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

of her. She has to do this alone. You cannot help her,” his father replied.

Lucifer kissed her forehead before stepping away.

“You’re strong enough, Candace. I trust you. Do this for us.”

He knew she wouldn’t know what he was talking about, but he had to say it anyway.

“Are you not coming with me?” she asked.

He shook his head. It wouldn’t do for him to be visible to her mother. She knew that.

“I’ll be here for you, but we talked about this. It’ll only make it worse for you if she sees me.”

She looked at her feet, wringing her hands.

“I know.”

The sounds from the fae filtered through to them and he knew God had restarted time.

Candace gave him one last significant look before she strode into her mother’s dining room. He trailed along behind, standing just inside the doors before they closed.

No one but his little witch knew he was there. If he interfered in anyway, then all would be lost. His heart lurched.

Little witch, you can do this. I know you can. I know you.

§

Candace curtsied to her mother before her chair was pulled out and she sat down. The queen looked over her outfit with approval.

Well, at least I’ve not disappointed her yet.

She wore a long, dark green dress with gold embellishments. Mall had helped her pick it out when they’d returned to Hell for a few days. Her heart contracted.

Lucifer.

He’d been acting strangely before they’d come in and she had no idea how time had suddenly been frozen. It was best not to think about it. He’d told her it didn’t matter.

“It’s nice of you to join us,” her mother said.

Candace kept a straight face.

Can’t rock the boat just yet even if she’s being a sarcastic bitch right now.

“I apologise, Mother.”

“Cadmi, it has been an age,” said a deep voice to her right.

Candace turned at the sound, seated next to her was Theodus’ father, Prince Mitah Farlane. She really couldn’t stand him.

“Yes, it is a shame you were not able to attend the ball. How are your other children?”

“They are well, thank you. Novus has just returned from Europe.”

She drowned out his chatter, nodding at him at appropriate moments. Her eyes drifted over to the doors where Lucifer stood. He looked tense. She knew only she could see him, so she didn’t allow her gaze to linger. Knowing he was there made this a little easier.

“Candace,” her mother hissed.

She leant a little closer to Gwilliana, wondering what on earth she wanted.

“Why have you not said hello to Theodus?”

As if I want to say hello to that prick.

She half smiled at him from across the table, giving a little nod. He smiled in return, but it didn’t meet his eyes.

“Happy now?” Candace hissed back.

“No. What is wrong with the two of you?”

“Wrong? Nothing.”

“Do not lie to me.”

She wants to do this now? Fine. I don’t want to be here any longer anyway. This is what I came here to do. I need to end this ridiculous sham.

“What’s wrong is he’s a prick and I’m not marrying him.”

Gwilliana’s eyes flashed with anger.

“Are you trying to test me?”

Candace took a breath.

Now or never.

There was never a more perfect moment to tell her mother exactly how she felt.

“No, that’s the truth. I came here today to tell you the engagement is off. I’m going to spend my life with the man I love, not with someone you chose for me because you’re obsessed with a stupid prophecy that isn’t even about you.”

She looked over at Lucifer again. She’d thought a lot about what the prophecy meant. Who it alluded to. Something clicked a few days ago when they’d been in Hell. Lucifer had been sprawled out on the sofa playing with a ball of light. Before he’d fallen, he’d been known as the Morningstar. She’d almost fallen off the stool when she’d realised.

“It’s about me and him.”

Chapter Twenty Eight

Lucifer stiffened at her words.

She knows. How long has she known it was about us? Does she know what she has to do?

Candace looked away from him, back to her mother. The queen’s expression was thunderous.

“You dare say such things to me,” Gwilliana seethed, no longer keeping her voice low.

The other fae at the table looked to their queen, frowns on their faces.

“I dare?” Candace replied, pushing her chair back and standing. “You’re the one who’s been lying to your court for centuries. You’re perfectly capable of carrying children. I’m not your saviour, Mother, nor your sacrifice. I refuse to be a part of this any longer.”

Gwilliana jumped to her feet, her eyes blazing with unconcealed fury. He saw the flash of magic in her hand before it flew at Candace. His witch blocked it with efficiency, creating a pink barrier around her which glittered with both witch and fae magic. She stepped backwards around her chair.

“You little bitch. I knew you were going to be trouble. You’ve always been your father’s daughter.”

“You want to know why that is? Because he raised me, not you. He taught me how to be a witch, not one of the fae. All you and your court have done is scorn me for being a half breed. No more. I’m more than just your little obedient daughter trapped by what she thought was her duty. I learnt a lesson when I was in Hell, Mother. A lesson about freedom and cages. Freedom comes at a price and I much prefer to choose my own cage rather than be stuck in chains by you.”

Her mother sent further spells against Candace’s barrier, but they all bounced off harmlessly. The