Hell's Future Princess

Chapter 5

*Shae PoV*

His expression didn't change as he looked to my clothes in his closet before turning back to me. He shrugged and crossed his arms, leaning against the wall.

“That's a human term,” he replied. “I always preferred the term 'courting'.”

“Oh, so you've been courting me, is that it?” I asked sarcastically, turning to pull a red tank top out along with black cargo pants.

“For the past year or so, yes,” he said. I stopped rummaging through the drawer in his dresser dedicated to my undergarments and stared at him with my jaw open.

“What?”

He nonchalantly scratched his neck as he watched me, his expression still unchanging. I knew that meant he was nervous, however. “I decided about a year and a half ago to pursue my father's wishes to make you my mate. I told no one of this fact, for if it were going to happen, it would be by my terms and my doing alone, not anyone else. I was not going to allow my father, brother, or my father's council attempt to make your decision. If you decide to become my bride, it would be solely because you wished it. And if they knew, they would do everything in their power to attempt to force it on you.”

“Yet, you never wanted to tell me,” I said quietly.

“I did not want it to change things between us. I knew you weren't crazy about the idea of becoming a princess, so I didn't say anything because I didn't want to chase you away. Also, I wanted to win your affection with my own deeds, not because you could behold the title all other women here want. I do not want you to be my mate just to be my future queen. I wish for you to be my mate because... because I desire you.”

He finally turned away, his gaze casting out the window that overlooked all of Hell. His room was on the top floor of the palace, so the view was rather spectacular. But right now, all I had eyes for was him. “I'm sorry, Azazel, but did you just propose to me?”

“Heavens no,” he said, chuckling nervously as he smiled. “It is in no way a proposal, but... I have let you in on my intentions for you. One is in our future, if we continue as we are. In the meantime, I plan to continue courting you until you are ready. I just figured that it was time to know that I view this as more than just a s****l relationship.”

I stared at him for a short while longer before he finally turned his gaze back to me. I blinked, smiled, and gave a small nod before continuing to rummage for a good pair of panties. “Okay.”

“Okay?” he asked, his footsteps echoing as he walked towards me. “Okay what?”

“That you want to continue courting me,” I said, picking up a pair of plain white panties. I knew he would have an opinion about it.

“Well, I'm glad I have your permission to do what I was planning to do anyway,” he said, leaning down to rest his head on my shoulder. One arm wrapped around me as the other hand reached into the drawer to pull out a black,silky thong. “Wear this, and I'll make it worth your while later.”

“Are you saying you won't make it worth my while anyway?” I asked sardonically, leaning my head back to look at him.

“That's exactly what I'm saying,” he smirked, quirking his eyebrows suggestively. Knowing he was true to his word, I huffed and snatched the thong out of hand. His grin turned devilish, his abnormally large incisors shining in the firelight.

“You're a horny bastard, you know that?” I asked as I pushed away from him and put the garment on. He admired the sight, his eyes bright red in the reflection.

“And you're my lustful succubus,” he purred, turning me around so he could enjoy his choice in my clothing. His hand grazed my skin as I reached into the drawer and pulled out a black push up bra. He watched as I put it on, licking his lips. “Good enough to eat, kitten.”

“Later,” I said, not looking at him as I put my pants on. “We've already wasted more than half a day up here.”

“Who cares, there's no plans for today,” he said, frowning as I put on my shirt.

“I told your father I'd come by and see him this afternoon. He's been asking me to come see him for the past week.”

“Why?”

“Hell if I know. That's why I'm going to go see him.” I pulled on my ankle high leather combat boots and sat on his bed to tie up the strings.

Azazel grunted, crossing his arms. Lucifer and his oldest son didn't exactly get along. “I'm going with you.”

“Suit yourself,” I said, brushing my hair with the hairbrush on his dresser. “I can't promise it's going to be anything other than tea time anyway. It's been a while since I've seen him, and like you said yourself, I'm his favorite Nephilim.”

