Lucifer's POV

She shuffled her feet again. I fought down a wave of frustration and tried to calm my frayed nerves. Even after all that had happened since then, I was so conscious of how close I'd been to losing her completely. I was sure Marcus would have my hide. I mean, one would think that a man as old as I was would know better than to allow my sweet, unmarked mate alone with a god of immense power.

I squeezed my eyes shut hard. Father, as soon as I had closed the doors, I'd felt the enchantment. I'd realized that slimy bastard had stopped time, and I was unable to reach her while he did god knows what at his leisure. Then, to see her crying her eyes out, alone and disheveled...I swore, my heart froze. My blood was all a burning agony. I'd wanted nothing more than to gather her into my arms and never allow her to leave ever again.

But I couldn't; to do so would be to lose her forever.

Or so I'd thought. My heart thudded, and all the blood in my body drained further south as I remembered her tearful admission.

She wanted me. And that stubborn girl had thought that I no longer did.

As if that could ever possibly happen. Even if she couldn't bear to look at me, even if she hurled insults at me. Even if she hated me with her very soul. Is would always want her. Adore her. Cherish her. Evidently, I'd failed to communicate that to her.

I stared at her, drinking in her lovely mussed curls, her blushing cheeks, the fucking gorgeous bruise on her neck. If only she could meet my eyes.

"Rika," I crooned, and she jerked her face up to look into mine. Her eyes were so bewitching. How could I ever hope to resist her?

"Yes, Luce?" Even her voice...especially when she pleaded my name in pleasure.

No, stop right there. Keep control.

"If you don't tell me what happened, I'll assume the worst," I warned, my eyes promising retribution. The snake was wily, I'd give him that. In reality, however, I knew that it would be only a slight nuisance to eradicate him, and it wouldn't trouble me at all if he had upset her.

"You're so fucking bossy," she whined, and my heart melted. She was so sexy one minute, and then so damned adorable the next. It was more than a man could bear.

"Two things, Rika. One, I know you like it," I smirked as her face flamed brighter, "and two," my voice became rough, "you haven't seen anything yet. It would be wise not to try me."

She crossed her arms and huffed.

Lord, petulant Rika was so perfect. It made me want to assert my dominance in the most delightful of ways.

"Keep it up, Love, and see what I do."

She shrugged, and my eyebrow quirked up, "I think you're all bark."

I froze, "repeat that, Kitten. I dare you."

She leaned in, her honeyed scent wrapping me in a warm embrace.

"I think you're full of shit." She hissed, her lips moving in the most distracting of ways.

A wolfish grin split my face. Her eyes widened as she realized her error.

"I was rather hoping you'd say that."

I hooked her soft thigh with my hand, pulling her off her feet. She landed on my waiting arm, which I used to deposit her prettily across my lap. I groaned at her position. Her ass was perfect, begging for my palm. Her skin was so pale, it contrasted perfectly and erotically against my olive-toned complexion. I barely noticed her struggles. I frowned. She would hardly be able to defend herself if she really needed to. I made a mental note to teach her how to fight an immortal being.

"Goddamned pencil-dicked weasel-faced cock-sucking-" I lifted her hair up, surprisingly heavy in my hand, and moved it over her shoulder so I could see the bruise on her elegant throat. My bruise. I groaned as my cock went harder than I was sure was possible. She let out an adorable squeak in response, and I grinned widely.

"Yes, Love. I really am quite enjoying this."

I ignored her renewed efforts to free herself, wincing slightly at the creativity of her profanity. I palmed her legging-covered ass with my palm, groaning anew and hearing her indignant shriek. It was so soft, so perfect.

I didn't want to panic her, so I reluctantly decided to leave her clothing on. I didn't want to see her bare for the first time in punishment. However, the temptation rode me so hard I had to physically grit my teeth to stop myself.

"Do you know why I'm punishing you, Amirykal?" I asked, my voice hard and commanding.

"Because you're an egotistical-"

I landed my first blow, cutting her off effectively as she cried out in pure rage. It was such a turn on.

"Incorrect. Try again, my Love." I ordered, my voice a sensual purr.

"You're such a misogynistic-"

Smack!

"Sadistic-"

Smack! Smack!

Her skin began to heat up under my palm as I massaged her soothingly between slaps. I was so hard I was surprised I wasn't hurting her stomach.

We continued this back-and-forth, her cussing me out viciously, me enjoying stopping her mid tirade with a smack on her generous bottom. Eventually, after around twenty blows, she caved.

"I don't know! I don't know!" She sobbed, over sensitized with burning pain and confusing arousal.

"I'm punishing you, Kitten, for several reasons," I began, rubbing her calmingly, "first, for putting yourself down. You will no longer continue this unacceptable behavior. Two, you will not tell me what the Serpent said that so upset you. In the manner of your well-being, there will be absolutely no secrets between us. And three, because I wanted to, and you practically asked me to."

"I did not!" She shouted, face red.

"Oh, love. You must know by now that challenging me is a sure-fire way to get a rise from me. Congratulations," I chuckled, my lips brushing the shell of her ear, "you succeeded."

With one last gentle pat, I scooped her up, wiping the tears of frustration from her cheeks. She met my eyes, and for a moment I worried she was really, truly mad. Then she grinned ruefully.

"I'll get you back for that, angel."

I grinned back, leaning my forehead against hers.

"Father above, I hope so."

Ammi's POV

My stomach rumbled again. I groaned back, leaning heavily into the black duvet in denial.

I was so, so hungry.

But I was so, so comfy.

The. Struggle.

