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

the fae court. They’d never shown her any respect or courtesy until they discovered she was their princess. It was all so false.

“Do you think I care what the court thinks of me? Honestly, you don’t know a single thing about me. So what if I left with someone? I have things I have to take care of before I am forced to be your broodmare.”

The words Lucifer said echoed in her mind. Her father flinched. Her mother’s face remained impassive.

“I don’t want to marry Theodus. I don’t want to be part of the fae court. I don’t want anything to do with you either. If you cared anything about me, you wouldn’t force any of that on me.”

Her pronouncement hung in the air between the three of them for several long moments. There was a small part of her which regretted saying those things, but she squashed it. They needed to hear the truth.

“What happened to you in Hell? You weren’t like this before,” her father asked.

“Nothing.”

“The man you left with. He has something to do with this, doesn’t he?” her mother asked. “Who is he?”

There was no way she was giving up Lucifer’s name.

“None of your business.”

“Candace, are you in love with someone else?”

She turned away from them, her fists clenched. She wanted to kick them both out. Her heart contracted.

I love Lucifer. He knows and he said nothing.

But he’d made love to her earlier. He’d kissed and touched her with such tender care. If that didn’t show he wanted her still, then she wasn’t sure what else would. He’d asked her to stay with him more than once. There could be no doubt in her mind.

“So what if I am?” she whispered. “It wouldn’t make you change your mind.”

Neither of them said anything, but she knew they’d heard her. Typical. She turned back to them.

“Are we done? I need to see Theodus if you’re going to continue to insist I marry him.”

Gwilliana looked as though she would say more, but she turned to Gallian.

“I must return to my court.”

She stepped through the portal, but her father didn’t follow. He closed the portal.

“Candace, did you meet someone? Is this why you’re upset?”

“Who said anything about me being upset?”

Her father sighed, taking a step towards her.

“I can’t help you if you won’t tell me.”

“How can you help? You’re the one who bargained with my life in the first place.”

“Please, Candace, don’t. I know and I’m sorry. All I want is for you to be happy.”

“You’ve got a funny way of showing it.”

Fighting with her father was normal, but this felt different.

“Do you really not wish to marry who she picked for you?”

“It’s not about that. Theodus is fine, but he’s not… he’s just not him.”

She’d almost said Lucifer’s name. Almost. Her father closed the distance between them, tucking a finger under her chin, forcing her face up.

“Are you really in love with this person?”

“Yes, Dad.”

What’s the use of lying to him?

He frowned, looking her up and down with concern on his face.

“There’s something different about you.”

“What do you mean?”

Nothing had changed as far as she was aware.

“Why do I sense an otherworldly power on you?”

Now he’s just being weird. We’re already otherworldly as it is being witches.

“Dad, you’re not making any sense.”

He put his hands on her biceps, looking her up and down.

“Did someone heal you? What happened? Did you get hurt?”

She stiffened. Her father had always been sensitive to other magic, but this was different.

Can he sense Lucifer’s divine power?

How would he know she’d been healed last night? It had been a difficult evening. Being beaten up by two Dukes of Hell was the icing on the cake.

“Dad…”

His eyes roamed down her until he homed in on her leg. There was no time to stop him. He dropped to his knees and tugged up her trouser leg. His eyes grew wide.

“Who gave you this? Who marked you? Who?”

Fuck. I forgot about that.

She hadn’t even looked at it herself. She pulled away from him. Walking around him, she moved over to the sofa and sat down. When she pulled up her trouser leg again, her breath caught in her throat.

He’s right. It is beautiful.

She traced the line of one of the pairs of wings. Three sixes were wrapped around them in exquisite lettering. It fit Lucifer so well. His dual nature. The angel and the Devil. And now she had a piece of him with her. Even if she could never be with him, this would remind her of their time together. She wanted to cry, but her father’s voice brought her back to the present.

“Tell me right now. Who marked you?”

“Who do you think?”

“Is this what happened in Hell? Who did you meet?”

Exhaustion set into her bones. She felt like she’d been fighting for months. Fighting against her attraction to the Devil. Fighting to keep her feelings hidden. Fighting against her duty. All of it had worn her down.

“Lucifer,” she whispered.

What’s the point in keeping it from him? I’m tired of secrets. I’m tired of everything.

“What? Why on earth would he mark you?”

“Put two and two together, Dad. Who do you think kept me safe when I was there?”

She looked up at her father. His eyes were wide with realisation. She stifled the urge to sigh. All she wanted right then was to run back to Hell and beg him to keep her from this. Even if she still felt awkward after her confession.

He’d protect me. I know he would.

“You… Why… You’re in love with him. The Devil.”

There we go. Wasn’t that hard, was it?

“He’s not some evil entity. He’s still an angel.