Page 57 of Lucifer's Redemption

TheroombrightenedasUriel and I walked up from behind Zeus. I haven’t had the pleasure of being this close to him in person, but that was for his own safety.

My father was the firstborn of the gods, swallowed up by Kronos himself. It was only because Zeus was hidden by Rhea, their mother, that Zeus became strong enough to battle Kronos, once his powers had fully emerged.

Father, being the firstborn, was, in fact, stronger than Zeus, but sitting in the stomach of Kronos for many years had soiled him. He didn’t want to deal with his depression and rule over the gods. Zeus willingly took the position, saying ‘he was the one who started it all,’ thus giving him the power of the High God.

Most of the gods hated him and just tolerated his antics.

Zeus had been quiet for many years, especially since Hera found her mate, Michael. It broke him. He was trying to win Hera back after his many infidelities while they were together, but Hera was no fool. She fell in love with Michael even before a bond united them, and she left Zeus in the dust to settle for the Celestial fairies in his bed. Of course, it did not soothe Zeus’ depression, but he hid it well.

Zeus gracing us with his presence at my sister’s baby announcement was a shock within itself. Many kept their distance, but a few hungry she-wolves and fairies dared to talk to him. He snubbed them, drinking his ambrosia as if he didn’t care for the female species. After my own isolation, being quiet for many years and merely observing those around me, I could see a change in Zeus. He was unlike the cocky, arrogant god that Father described many times. He was lonely and changing.

Hermes, the Messenger of the Gods, often graced the palace when he wasn’t with his mate, whom he lived with in Bergarian. Notes upon notes of inquiries whether Ember had even an inclining of the whereabouts of his mate. Hermes, sworn to secrecy, could not elaborate to anyone other than my mother. Father was enraged, but Hermes’ powers prevented him from defying the directives he was given when delivering secret messages amongst the gods.

Did Mother eventually tell Father? Of course, she did, and she told me as well.

Father hated Zeus. They fought often regarding the treatment of gods and demi-gods inflicting their evil tendencies upon the Earth. Zeus had tired of supervising them from his throne on the clouds above; he even let his angels slack, recalling the demi-gods from Earth and confining them to Father’s prison for their transgressions.

“She’s here,” Father growled while holding Mother.

He often did that. When he was angry, and nothing could sate his anger, he grabbed onto Mother like a lifeline. Something that I would have to do now that Uriel had somewhat accepted me.

Zeus turned around. His shoulder-length white hair swayed, and his short beard was ungroomed. His white designer suit, tight to show his muscles, nearly burst at the seams as he turned. Deep bags darkened his bloodshot eyes.

“Uriel,” he muttered. Uriel hid behind me, holding onto the back of my shirt. Her head peeked out from behind my arm. I couldn’t help but chuckle as her body leaned in close.

“It’s rude to not return a greeting,” I warned, pulling her arm with my hand. My fingers could wrap around her dainty arm twice if I wanted. Hesitating, she inched forward, her dress swinging around my leg as she clenched onto my arm.

“Hi, Mr. Zeus,” she mumbled, giving a small wave. I smiled down at my mate, who had already captured my heart.

“They?” Zeus pointed back and forth between the two of us.

My mother sat up proudly, nodding her head. She leaned over Father’s lap looking at me for confirmation that it was alright to proceed. I smiled at her, at which she grabbed Father’s hand, kissing his cheek.

“Yes, they are mates.” My mother beamed. “We are not announcing it to everyone because…” she trailed her voice, looking at me again for permission.

“She knows,” I exclaimed. “Uriel knows everything: the Fates visiting her parents, the prophecy—it has all been explained. She knows it all.” Uriel squeezed my hand, beaming with pride. The twitch in her chest that did not surface filled her cheeks with a bright pink glow, registering the honesty I exuded.

“That’s why I’m here.” Zeus turned to Father.

Father’s eyes narrowed, his fingers of one hand gripping his skull throne. “How do you know about the prophecy?” Father’s sharp nails slid across the skull.

“I’m the High God. Why would I not know?” he said cockily.

There it was, the little tick in his words towards Father, touting that Father couldn’t do a damn thing about it. Father could overthrow him easily, but not without a mess to deal with later.

“I knew the Fates visited someone, some goddess who was hidden from me for all these years and believe me, I have searched. I just couldn’t fathom that the one woman I trusted, who has worked under me all these years, would be the one who hid her.” Mother’s head leaned forward, undoubtedly trying to read Zeus’s aura. “Once I decided to give up on finding the mysterious goddess, there she was, in the most obscure place, alone.” Zeus trailed Uriel from head to toe, ogling my beautiful mate like she was a prize to be won.

I growled loudly as my wings erupted, ruining the second shirt of the day. The tips of my wings blazed as my hands were charred with soot. Uriel stepped back, gasping, but I felt no fear in her. She clasped her legs tightly, sending the faint hint of arousal floating to my nose.

Fates.

“Hold on there.” Zeus raised his hands in surrender. “I’m here to explain myself, not to start a fight.”

My wings stiffened, trying to hide Uriel from his wandering eyes, but of course, she had to touch them. The brush of her fingertips triggered a shiver to jolt through my body as her finger grazed the fire at the tip of my wing. It never burned her; surprisingly, she played with it like it was a string to wrap around her finger.

“When I first met Uriel, I recognized Hera and Michael’s auras surrounding her. The innocent golden eyes that bore into my soul at Lilith’s party assured me that I had found the elusive goddess.” Zeus backed away, walking towards the golden candelabra that held red-flamed candles. His fingers trailed over each flame, crushing them between his fingers one by one.

“Hera lied to me all these years.” He hissed as he felt the burn. “I thought we were closer than that. I even told her about the Fates visit, informing me of this goddess that would be in danger. I told her that we needed to protect this child, but… I guess she didn’t trust me.” His hand coiled around one candle, squeezing it and breaking it in half.

---