Page 120 of Lucifer's Redemption

She mumbled something incoherent as I sat us down in the hot water. Stirring slightly, her eyes fluttered.

“Bubbles,” she mumbled in the most blasé tone. I chuckled, rubbing my hand through my hair.

Next time then.

Washing her body thoroughly—her hair, her arms, and between her legs—I made especially sure to soap up her ample breasts. A good handful and my cock instantly jumped to life.

Counting to ten, I calmed myself before reheating the water with my hands so she could soak her aching muscles. I lowered us both into the steamy water. She was neck-deep, straddling my waist as I laid her head on my chest. Her soft little pants tickled me as my calloused hands rubbed the side of her head.

If someone told me months ago that I would find my mate and fall madly in love, insanely fast, I would have called them crazy.

The darkness within me was too much for most women, but lo and behold, I didn’t have a woman—I had a damn innocent girl prance into my life, turning it upside down.

Uriel hummed, wrapping her arms around my body. Kissing the top of her head, I had a terrible realization:Uriel’s symbol is a lamb.It sits with its legs folded underneath itself, looking straight at the person before it.

What if she was the sacrificial lamb, not her gift of innocence?

What if she is the sacrifice that is required to save the innocence of the realms and the Celestial Kingdom.

Gripping her tightly, I threw the thought away.Surely, she could not be—she could not be the sacrifice needed to keep the prophecy at bay.

I had her now. I would protect her, and with the Fates warning, I will be prepared. I’d keep my mate hidden away, away from the evil that ‘lurks in the sky’—as her dream indicated.

The torches in the bathroom flickered; a blowing wind chilled the room.

“Hello?” I growled out.

Uriel continued to sleep in my arms unfazed, but the presence I felt in the room now was different. The entire atmosphere changed. Picking up Uriel, and letting my wet body drip across the floor, I covered my mate with a towel and carried her to our bedroom.

Entering our bedroom, I found the lights were out and only the bioluminescence from the garden outside shone.

“Lucifer?” My body stilled, turning slowly toward the voice. It was, none other than, my father.

“Shit, son why the hell are you naked in a dream?” Father covered his eyes, quickly turning around.

Clutching Uriel tightly, I carried her to the bed, tucking her in. Then, I returned to the bathroom to retrieve a towel for myself.

“The hell is wrong with you? Creeping the shit out of me in a dream? Why didn’t you just link me?” I shook the excess water from my hair.

My father walked closer to the bed, but with my quick reflexes, I pushed his chest and shoved him away from her. He landed on the opposite side of the room, rubbing his head, seemingly unaffected, and stepped away from the now dented wall.

“Ah, you have mated. Congratulations.” His smile lit up the room, and my fist which was ablaze softened to black. “I’m proud of you.”

He kept his distance until I ran to him and hugged him. He paused briefly, only to grip me back with a tightness that I’ve longed to feel since I was a child. I wasn’t angry; I wasn’t having trouble controlling my anger, and the deep darkness within my soul was gone. Uriel had filled it with light.

Don’t get me wrong, though, I’ll still kill a fucker.

“As a joyous of an occasion as this is, I’m afraid I bring disturbing news.” We released our embrace, but my father kept both hands on my shoulders. “The Twelve have been called to assemble to help rule judgment against Hera and Michael… Uriel is expected to be there.”

Chapter 51

Lucifer

“Excuseme?”Igrittedmy teeth, feeling a burn in the back of my throat.

“I didn’t link you because I can’t, Lucifer. There is a ward restricting communication inside the Celestial Palace. I’m not sure who created it, but I need you to get a message to Ares. Ares and Mariah haven’t slept, so I haven’t been able to reach them, and I need to get a message to him.” My father paced away, rubbing his stubbly chin. “I need them to check Tartarus”—Father paused, glancing over his shoulder—“to see if Kronos is still locked in his cell.”

My mouth fell open at his words. “You don’t think…?”