had been heaped upon him, leaving him battered and bruised in both mind and body.
He’d spent as much time since trying to erase the awful memories — being the best fighter, screwing the most women, joking around all the time. But at the end of the day, B knew the truth. He wasn’t just damaged; he was broken beyond repair. He’d already forgotten tonight’s distraction’s name…if he’d even bothered to ask. All he knew for sure was that she’d had red hair. Not the flaming, madly-curling mane he dreamed of, but as close as he could get.
B closed his eyes and
