Page 228 of Crimson Promises
My lips curled back. “How many times do I need to tell you I will not be your wife.”
“One would think if you felt such a strong opposition, you wouldn’t go around declaring yourself as my betrothed and future queen of my realm.”
I threw my hands up in the air. “I had no choice. Your demon guardian or whateverthatwas refused to fetch you otherwise.”
“They will soon be your demon guardians.”
“You’re missing the point.”
“And that is?”
“I had no choice but to use that revolting title to get access to you.”
“Is it truly that revolting to think of being wed to me? Think of all the time we would have to entertain each other with such scintillating activities.” He arched an eyebrow in challenge.
“Yes. It is.”
“Your answer will change.” He folded his hands behind his head and somehow looked even more relaxed.
“Ok. Sure. Whatever.” I rocked on the heels of my feet. As much as I wanted to hear the answer to the question I had to ask, I also didn’t want to listen to the answer to the question I asked.
His voice, a low and intoxicating drawl, sent shivers down my spine, "Did you summon me because you missed me, Aurora?"
My voice emerged stronger than I felt, though tinged with annoyance, "Don't be so full of yourself. I wanted answers, not your insufferable company."
A dark brow arched mockingly. "So curt? But your eyes betray you."
Refusing to be baited, I crossed the room, my steps purposeful, and stopped short of him. "I want to know what happened to Ben. Now."
He straightened, the playful facade melting away. "I'd tread carefully if I were you. Some questions are better left unanswered."
Swallowing hard, I persisted, the rawness of my emotions laid bare. "You tossed me back into the mortal world while he was still lying on the cold floor. What did you do?"
His gaze darkened, flickering with irritation... and was that guilt? "Your safety was the deal, Aurora. I kept my end. What happened after that... is not my tale to tell."
My vision blurred momentarily with unshed tears. "Is he gone? Because of me?" I whispered, the weight of guilt pressing down.
For a fleeting moment, his facade cracked, revealing a genuine anguish. "He chose his path. With eyes wide open. I can only share that he left my chambers when you did. That is all.”
Where did he go?
I felt a rush of anger, eyes ablaze. "How can I just continue? After everything? Without him?" A humorless laugh bubbled from my throat. “Live my life? Now that everything has changed. When I don’t have Ben or any guidance on what’s become of me?”
“Aurora,” Lucifer said sharply, pointing a finger in my direction, "leave things be."
I met his gaze, my entire being alight with defiance. "Never."
Something flashed in his eyes—desire, anger, concern—and before I knew it, he had closed the distance between us. His fingers brushed my chin, tilting it upwards. The touch was light but left a trail of fire in its wake.
"Be careful what you wish for," he murmured, his lips hovering dangerously close to mine. I felt their warmth, and every instinct screamed at me to close the gap, to lose myself in his embrace.
But the moment was shattered when he stepped back, leaving me yearning and frustrated.
"Don't summon me again," he warned, voice rough.
He began to fade, his figure blurring at the edges, but not before leaving me with a parting line, "I'll be seeing you soon, wife."
And just like that, he was gone.
