“It’s okay. I’m just glowing again and it startled me.”
He smoothed a hand down her side. “I like it.”
I think I do too.“Mist, I think it… When I fell into the Pit—”
His arm clenched around her. “I couldn’t reach you in time. I saw you falling and—”
“It’s okay.” She stroked it to soothe him. “I’m okay. I’m completely okay. That’s what I’m saying. I don’t have a scratch on me.”
“It’s a shield, then. Like a superpower.”
She breathed a surprised laugh and rolled onto her back. “Where did you learn about superpowers?”
“In addition to romantic films, Eva showed me superheroes.”
She tried to picture him watching the latest Marvel flick and laughed again. “Did you like them?”
“No. Humans would not manage well with such abilities. They are too lawless and impulsive. Beings of power need discipline.”
“Still a stickler for the rules, then?”
“Only the ones worth following.” He smiled, though his eyes were closed again. “A wise witch taught me that.”
Lily chuckled. “She sounds amazing.”
“She is.”
He mumbled something else incoherent and pulled her closer, the sound of his deepening breath indicating he was lost to sleep once more. She turned on her side and watched him sleep, totally and completely head over heels for him.
She was humbled by his trust in her. After everything he’d been through, that he would give her the gift of his love meant the world. She would guard it until her dying day—which might be a very long time from now if that silly prophecy was anything to go by.
She mentally scoffed. As if she was actually destined to be some legendary, immortal witch.
And then she stopped that train of thought in its tracks.
Timid, Self-Deprecating Lily was dead. She’d burned up somewhere in Hell.
Who said she wasn’t a legendary, immortal witch? She’d already done a few things that were pretty damned legendary. As for immortal, well… time would tell.
But if she was what the prophecy proclaimed her to be, then she would begin her reign of power by finding a way to get rid of Mist’s brands once and for all. And she would use her strength to protect the ones she loved, just as her parents had done for her.
With that conviction, she drifted back to sleep, safe in the arms of her demon.
Mephilogue
Valefor, Duke of Hell, sat in his study, poring over the ancient texts in a rage. Paimon’s territory had fallen, its queen with it. How had he not seen this coming?
“The prophecy saidKingof Hell, damn it!” He smashed a fist onto the desk, sending papers flying.
He’d been foolish to believe the humans’ interpretation of the seer’s words from centuries ago. He should have done his own analysis and translations. Maybe then he would have realized that since humankind had already mistaken Paimon for a King, it stood to reason they might make that same mistake elsewhere.
It was a minor miscalculation, but one with disastrous consequences. Because of that one mistake, he’d been looking in all the wrong places. All his careful plans were moot now, and it was too late to turn the situation to his advantage.
Like most powerful demons, Valefor had his own agenda. He hadn’t cared about preventing Paimon’s fall, but he had cared about taking her territory for himself and amassing enough power to hold it in the process. He’d cared very much indeed.
But thanks to the misinterpretation of the prophecy, he hadn’t been in position to fight when Paimon had fallen. He hadn’t even had time to gather his legions. Worse, someone else had already claimed it, and he didn’t have a clue who it was.
He’d sent spies to scout the territory, but whoever it was had already reinforced the boundary wards, and his minions had yet to successfully breach them. He had no doubt word would spread soon, but in Hell, it was always wise to be the first to know things.
