The Reaping of the Gods

Chapter 20

Luke decided we should go have brunch in the town square and then go shopping. According to him, he wanted to spoil me with everything I could ever want. And all I could think was at this moment, he was everything I wanted. We walked to the town square, leaving Zach behind as he said No thank you to shopping.

The town square was just as bustling as the last time I went but this time we got stares and whispers as we walked by. I didn't realize anyone cared that much. I mean we'd been seen together before. I'm assuming it's just because Luke's mark on my chest. He's explained how everyone was upset about it. I thought he was exagerrating.

"Wanna grab some food?" he asks, walking hand in hand. I nod. He starts taking me to a diner type restaurant a couple streets down from town square. I was happy to maybe go somewhere not as busy as the square. He leads me into the diner and we sit down in a booth near the back. A waitress drops off a couple menus and asking for our drink order. No one seems to be staring at us here, which I appreciate. I settle on a classic burger and fries. Luke gets a country fried steak and mashed potatoes with gravy. Nothing like a diner burger and fries. The food in Sovengrad isn't weird or anything but alot of it has been pretty fancy. Plain old burger was exactly what I needed.

"So" Luke wipes his mouth with his napkin. "Tomorrow we have to go to a council meeting." He states matter of factly.

"Why?" I question. I didn't want to have to face anyone yet.

"I have to prove I told you everything or else they will." He explains. I nod in recognition.

"What about Set? Won't he be there?" I ask.

"Yes but he will be on his best behaviour and I'll protect you I promise." He reaches out and takes my hand comforting me.

We finish our meals and then head to finish our shopping. Luke and I picked out a new comforter for our bed, although I'm pretty sure he didn't care about it but pretended to make me happy. I still am not getting how Luke is the devil? Clearly him being pure evil is a lie. I see a bookstore across the way and get excited at thought of grabbing some books.

"Can I go look at some books?" I ask.

"Of course." He grabs my hand and we head into the shop. He lets go of my hand to go wander. I find a couple books that look interesting.

"You need help finding anything?" The shop girl asks from behind me.

"Oh, do you have any recommendations for mystery or romance?" I ask. She nods enthusiastically and runs around grabbing 3 more books. I look at them and they are exactly something I'd read. I thank her and introduce myself. She replies that her name is Mirena. She gives me a smile, as Luke walks up behind me placing his hand on the small of my back.

"Find something?" He asks.

"Yeah I'm just trying to decide which one." He gives me a puzzled look with a c**k of his head.

"Get all them." He grabs the books from me and hands them to Mirena saying we'll take them. He pays and grabs the bag.

We had a great day even with all the murmurs around us. We decide to grab some food from the diner to go for dinner, remembering to grab something for Zach too, and then head home. We sat in the front sitting room, ate dinner and watched tv.

"How do you guys have Disney plus? " I ask. There's a pause and then they laugh.

"Magic." Zach says while making exaggerated magician hand movements.

"I'm serious. Like isn't Sovengrad like another planet?" I look between them hoping to get a real answer.

"Zach's telling the truth. It's just magic. And Sovengrad is more in its own dimension then its own planet." Luke explains.

"I guess that makes sense." I agree and go back to eating the soup and sandwich I got from the diner.

*knock knock knock* We all turn to look at the door, confused. How did they get past the gate without anyone knowing?

Luke gets up and answers the door. I can hear him greet someone and invite them in. They come around the corner and I'm shocked and ecstatic. Josie! I scream in excitement and jump to go hug her.

We hug and jump like teenage girls again.

"What are you doing here?" I ask, making our way over to sit on the couch forcing Zach out of his spot.

"Came to see you, of course. I miss you." Josie looks so happy. I haven't seen her since the hospital and never got to hear about the Selection day. But based on her appearance, her and Alec are happy.

"I miss you too. Tell me how selection day went." I say grabbing her hand.

"Oh my goodness. It was amazing. Hanna had three suitors all try to claim her, she's engaged to one of Fenrir's descendants. A Lycan god. She said she wanted a werewolf god and she chose a Lycan god over two werewolf ones. But love is love." She told me about the night and it seems like everyone got their happily ever after. No one went home or stayed unmated. I was happy it all worked out. "How is it going here?" She asks glancing daggers at Luke, who is still standing in the doorway.

"Great. Although, there are some things I should tell you." I shoot Luke a look that he clearly understood as he motions for Zach to follow him out of the room leaving us to talk in peace.

"Okay, girl. Spill it." Josie snarks in jest.

"Okay so first, Luke and I are happy. I am happy and staying." I say and she nods in acknowledgement. I know that telling her I'm happy she will be more open to the rest I had to tell her.

"Second, Luke is actually Lucifer." I pause waiting for a reaction that didn't come.

Josie makes a face that portrays discomfort. "Yeah I know, Alec told me." She finally replies.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"I haven't seen you since I found out. I didn't have a chance to." She explains and I nod to show I understand.

"Third, I'm Luke's soulbound but Set is saying that I am his soulbound. So we have to prove he's lying."

At this Josie gasps and slaps a hand over her mouth in shock. A bit theatrical but I've come to love that about her.

"There is no way you are his soulbound. He is awful. While you were in the hospital he tried to come into the reaping house and take you. He was of course told to shove it by Anaya but he was scary. Be careful."

I nod knowing just how dangerous he could be. My bruised arm and neck still reminded me of the attack just a few days ago but somehow felt longer.

We talked for a couple hours before Josie excused herself to go home, promising we would see each other more often now that she knows where to find me. I never did find out how she got past the gate. Fae power probably.

Closing the door behind her as she leaves I head to Luke's office to tell him I'm headed to bed. His door is open. Peering in I see him sat at his desk going through paperwork. I wonder what he actually does. Like how does he run hell?

"Knock knock" I say. "I'm headed to bed. Are you going to join me?"

Luke looks up and sees me. He immediately stands up, dropping the papers on his desk. "Absolutely."

We both get changed and climb into bed. I know he doesn't want to pressure me into anything soon but it is starting to feel like he's scared to touch me. We steal kisses whenever we can but anything more he backs off right away.

" Would you like to cuddle?" I ask feverishly. I was currently facing away from him on the bed and it was dark so I couldn't see his reaction. There was no response. Then in a swift smooth motion I feel Luke wrap his arm around my waist and pulled me closer to him so that we were spooning. This was perfect. I felt safe and secure in his arms. It didn't take more than a minute for me to fall asleep in his arms. Happy and safe in the arms of my husband.