Page 100 of Hell Gate

“Let me down.”

“Lily—”

“For real, I’ve got this.”

Reluctantly, he complies. I push up the sleeves of my sweater and adjust my tits. Alder rumbles at my side, prepared to jump in front of me. He doesn’t yet, trusting me to handle myself. I send him reassurance that I know what to do along our bond.

When the dragon-like creature with antlers charges the cliff, I fling my arms out, sending a strong gale of flames and hot air arcing out. It forces the isillion back and burns holes in its wings.

“Do you know who I am, beasty?” It screeches, circling around to try again and I grin. “I am Lily, bearer of the goddess Lilith’s blood. Now sit the fuck down.”

I build a fireball in my hand that grows larger as I spread my hands. The corner of my mouth kicks up as I send it flying with perfect accuracy. It hits the creature in the chest with enough force to make it fall several feet in the air until it recovers. It retreats, flapping its injured wings with an angry groan. It leaves us alone.

“See?” I turn to Alder with a triumphant smile. “Be the bigger baddie.”

He shakes his head, clamping the back of my neck and hauling me close for a hard kiss. “I love you, you wild, fierce girl.”

“I know.” I hum and kiss him again. “Can I still get that piggyback ride?”

* * *

Nine Years Later

Valerian’s fingertipslightly tracing the inside of my wrist, playing with my shifting tattoos that match the abstract ones covering his arms, distracts me from the demon council’s discussion. He doesn’t miss a beat, smirking at me before he interjects with his thoughts.

“We should think about the future. It’s always best to consider all possible outcomes rather than wait for seeds of doubt to sow. Anticipating those outcomes helps us foster peace throughout the underworld.”

Lucifer chuckles, chin propped against his fist in his throne, overseeing the meeting. “Sharp as ever, Valerian.”

“Your Highness.” Vale bows his head.

Whatever is said next goes over my head when he continues drawing lazy patterns on my sensitive skin. It takes me another moment to realize it’s letters.

I love you. Over and over.

I peek at him through my lashes while Alder and another warrior demon on the council carry the discussion. His lips twitch.

Finally caught on, did you?He sends the words into my mind. I duck to hide my smile from the council. The last time I was caught flirting with my mates during a meeting, Vale made a bet with me that I couldn’t sit through a whole meeting without getting distracted by them.

This so doesn’t count because you’re distracting me, not the other way around, I sass through our bond.Also, I love you.

His mouth curves and he traces the secret message into my skin again.

When the meeting ends, Valerian takes my hand and the four of us return to our home in Hell. It overlooks a pearlescent lavender lake with a balcony terrace where we’ve spent many nights enjoying each other and the view. I no longer fear water and my past can’t hurt me anymore. I’ve overwritten all my bad memories with thousands of good ones with my mates by my side.

Between my many bookshelves packed with manga and a vast collection of books, we’ve covered the walls with photos of our travels, the little camera Matthias gifted me with working overtime to capture our memories—adventures exploring the underworld realm, traveling the mortal world three times over, and perfect little moments in between of our life together.

I stop in front of the portrait of all four of us that Matthias got enlarged. It’s much like a dream I had once where they surrounded me on a throne. I’ve never wanted to be the queen of Hell, but Lucifer and his wife goaded me into sitting there during one of their opulent parties. My guys surrounded me as they did in that dream, taking their places at my side always, never leaving me alone. It’s the only way it should ever be.

Matthias squeezes my shoulders. “Want to sit out on the balcony? The stars are sparkling off the lake and I got you something.”

I smirk, catching the hint of mischief in his tone. “What are you up to?”

He tucks my hand in the crook of his elbow and escorts me outside. Grasping my waist, he boosts me onto the stone banister and fits himself between my legs, plucking at the suspenders of my corduroy skirt.

“I still remember when I first saw you wearing this,” he rasps against my lips.

Pulling away from the kiss, he produces a small, plastic-wrapped treat. I turn it over and lift my brows.

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