forward like a meteor hurtling towards Earth. The familiar scent of brimsto
n throne like some kind of infernal playboy. His perfect eyebrows arch
y dear?" His smooth voice dripped with amusement. God,
ming to a halt at the base of the
hose piercing eyes that had charmed countless souls. "My
work. "I can't do this anymore," I said, my voice trembling with barely con
watched emotions flicker across his face – surprise, hurt, anger
tone dangerously soft. "Is that
that had been building up inside me for years. Instead, I met hi
ed more than just endless parties and sycophantic demons. I need a real life
nturies pressing down on me, threatening to crush my spirit entirely. But I refused t
o mine. "And what exactly do you want to do, Luella?
hat far ahead. "I don't know," I admitted, hating how small my voic
? My dear, you're the Princess of Hell. The world – all worlds – are at your fi
st the obsidian floor. "Maybe I don't have a fucking itemized list, but that doesn't mak
cross his face, making him look both ancient and ageless. For a moment, I caught a
I said, softer now. "Even if I
press down on him. He exhaled deeply, a sound that carried
mix of exasperation and fondness. "Yo
aught off gu
g, desperate for something more. A caged bird longing to spread its wings." His eyes, burning wi
ted. "You never told me that," I sa
tted, running a hand through his immaculate hair. "B
rone. The proximity to my father, the literal Devil, should
nt. "God's favourite. And yet, I felt... stifled.
ming in my throat. "
lips. "I rebelled. And we bo
g. "So, what? You're saying I sho
ff the obsidian walls. "Hell no, darling. I
as you so eloquently put it, it's not meant to trap you. It's me
rstatement of th
f exasperated. "Watch it, little Mo
ered, not feeli
pread your wings? Fine. But do it on your terms. Mak
pe in my chest. "You m
r version of me. I couldn't stop you if I wanted to, just like God couldn't
opped. "S
n," he added, ho
re's always a
me, you call. No matter what." His eyes b
tight with emotion
e and expensive cologne. "Now," he said, releasing me, "let's talk about how we're going t
world was about to open up before me, and I had no idea what t
ather, his gaze a mixtu
you can come visit me sometimes. I'll make sure to a
e corner of Lucifer'
I mean, just because I'm leaving doesn't mean I w
"That would be great, Lulu. I don't wan
, when did I become such a sap? "Maybe we could make it a monthly thing?
room. "I'd like that. And who knows? Maybe I'll even l
ss bubbling up inside me. "Oh, I'll show you how it'
d that this wasn't an ending. It was a new beginning for both of us. And f
d my heart racing. The air around me crackled with energy, the fam
thing?" Dad asked, eyeing my s
Besides, I can always conjure up whatever I need, this is just a s
ide in his eyes. "That's m
us. I'd never been away from home for more than a few days, and now I
onna miss this place. The eternal flames, the sc
"It'll all be here when you get back. Well, except ma
ent of levity. "Poor Dave. Tell
into a tight hug. "Be careful up there
nsive cologne. "I will. And hey, I'll call you as soon as I'm settled.
in the corner of his eye. The Devil himsel
a," he said softly. "Go
my suitcase. "Oh, don'
own, I stepped through the portal, ready to fac