Page 48 of The Road to Hell

“You never learned,” I said, shaking my head. “If anyone else had pulled half the stunts you did, they’d have been dead in days.”

“They tried,” she murmured, her voice growing softer. “But I always had you to bail me out.”

And she always would.

Her eyes slipped closed again, this time staying shut for a bit longer. Her head rested against the wall, but her breathing slowed and her body gradually sank into relaxation. The tension she carried like armor started to ease.

I watched her, my gaze lingering on the peaceful expression that rarely graced her face. Her head tilted, almost imperceptibly, until it found my shoulder. For a heartbeat, she stayed there, unmoving. Then she let out a soft, contented sigh and leaned in fully, her hair brushing against my neck.

Her breathing deepened, slow and steady, her body going completely slack against mine. I glanced down, catching the way her lashes rested against her cheek, her face calm for the first time since we’d arrived in Hell.

I held perfectly still, afraid to disturb her. I wouldn’t move. Not until she woke up or we had to leave. For now, I’d let her rest. She needed it more than she’d ever admit.

I leaned my head back against the wall, the cooler stone biting into my skin a welcome contrast to the heat that clung to everything else. My gaze lingered on the entrance, scanning for movement in the shadows, the instinct to protect never fully letting go.

Movementdidcatch my attention, but from the edge of the pool. Eliza, still leaning on the stone ledge, stared at us. The corners of her mouth curved into a massive grin, and she gave me two very exaggerated thumbs up, her expression practically glowing with smug satisfaction.

I narrowed my eyes at her, my lips twitching despite myself. I raised one finger in warning—a silent message that saidnot a word.

Her grin only widened as she winked and settled back into the pool, the liquid rippling around her.

I shook my head, but the warmth of her amusement lingered, mixing with the steady rhythm of Lily’s breathing beside me. I let out a slow breath, then wrapped an arm around Lily’s waist and pilled her closer.

For the first time since we’d entered Hell, I felt something akin to peace.

ChapterThirteen

RATHIEL

I let myself drift. Rest.

I shouldn’t have—Hell was no place to relax or seek comfort. But with Lily warm against my side, her head on my shoulder, her breathing deep and even, I didn’t fight it. I’d wanted this—craved it—since the moment I found her again. And now, with her leaning against me, trusting me enough to sleep,I wasn’t about to move.

She needed this. Maybe more than I did.

My arm loosened around her waist, my fingers brushing her hip. She stirred, barely, but instead of pulling away, she pressed closer, tucking against me like she used to before all this happened. I let my head tilt toward her, resting it against hers. A slow, steady breath left me, soothing a tightness in my chest.

After ten years of torture, this had to be Heaven. And right now, in the quiet stillness of the cave, I allowed myself to have it.

The world outside the cave didn’t exist. Not the rebellion, not the Fallen, not even Lucifer’s looming presence. Right now, there was justthis. Us. The press of her body against mine, the quiet trust in the way she didn’t pull away.

I didn’t deserve this, but I would protect it—her—with everything I had.

Lily sighed, the sound drawing to mind memories of us sleeping like this. I breathed her in, letting myself believe that this moment could last forever.

“Incoming!” Vol’s shout split the quiet like a blade.

Lily instantly snapped awake, already reaching for her weapons.

The imp barreled toward us, then launched himself at my chest, his fingers digging into my shirt as he scrambled to climb. Lily launched to her feet, her blades already in hand, eyes scanning the cave entrance. I grabbed my sword and rose to my feet.

Eliza cursed and scrambled out of the pool, liquid sloshing. She yanked her base layers back on, then reached for her weapons.

“Hellspawn,” Vol panted.

Relief coursed through me. For a moment, I’d feared the worst—that Lucifer had found us.

“Vol, get Purrgy out of here,” Lily ordered, hellfire sheathing Inferno’s Kiss.

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