Blowing a stray curl from my eyes, I sat up, immediately regretting it as my ass hurled abuse at me. Damn, that arrogant angel had done a number on me. I scowled. I hated him. I hated that he made me enjoy giving up control, even if it was only for a brief moment. I was stubborn as a mule by nature, and allowing a person, much less a man like Lucifer, to spank me like that...it went against my nature, to say the very least.

But I had loved every moment.

I squirmed uncomfortably as heat built between my legs at the erotic memory. I had wanted him to touch me so, so badly. I wanted his fingers to strike just an inch lower, to give me some relief. He hadn't.

My stomach rumbled again. I sighed. No help for it, then.

I padded to the door, peeking out into the hallway. I met the steely gaze of Benjamin. I gulped guiltily.

I waggled my fingers at him dramatically, and trilled, "hey, Benny boy."

Benjamin rolled his eyes, trying to suppress a smile at my antics. I grinned at him.

"Good day, my Queen. How can I be of assistance?"

"You can forgive me, for a start. Then, once you've done that, you can show me to the kitchen."

"Nothing to forgive, my lady. However, I must ask, haven't you already been to the kitchen?" He asked innocently. I studied him through narrowed eyes. He didn't appear to be making fun of my lack of directional skills, but he was also a trained Spartan soldier. He doubtless knew how to hide his emotions.

"I'm sure I haven't been yet," I retorted frostily. He nodded sagely.

"Of course, my Queen. Right this way."

The kitchen was, again, proven to be my favorite place in Hell. As I demolished my plate of alfredo pasta that was doubtless going straight to my thighs, I turned my discussion with the Snake over and over in my mind. I stabbed my fork into my plate over-aggressively, squeezing my eyes shut.

I knew I had to tell Lucifer. Honestly, the threat of a holy war was enough to scare even me into submission. Not that that was an easy thing to do, mind you. Despite this, my past was not something I ever wanted to reveal to others, for fear of judgement. I put on a strong front, to be sure. I was fiery, stubborn, and confident as hell. I overcompensated, because I never had control during my childhood. I was a deeply messed up human being, and I would hate to see my angel's face to change from adoration to disgust. I don't think I could bear that.

"Whatcha thinkin' about so hard, Sugar? Let us menfolk do the thinkin' for ya." I pretended to scowl at the playful voice.

"I would happily let the men do the thinking. However, I see no man nearby to do so for me at the moment," I snarked at Marcus as the daemon sat down next to me, slouching in a highly undignified manner over the counter.

He mock-winced, holding a hand over his heart dramatically, "why must you emasculate me so, you cruel vixen!"

I rolled my eyes and finally let the grin I was hiding surface.

"Long time, no see, Marcus."

"Well, duty calls, and Hell doesn't run itself when Luce is off frolicking with his lady love."

"Oh, shuddap," I retorted, taking a slug of my soda in the most unladylike way possible, "we were hardly frolicking."

"Your neck says otherwise," Marcus shot back, single eyebrow raised.

My hand flew to my neck, eyes wide. No way.

"Fuck!" I yelled, causing Marcus to nearly fall out of his seat in surprise.

"Jesus H. Christ, A! Language and volume," he barked, clutching his chest theatrically.

"Sorry, just...I'll murder his possessive ass," I promised darkly.

"He didn't do anything you didn't want him to, did he?" Marcus asked, vengeance in his eyes, "because friend or not, if he's forced you, I will kick his holy ass."

I felt warmth flood through my chest. It was nice to know someone else was in my corner.

"No, I just didn't know there was," I blushed, cursing my fair skin, "evidence."

Marcus relaxed, "good. If that changes, though, my offer still stands. Be honest with me. I can help you."

I grimaced, remembering a similar conversation with Lucifer.

Rika, love. Tell me. I will help. I want to make your problems go away.

Unfortunately, my problems couldn't be solved with any amount of heavenly powers. I wish it were that easy.

When I'd told him as much, he'd been beyond distressed. Tensions were high. I'd yelled, he'd growled. I'd threatened. He'd threatened. He'd stormed out.

Still, despite my feelings for him, there was still an issue: he was keeping me here, and I liked my free will. It felt like we were running in circles.

Marcus frowned, noticing the gloom that surrounded me like a cloud.

"A, what's up? Lucifer didn't mention anything to me..." He trailed off, confused.

"Well, the reason he's currently working with the souls is because I wouldn't tell him what happened with Apophis," admitted sheepishly, "he's sulking."

Marcus nodded, understanding crossing his face.

He smiled reassuringly, his fangs glinting in the soft light, "it can be hard to reveal those types of things when you aren't used to relying on others, isn't it?"

"Preach," I muttered, chewing aggressively.

"You want my advice?"

"Regardless of whether I do, I'm sure you'll give it."

"True," he admitted, "my advice is this: tell me."

I gave him a skeptical look.

"You take your meds today?" I asked acerbically.

"I'm serious, A," he insisted, "do a practice run with me. If it's really something you need to get off your chest, start with me. I can keep a secret, trust me."

I thought for a moment. On the one hand, I'd rather eat glass. On the other hand, I needed to start somewhere, and I was hardly going to win any medals in my feelings-sharing.

"Sure, I'll tell you. But," I held up my hand, "I want to do so in a less public place."

He nodded, "of course. We'll go to my quarters. It's practically the only place Luce doesn't check in on."

I tensed. Had he heard what me and Marcus talked about? He could hear around the castle?

"I shielded us from scrutiny, don't worry." The daemon promised, and I relaxed.

"Then lead the way."