Page 82 of Lucifer's Redemption

Getting her dressed promptly, I pulled her hand to take her out of the tent.

Shaking her head, she stepped backward. “What if he is still out there?” Tears welled in her eyes.

Grabbing both of her hands, I kissed her knuckles. “He won’t be. I am here, and I’m not leaving your side, my beautiful mate. I will fight until all the realms are defeated to make you safe.” The shaky sigh she held gave some comfort, but not enough to sate me.

Whatever evil was coming for her was doing so quickly, or it would not have sent such a horrid dream for her.

Once we stepped out of the tent, squeals of laughter could be heard from the shore. Brief bursts of giggles and splashing had Uriel let go of my hand.

“The children,” she whispered. “They have to get out!” She ran toward the shoreline.

I called for her to wait, but her steps hurried and her wings flew from her body. Some of her beautiful golden feathers fell from her wings as she flew into the air to check on the children.

The children’s laughter died as Uriel hovered over them and shouted. “Get out! Or you will drown!” Her hand went down to grab one of the child’s hands, but they thought it was a game.

“We can’t drown, we breathe water,” one snipped as the four stood up. “Come on, guys.”

Uriel, happy with their choice to leave the surf, landed with her feet in the water and her wings gently parted by her side. Grabbing her hand, I pulled her from the surf.

“You can’t do that, Uriel!” I chastised. “It could have been a trap! Someone could have taken you!” I growled. Her head lowered, wobbling her lip. I pulled her flush to my body, and she cried.

Feeling like a complete idiot, I rubbed her head, kissing it softly. “I’m sorry, bunny. I was worried for you.”

Humming and wiping away her tears, she gripped my shirt. “I was just trying to help them. You didn’t see what I saw.”

The children, most likely sirens who are allowed on the beach, glared at me. Their bodies were covered in a net-like garb.

“You made the pretty angel cry!” A girl with long pink and yellow hair called out to me.

“She didn’t know we could breathe under water. Lighten up!”

I growled at the boy with blue and green hair.

He hissed, flashing his fangs.

My brows furrowed in anger, gripping Uriel tighter. Hands blackening and willing fire in one hand. They all stood back.

“Thaaaaat’s a god! You just screwed up, Thalamere!”

Another girl with similarly colored hair approached, pulling on his arm. “Please forgive him. He’s got a big mouth!”

Uriel giggled at the young girl. “Don’t hurt them, Luci. They didn’t know.” Growling vibrated in my throat until Uriel kissed my chest, causing me to relax.

“I’m sorry, I thought you were going to drown,” Uriel said sheepishly. They all shook their heads.

“We are sirens. We can breathe underwater,” Thalamere spoke. “I’m Thalamere Jr., son of King Thalamere and Queen Scorpia, and this is my sister, Alyssa.” Alyssa curtsied, and Uriel cooed at them.

“These are our friends,” Alyssa spoke as her hand pointed to the two others with pink and yellow hair, “Manta and Scurry,” The boy, Scurry, bowed low, and his sister curtsied but toppled over into the sand.

“Stupid legs,” she muttered in frustration.

Chapter 33

Lucifer

“YouguysarefromAtlantis?” Uriel’s eyes widened. Thalamere and Alyssa nodded in unison.

“Yup, we wanted to walk on land to practice using our legs. We’re supposed to visit the Golden Light Kingdom in a few weeks. We don’t want to look silly when we walk out of the water to meet Aunt Melina.”

---