She moved through them with a regality that amazed him. On her head was a white gold and blood red crown. Her corset was pitch black, her boots and skirt also black as coal. He could see there were dark red roses twined in her hair. She looked stunning. She looked every inch the queen she was about to become. The crowd parted for her instantly, clearing the way to him. She went to his side, knelt before him to kiss his hand, then took her place in the throne beside him.

Damien rose. He stood in front of her throne and repeated her gesture. He knelt before her throne and kissed her hand.

"You look beautiful," he murmured for her ears only. She smiled at him. Then he rose and turned to the gathered masses. "You have all been gathered here to pay homage and recognition to your queen!" Murmurs broke out, but he silenced them with a look. "Most of you are aware of the mortal that has been in the palace, as well as the punishments that await those who break my orders concerning her. But she is no longer mortal. She appears before you today immortal, her soul tethered to mine forever! She is mine, in body and spirit. Her word is law, her every whim to be indulged. Anyone disobeying her will be subject to my wrath. And anyone who would dare to touch her in any way, or hurt her," he hissed the words, "will know what excruciating agony the Lord of Hell can concoct in order to keep you in anguish for the rest of eternity."  

The crowd of demons stepped back uncomfortably, fear making them unwilling to even look at Clarla. Damien moderated his tone, then spoke again. "Hereafter, you will all recognize this woman, Clara, as your queen, Mistress of the Darkness."

After his voice died away, one demon stepped forward. He knelt, bent his head and clapped a fist over his heart. Clara rose and went to him. Though she was careful not to touch him in any way, she gestured for him to rise.

"Jarod, my friend," she smiled at him. He inclined his head again.

"My queen. I swear my allegiance to you, for now and eternity."

"And I owe you my gratitude. Maybe it's time to find a partner for you...." She winked at him and the tips of his ears went red. He smiled but said nothing. When he bowed and backed away, the others took their que. As one, they knelt and swore their loyalty to Clara, partner to the devil, queen of hell, Mistress of Darkness.

*

Back in their bedroom, Damien pulled Clara in to his arms and slowly lowered his mouth to hers. When their lips touched, it felt as if a flame blazed between them, but the flare only ignited pleasure. He tasted smoky, dark and seductive. Clara realized with a start that it was the first time he'd ever kissed her like this. Their lips had met before, she'd even tasted his tongue as another version of himself in the taboo nights. But never as himself. Never like this. His tongue stroked hers, delving deep and wringing moans from her chest. When they pulled away for breath, Clara planted her hand on his chest and looked up at him.

"Why haven't you ever kissed me before?"  

He stayed silent for a moment at her question, then raised a brow. "Haven't you seen Pretty Woman? Kissing complicates things." He shrugged and flashed her that devilish grin. Clara burst out laughing.

"Lucifer watches Richard Gere movies?"

"Hell isn't all brimstone and damnation, you know. There can be just as much torment in making a soul watch Miami Vice over and over again for eternity as there is in burning or flaying. Plus, there's so much sin in movies." He snapped his fingers and a theater sized screen appeared. It started flashing through all the most sinful scenes in every movie ever made. Clara was almost embarrassed at how many of them she recognized readily.

"Wait," she said as something occurred to her. He stopped, letting the scene from "O" play out on the screen. "Does that mean you're the hooker and I'm the rich businessman?" She wiggled her eyebrows at him, grinning.

"Oh no, you're most definitely the whore here, my Clara. But how else was I supposed to resist your charms? And at any rate, you wooed me anyways. I was helpless to resist." He spread his hands in a helpless gesture that was completely ill suited for him.

"You've never been helpless in all of your existence," Clara pointed out. "But I'm glad you fell for my feminine wiles." They laughed together, holding each other tightly. When they quieted, Clara looked up into Damien's eyes. "Kiss me again," she murmured. "And never stop."

"As you wish, m'lady. For eternity."