CHAPTER 38: The Devil's Answer
916 Words
The evening wind moved softly through the ruined tower.
Far below the cliffs, the forest darkened beneath approaching night while the final traces of sunset disappeared slowly from the sky.
But neither Heaven nor Lucifer noticed.
Because the question between them had changed everything.
Do you love me?
Lucifer remained completely still.
His forehead rested lightly against hers while the mate bond pulsed violently between them like a heartbeat struggling to survive.
Heaven could feel it all.
His fear.
His hesitation.
And beneath both—
Something painfully deep.
Lucifer closed his eyes briefly.
The silence stretched too long.
Then finally—
“Yes.”
The single word shattered her.
No arrogance.
No games.
No avoidance.
Just truth.
Raw and terrifyingly honest.
Lucifer slowly pulled back enough to look at her fully afterward.
His crimson eyes held none of their usual coldness now.
Only vulnerability.
Ancient vulnerability from a creature who had spent centuries refusing to need anyone.
“I love you,” he repeated quietly.
The confession sounded almost dangerous in his mouth.
Like he still could not believe himself capable of saying it.
Heaven’s chest tightened painfully warm.
The mate bond exploded with emotion instantly.
Lucifer inhaled sharply at the intensity of it.
Relief.
Love.
Fear.
Hope.
Everything rushed through them uncontrollably now.
And for the first time—
Lucifer did not try to stop it.
Heaven reached for his face slowly, her fingers brushing softly against his cheek.
“You looked terrified saying that.”
Lucifer laughed faintly beneath his breath.
“I am terrified.”
The honesty made her heart ache beautifully.
“You’re the Devil.”
“Yes.” His gaze darkened softly. “And somehow that feels less frightening than loving you.”
The words nearly ruined her completely.
Heaven smiled shakily.
“That was unfairly sweet.”
“I regret it already.”
“You absolutely do not.”
“No,” Lucifer admitted quietly. “I really don’t.”
The warmth between them deepened again.
Stronger now.
No longer uncertain.
No longer hidden behind restraint and silence.
Love changed the bond instantly.
Heaven could feel it.
Lucifer could too.
And judging from the way his expression shifted—
The Devil found the experience overwhelming.
“You feel different,” Heaven whispered softly.
Lucifer’s hand slid carefully against her waist again.
Closer.
Possessive.
Yet impossibly gentle.
“That’s because you know now.”
The mate bond thrummed warmly beneath her ribs.
Lucifer lowered his gaze briefly.
Then quietly admitted—
“I’ve known for longer than I wanted to.”
Heaven blinked softly.
“How long?”
Lucifer looked entirely unimpressed with himself.
“The mountains.”
“The mountains?” She stared at him. “That long ago?”
“I nearly destroyed an avalanche for you.”
“You did destroy an avalanche for me.”
“Exactly.”
Heaven laughed quietly.
Lucifer watched her with that same soft expression again.
Gods.
He looked at her like she was becoming sacred to him.
The realization frightened her slightly.
Because no one should matter this much to someone as powerful as Lucifer.
Especially not when fate itself seemed determined to tear them apart.
The celestial flame stirred faintly beneath her skin again.
Lucifer noticed instantly.
Concern replaced softness immediately.
The change happened so quickly it almost hurt.
“You’re exhausted.”
“I’m alright.”
“You’re trembling.”
Only then did Heaven realize he was right.
The strain from earlier still lingered heavily inside her body.
Lucifer’s expression darkened faintly.
“You should rest.”
“There you go again.”
“This time I’m serious.”
“You’re always serious.”
A faint smirk touched his lips.
“Not always.”
Heat rose to her cheeks immediately.
Lucifer looked deeply satisfied by that reaction.
Then suddenly—
A loud groan interrupted the moment.
Holland stood near the tower entrance staring at them like a man betrayed by the universe itself.
“Oh no.”
Heaven immediately stepped back from Lucifer.
Too late.
Far too late.
The prince pointed dramatically.
“YOU SAID IT, DIDN’T YOU?”
Lucifer looked annoyed again.
“I dislike your timing.”
“You confessed love beside a window during sunset!” Holland shouted. “That is criminally romantic!”
Cassian, currently walking into the tower with supplies, stopped moving entirely.
Then slowly turned around.
“No,” Holland called after him immediately. “You suffer with the rest of us.”
Father Orion entered seconds later carrying maps.
Unfortunately Holland repeated everything instantly.
The priest closed his eyes briefly like divine patience was leaving his body.
“You love each other,” Holland continued accusingly. “You’re emotionally united. This is terrible.”
Lucifer folded his arms calmly.
“Your distress nourishes me.”
“It shouldn’t!”
Heaven burst into laughter again while Cassian rubbed his forehead with exhausted defeat.
Father Orion looked toward Lucifer afterward.
Surprisingly calm.
“Then you understand what this means.”
The warmth vanished instantly.
Lucifer’s expression hardened again.
Because yes—
He understood.
Love made everything worse now.
Not easier.
Worse.
Because now there was truly something to lose.
The celestial flame.
Azrath.
The rebellion.
Fate itself.
Everything became more dangerous.
Heaven noticed the shift immediately.
Her smile faded softly.
Lucifer looked toward the darkening forest outside the tower.
And for the first time since confessing—
Fear returned to his eyes again.
Not fear of loving her.
Fear of what loving her would cost.
- Writer
