Page 59 of Lucifer's Redemption

Mr. Zeus’ head perked up, his blue eyes rimmed with red. “Just let it go,” I whispered to him, hoping the others couldn’t hear. His body no longer hunched, and his posture straightened as my hand remained close to his back.

People, even gods, need touch to feel better. It lets you know someone is there watching you, helping you, and assures you that you are not alone.

Mr. Zeus’ face brightened drastically in just a few seconds; it was like he was another person. My eyes widened, shocked by how much lighter he looked, I even felt better for him. My wings, folded inside me, tingled, wanting to spring free, but I had to compose myself.

Mom said it wasn’t good for my wings to just fly out randomly, it might scare people. I didn’t want to upset Mr. Zeus now that he seemed so much better.

His smile stretched, showing his white teeth. Finally rising from the floor, I felt a tickle in my ear. It felt like the wind was whispering into the depths of my brain.

“Thank you.” I touched my ear, thinking it was my imagination.“You have shown me grace,”it whispered again.

Blinking my eyes back at Mr. Zeus, his hand rested on my shoulder. The wind gathered again, tickling my ears.

“Keep using your powers of grace to help others. It will help you grow.” My eyes didn’t leave his until Luci pulled me away.

I may be the Goddess of Innocence and Grace, but Mother concentrated on the innocence all my life. Isolating me from the worlds, keeping me in my tiny room with limited activities, and exposing me to humanity and the gods’ way of life through heavily filtered lenses. The gift of grace was barely an afterthought.

“I showed grace,” I whispered to myself.Showing grace could be used in many ways. Using words to comfort, being there for someone, having gratitude, and teaching forgiveness.My hand clutched around Luci’s torso as Mr. Zeus began to leave.

Did I just help someone forgive? Using my words and my touch to comfort those who were the most conflicted?

As Mr. Zeus exited the front doors, my head tilted back to look up at Luci. He was staring down at me with one eyebrow raised in question.

“What did you do, Uriel?”

Luci called me by my real name.

I stuck my lip out, disappointed he wasn’t using my new name.I like the new name, bunny. They were cute and fluffy. I just helped Mr. Zeus not be sad anymore, and he called me Uriel. I was being good!

Luci gripped my waist with his fingers, pulling me closer. “What is that lip for?” he whispered huskily in my ear.

I grunted, still unsatisfied that he didn’t understand what I wanted. “You called me ‘Uriel,’ instead of ‘bunny.’” I pouted again, folding my arms against my chest.

“Are you going to be bratty right now,bunny?” The hint of a growl in his throat had me grinning wildly.

He called me ‘bunny.’

“Not anymore,” I hummed, rubbing my head on his chest. Luci sighed, shaking his head while Hades and Ember walked down the steps of their throne. Ember continued to watch us, smiling as her hand wrapped around Hades’ arm.

“So, what did you do?” Luci questioned again, staring at the spot where I had helped Zeus get up.

I tilted my head in question—I wasn’t really sure what I did, I just comforted him.

“I just told him it was alright,” I spoke innocently, “that we sometimes just need to let it go. Then my hand felt all warm, and I felt so relieved once Mr. Zeus got up looking so much better!” I smiled, holding onto Luci’s hand again.

“Did you see anything?” I shook my head, with one finger covering my lips.

“See anything? No. Should I have?” Luci shook his head, his eyes drifting to Hades.

“Zeus has been here a while,” Hades mentioned. “He arrived, unannounced, demanding if I knew all along that Uriel was, in fact, Hera’s daughter. Zeus thinks the entire Celestial Kingdom is out to get him, trying to undermine him. Of course, he thought I had something to do with it.” Hades’ smoke creeped out from underneath his royal robes. Ember pulled on his arm, pointing to the mess he was making on the ground.

“Sorry, my love.” Hades kissed her lips.

“Aww!” I cooed, watching the two so deeply in love with each other. Luci chuckled, and both his parents whipped their heads toward him in bewilderment.

“You laughed.” Ember’s eyes glistened with tears. “You actually showed an emotion, other than anger.”

“Because I’m his mate,” I chirped. “Luci said I help him, and he helps me. That’s what a bond is for, right?” Ember took me by the arm, pulling me into a hug.

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