My gaze settled on a cave in the rocks that lined one side of the pool, and I knew. There was a darkness that lingered in its depths. That had to be the way out. There was nothing comfortable about the cave. It led to pain, to suffering and hardship. It was the end of this beautiful dream, the way to real life with all its flaws and trials.
I cut through the water as quickly as I could, heading for the cave before I could lose my nerve. The darkness of the cave enveloped me, cold and terrifying.
My legs collapsed under me, and I fell to my knees on the stone ground outside a door at the bottom of a stairwell. I was back in Lucifer’s palace.
Sucking in a deep breath, I took inventory of my surroundings. My shirt and bra were both on the ground next to me, and my pants were unlaced, as if I’d planned on taking them off too. The whole thing was more than a little concerning, but I didn’t have time to worry about it right now.
I pulled my clothes back on and shoved through the door, entering a hallway. Torches cast a little light, but they weren’t much of a match for the darkness.
“You made it.”
My gaze flew to the shadows where Prince Beautiful stood, leaning against the wall beside one of the heavy doors that lined the hallway.
“Impressive.”
“You didn’t think I could do it.” It wasn’t a question. It was clear that was exactly what he’d thought.
He shrugged. “No one ever has before. Everyone with you in the Eden vision was a real person who got lured in by the comforts of the garden and never made it out again.”
A shudder worked down my spine. “Where are they now? Their physical bodies, I mean.”
“A different part of the palace. It doesn’t really matter. They’ve been in the vision for too long to come out now. They’re not… mentally able to deal with the real world anymore.”
“Why…” I swallowed, feeling heat creep over my neck and cheeks. “Why were my clothes partially off when I came back from the vision?”
The demon prince’s eyes flicked away from mine. “It happens when your mind spends sufficient time in Eden. Unconsciously, your body starts rejecting clothing and adornments. You start taking them off, like kicking blankets off in your sleep. Generally when a person is completely naked, they’re too far gone to come back.”
I had more questions, but I didn’t think hearing the answers would be beneficial at the moment.
“Where is he?” I asked.
Prince Beautiful inclined his head toward one of the doors. There was a sliding bolt keeping the door from opening, but there didn’t appear to be anything keeping me from sliding the bolt back.
“What’s the catch?” I asked, eyeing the door.
“There isn’t one,” the demon answered. “Like I said, you’re the first person to ever make it this far. Just don’t let the door close on you when you’re inside.”
After sliding the bolt back, I pushed the door open to reveal a cell of plain stone with nothing but a rough wooden bench for furniture.
Joriel sat on the bench, his eyes closed and head tipped back against the wall behind him. His bare chest rose and fell with steady breaths. He looked so peaceful, and for a long moment all I could do was stare. I let my eyes rove over every inch of him. He looked good, as strong and handsome as ever. His hands were both wrapped in torn strips of fabric, but there were no new scars or injuries that I could see.
“Jor,” I whispered.
He didn’t move, didn’t react to my voice. Was it possible he was caught in his own vision?
“Joriel, please,” I said. “Open your eyes, baby. Please open your eyes.”
His eyes flew open, locking with mine instantly. “Laila?” he rasped.
Tears blurred my vision, and it took everything in me not to run straight into the cell.
He was up and across the cell in a matter of seconds, his hands cupping my face, his eyes searching mine. “What are you doing here?” he asked. “Are you okay? Shit, I don’t know what to think right now, snow angel.”
I wound my arms around his waist and held on for dear life. “Just kiss me.”
His fingers slid into my hair, and he brought his lips to mine. The kiss started off tentative and searching but quickly deepened. His tongue swept into my mouth, and he let out a low groan.
“I really need you to tell me what’s going on, Laila,” he gasped out between kisses.
