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

into her flat, he stood near the door, eying her open plan living area with an inscrutable gaze. She kicked off her high heels and walked over to the window, staring out into the gloom.

“Explain.”

That one word stabbed at her heart. His tone was deadly, broking no objections. This was the moment she never wanted to come. The one where she told the man she loved why she had to perform her duty which was now abhorrent to her.

“My father had an affair with her which spanned five years until she fell pregnant with me. They kept it hidden from all but the royal courts. I was only two days old when she gave me to my father in exchange for a promise that when I turned twenty-five, I would return to the fae as their princess. She thinks I’m their saviour because of that ridiculous prophecy, but no one even understands it or knows whether it is really related to the fae.”

Taking a moment to gather her thoughts, she turned to him. His eyes betrayed nothing.

“My father never lied to me about my duty. I’m under no illusions about what’s expected of me. She wants me to provide her with an heir. That is my purpose to her, nothing more.”

And I was okay with it until I met you. Until I fell in love with you.

Those were the words she couldn’t say.

“That’s it?” he asked.

“What else can I say? I’ve waited my entire life for this day. I’ve known for five years who she’d chosen for me. I’d accepted it, but now, it’s all fucked up because you’re here and in my life. Don’t you see I had to leave for my own sake?”

He advanced on her with slow, calculated steps. His hand shot out, curling around her arm in an almost painful grip.

“Do you not want me here?”

“Of course, I fucking do. Haven’t I made that clear? All I want is you but I can’t have you. I’m yours, but you are not mine. None of this is mine. I have to do what I was born to do.”

His eyes darkened, his expression turning feral. It should’ve scared the living daylights out of her, but she wasn’t scared by his darkness any longer. A part of her craved it, wanted him to be ruthless with her.

“Do you want that prince to fuck you? Use you as his broodmare for your mother’s sake?”

What the fuck? Does he think I actually want to be fucked by someone else other than him? Is he insane?

Whatever hold she had on her temper shattered. She was done with accusations.

“As if you wouldn’t fucking do the same. Use me until you get bored then toss me aside like I mean nothing to you.”

His grip tightened causing her to yelp. The look in his eyes made her heart ache. There was rage, fury but there was also a tiny flicker of pain. Like her words actually hurt him.

“Let go!”

“Is that what you really think of me? Do you think I care nothing for you? Do you?”

“How the fuck should I know how you feel about me? I don’t even know why the hell you’re here, tormenting me with things I can’t possibly have.”

Wanting to slam all of her words back in her mouth, she glared at him. Why did he have to make her so angry? Why did he have to say such provoking things? She hated it. All of it. Most of all she hated herself for being too weak to push him away. To tell him to leave and never come back because she wasn’t strong enough to walk away.

Her heart bled for him. Behind the façade she saw the tortured angel who’d been twisted by ruling over Hell. All she wanted was to be his solace. The person he needed because she needed him like he was the very air she breathed. But that angel was hidden from her now. In his place stood the Devil. The man who’d take everything from her. Who’d ruin her with his brutality and flay her heart alive with his cruel words.

“If that’s the man you think I am, then that’s the man you’ll get, my little witch.”

That term of endearment shattered everything inside her. It was said with malice, not affection. He dragged her over to the dining room table, shoving her onto it. Her stomach connected with the edge, winding her. He folded himself over her, flattening her palms on the wood.

“I told you that first day, you shouldn’t play games with the Devil. You’ll only get burnt.”

His breath tickled her ear. Her pulse pounded erratically. He was entirely unpredictable in his moods.

“Lucifer, this isn’t funny.”

He moved off her, but when she tried to move, she found her hands stuck like glue.

Does he think this is okay with me?

“What the fuck? Stop this, let me go.”

He said nothing, trailing his fingers down her back. He gripped her thighs, spreading her legs wide. Her feet got stuck to the floor. She was rendered utterly immobile by his power. A cold sweat beaded at the back of her neck. Never before had she been so vulnerable in front of another person.

“Don’t do this, please, Lucifer, please. I don’t want this.”

His laugh was haunted.

“My little witch. You said you want me, but you don’t even understand what that really means. I won’t hold back any more. You’ve asked for the Devil and he is who you’re getting.”

Her limbs shook. The dangerous note in his voice flooded her with heat.

Why the fuck am I getting turned on by him right now? I’m so fucked up. I don’t even want to be in this position.

“Stop.”

His fingers trailed up her inner thighs. A small growl left his lips when he found