Lucifer's Cage (After Dark Book 6) by Sarah Bailey (short story to read .txt) 📗

“He didn’t at first. You know I like to speak my mind. That grated on him, but now, I guess we found some common ground.”

They were both caged by family duty. Freedom wasn’t within their reach. In that respect, they were the same. It’s only that Lucifer didn’t know the extent of her duty to her family.

“Well, sooner rather than later. I need to get home to Sam.”

“I know.”

Her heart sank. Her time with Lucifer was almost up and she had so many regrets. Why hadn’t she made the most of it? There was no use thinking about that now.

“I’ll ask him when he’s done in the throne room,” she continued. “I can’t go interrupting him.”

“Oh yeah, well, I’m going to catch some shut eye in the meantime.”

He got up, ruffling her hair.

“Say, you haven’t changed your hair since I’ve been down here. That’s not like you.”

She flushed, unable to help herself. She’d taken Lucifer’s words to heart. The only reason she’d change her hair colour is if she gave into him.

“I’ve been preoccupied.”

“Well, true. Still, I’d love to know what colour you’re going to pick when you go confront Gallian.”

“Don’t remind me.”

She was not looking forward to seeing her father and explaining where she’d been. Jax grinned before he strolled away, leaving her alone. She picked herself up and shuffled into Lucifer’s bedroom. She had no idea how long he’d be.

Slumping down on the bed, she groaned. How was she going to word this? Would he even help them? He didn’t want her to leave. He hadn’t exactly voiced it, but it wasn’t hard for her to guess. There was nothing for it but to just be straight with him about it.

She sat up. Her heart thumped uncomfortably in her chest. Jax’s reminder about her hair stuck out in her mind. Sliding off the bed, she went over to the mirror. It took a minute, but her hair changed from fire red to so blonde it was almost white.

“This is me,” she whispered.

It had been so long, she’d forgotten what she looked like with it. Her violet eyes were stark against the background of her light hair.

He wants to see the real me. Is it crazy I want to show him? If I have to leave, then I can’t go without knowing.

She turned away from the mirror, going into the walk-in wardrobe. She stripped out of all her clothes, selecting a short black silk robe. She shrugged it on and tied the belt around her waist tightly.

She stepped back out into the bedroom just as the doors on the other side opened. Lucifer’s eyes met hers. There was absolutely no going back now. And she really didn’t want to. What she wanted was the angel in front of her.

“You’re here,” she said.

“Yes. Were you waiting?”

She took a few steps towards him.

“I have to ask you something, but I don’t really want to because it means everything ends and I…”

He took a step towards her then froze. His eyes roamed over her, landing on her hair.

“Is that…?”

She closed the distance between them, staring up at him. He reached out, wrapping a strand of her hair around his fingers. Her breath hitched.

What is he thinking? He’s told me so many times he wants me to give into him, but now it’s happening, I don’t know if it’s truly what he desires.

“You wanted to see the real me.”

“Does this mean what I think it does?”

She swallowed, needing a moment before she answered him.

“Yes.”

“You’re beautiful,” he whispered.

Her heart threatened to break there and then. The tenderness in his expression left her emotions in a mess at her feet. And all she wanted was to drown in him forever. She went up on her tiptoes, pressing a hard kiss to his mouth. His arms came about her, keeping her pinned to his chest.

“Ask me what you need to. I need to know. I won’t take you until you do.”

Releasing his mouth, her eyes met his. Her heart thundered in her ears. She’d heard him correctly. This was going to happen.

“Jax is sure he can cast the right spell, but we need… you.”

His eyes narrowed.

“Me?”

“Well, it’s more that we need divine power to complete it. So, yes, you.”

“If that’s what you need, then so be it.”

What? He’s not even going to ask why or how?

“I thought you’d be a bit more reluctant to help us since it means I have to go home.”

“You forget, if you do this, then there’s a way out of Hell and that will shut my subjects up.”

He was right. It would benefit him. But she didn’t want to think about any of that. She didn’t want to think about how much it would break her heart when she left.

No. Now all I want is him and I for however long I have left.

“Lucifer… I know you didn’t ask, but my answer this time is yes.”

He released her, looking down at what she was wearing.

“Do you have anything on underneath that?”

“No.”

His eyes darkened. His tongue ran over his bottom lip. It made her pulse quicken. A shiver ran down her spine. It occurred to her they’d never seen each other naked before. She reached up, flipping open the buttons on his shirt. He didn’t stop her when she tugged it off his shoulders.

Oh, holy fuck.

He was so perfect it made her head spin. She ran her hand down his chest.

“Well, shit,” she breathed.

“Are you quite done admiring me?”

Her eyes snapped up to his. There was amusement in his expression.

“I don’t think I’ll ever be done admiring you.”

He put his hands on her shoulders, backing her towards the bed.