Page 110 of Lucifer's Redemption

Calm, that was my middle name. Once I banned the other gods from visiting, I commenced work with my newer creations, keeping my hands busy. Since then, I have created the most fascinating creatures which many humans would consider ‘monsters.’

It helped me forget, helped me wipe away the thoughts of sitting the stomach of Kronos. Gritting my teeth, I swiped the many piles of drawings off my desk, scattering them to the floor.

Letting out large breaths, I tried not to recall the darkness or the burn in my legs I often felt when I remembered it. The heaving of my breaths became ragged, banging the desk with my fist as I fought it away.

For the first time in ages, I felt calm, all for it to rush back to me once Uriel’s hand vanished. Uriel’s gift was phenomenal, how the oceans in my heart calmed in an instant, but it wasn’t enough. It was too deeply imbedded into my brain to be removed that quickly—not thousands of years’ worth of turmoil. It was not feasible to be rid of such an issue that easily.

Walking to the corner cabinet filled with various bottles of whisky, I gazed upon them in malice. They were gifts from fellow gods that wished to harm the humans. I had not once partaken in such a vile substance, but even now, I felt my gut being wrenched from my body.

With a shaky hand, I lifted the decorative shot glass, pouring a shot of whisky. My hand shook, causing the dreadful, amber liquid to spill from the brim. Touching it to my lips, I swung it down in one gulp, letting the burn fill my insides.

Repulsive. The burn trailed to my stomach, and now I could feel it all over my body.

Slamming the shot glass down, I sat in the overly-stuffed rocking chair to my right. The shark leather soothed my skin as I rubbed it absentmindedly.Too many years I have hidden. My underwater wonderland would soon seek the light sources above the waters. Some creatures craved the lighted orbs of the night and day. I couldn’t keep them here forever.

My will to keep them safe was too strong now. Someone, or something, was out there. I felt it in the deepest parts of the ocean, in the curling of the tides, and in the wind that Zeus had no control over. Why was he not in control?

Something was there, causing the whitecaps of the ocean to crash into the shorelines of both realms. Using erosion to eat away the soil. I wasn’t in control of it, and Hades knew.

Hades had a better understanding of how things worked. I often wondered why he never took to the skies as High God, but he had his reasons. Hades understood that all realms stood at risk.

Standing and walking to the window, I overlooked my kingdom. It was vast, filled with sea life that did not need the denseness of the waters. They had enough oxygen in the humid climate that I created so that both air and water dwellers could thrive here I smiled, watching the gardeners plant more kelp by the fountains.

It was peaceful here, and I wanted to keep it that way—away from the drama of the gods. Once this evil was defeated, I could return to my daily routine.

Gentle rapping at the door let me know Silas was at the door. His soft tentacles hooked to the door, letting go with the suction cup's popping sound. “Come in Silas,” I waved him in, picking up the papers off the floor. I had so many more ideas since seeing Loki’s wings appear. I had not thought of creating creatures of the sky like I once did.

“Master, are you feeling better?” Silas came to help pick up the papers, but I waved him off. “This is my mess. Just leave it.” I chuckled, putting them into a pile on the desk.

“Your guests are tucked away in their rooms. They wish to rest for the afternoon.” I sighed in relief at not having them wander the palace grounds while I continued to get my head straight.

“Thank you, Silas. You may go rest as well. I’m sure they will keep us busy later.” Walking to the bed, I sat on the end, scratching my head, thinking a nap was in order to reset my social bar. Silas continued to stare at me, not walking to the door.

“What is it, Silas? Something troubles you?” I pulled the blanket to my lap, looking at him blankly.

“Master, may I speak freely?” I chuckled, shaking my head. “Of course, you can. You always can around me; you know this.” Silas shook his head, looking at his tentacles.

“This might anger you, and I do not wish to do so.” Standing up, I put my hand on his shoulder. The softness of his opaque skin did not repulse me in the slightest.

“You are my closest creation. You could never upset me.” Squeezing his shoulder, I urged him on. “In fact, would you like a drink?” I pointed to the partially cracked shot glass. The bottle was still uncorked. “It doesn’t taste great,” I coughed at the remembrance. Silas only shook his head.

“What are mates, Master?”

That, I was not expecting.

Taking a heavy breath and exhaling slowly, I pinched my nose before walking away. The glass window fogged from my heavy breath streaming across the cool surface. “I was hoping you would never ask,” I said guiltily.

Turning my head, I saw Silas tilted his head to the side, his tentacles drooping. “Where did you hear this?” I muttered.

“The female.” I hummed in recognition.

Of course he would have heard it from her. She was as innocent as they come and didn’t know social norms—when to speak and when to keep one’s mouth closed—any better than I did, but this, I knew to keep my mouth shut about.

“Mates,” I muttered, fiddling with my pencil, “are another part of your soul—a match,” I whispered. “Lucifer and Uriel are each other’ssoulmates. They complement each other; they balance each other. Think about it: the God of Destruction and the Goddess of Innocence. Without each other, their personalities and their powers could not be evened out. You love your other half, you take care of them, and you crave them.” I put my pencil back in the pencil-holder cup.

“Does Master have a mate?” Silas’ eyes blinked several times, waiting for my reply.

“I might, somewhere. I’m pretty broken though—you know that.” Silas shook his head.

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