“Why haven't you been to see him?” Azazel asked as we left his room. He strode next to me with his head held high and a purpose to his gait, the steel in his boots echoing loudly in the hall. He walked like royalty. And here I was, having to remind myself not to slouch.

“I've been busy,” I said, giving him a sly smile. He raised his eyebrows and held an arm out for me. I tucked my hand in the crook of his elbow and we strolled through the palace to the throne room where the ruler of Hell was sure to be.

When we arrived, I went to knock on the door, but a hand much larger than mine beat me to it. Azazel's knuckles briskly knocked on the door, strong enough to pound through the metal and announce that it was indeed him. I rolled my eyes and shook my head, knowing he'd done it on purpose. The look he gave me with the smirk following only confirmed these suspicions.

The door opened on it's own accord, and revealed Lucifer within, staring out the window overlooking his kingdom. Now, I know what you're thinking. Lucifer, ruler of Hell, betrayer of God, and super hideous demon, right? Well, the only thing you've got right is 'ruler of Hell'. The only ones who call him by the monikers of Satan, the Devil, and all the others are those that don't actually know him.

However, I'd known him since my third day here in Hell. To be quite honest, I was rather fond of him. He'd become a father of sorts to me, which is ironic since he just might be my father-in-law someday. Wait, did I seriously just think that? Tone it down there, Cinderella.

So, Lucifer. He's super tall, even taller than his beast of a son next to me, reaching probably close to 7 feet in height. I really couldn't be sure though, I've never been good with measurements. His hair is silky soft, just like his fellow angels, and is black as the night. He is broad and powerful, with pale skin that is so different than his crown prince.

He is also far from ugly. He has ultimate beauty that melts hearts, and even I had been enamored with him when I first came here. I was 15 when I died, so I had the mentality of a teenager and I was instantly lovestruck with him. I'd been seeing angels and demons on the streets since I could remember, and none could have matched the beauty of Lucifer, with the smoothness of his skin and small dimple in his chin.

Azazel had gained his beauty from his father, but in ways, Azazel was... more handsome. Where Lu was ethereal, Azazel was more realistic and... well, manly. That came from his human half, I suppose. But honestly, if you didn't know the two were related, you'd probably never put two and two together. I know I hadn't until I was told.

Lucifer turned to look at us, and his garnet eyes, so like his son's, widened at the sight of us. Then a smile broke his features and he held his arms open. “Shae, you've answered my call at last.”

“Hi, Lu,” I said with a bright smile and practically ran across the room into his arms. He hugged me as tightly as I did him, and the door behind me closed with a scoff from the being responsible.

“Nice to see you too, father, I'm great, thanks for asking,” Azazel mumbled under his breath as he walked over to us. We pulled from our embrace and Lucifer frowned at his prince.

“I wasn't ignoring you, Azazel, it's just been a few months since I've seen her. We live in the same palace and yet she's always hidden away somewhere. I'm sure I have you to thank?”

“Naturally,” Azazel replied, picking at his nails and avoiding his father's gaze. I sighed and rubbed my forehead. I should have known it was a bad idea to bring him along.

“As glad as I am the two of you are getting along so well, it would be nice to see you, both of you, from time to time,” Lu sighed, shaking his head. He put his arm around my shoulders and led me across the throne room and towards the door his meeting room was behind. “Come along and have a seat, I wish to talk with you.”

Azazel's boots echoed behind us as he followed, and I could feel a possessiveness coming off him that I'd never noticed before. Had it always been there, or was he just done hiding it with his confessions. I peaked over Lu's arm at him, and he was watching me like a snake ready to strike. Yeah, this was definitely new. “Why hadn't you asked to see me?” he asked his father, his eyes still on me.

“This was honestly just a topic I had for Shae,” Lu answered, opening the door and ushering me in. “In fact, son, I'd rather have this conversation with her alone.”

“Yeah, not gonna happen,” Azazel said darkly, pushing his way in after me. He took control of my movements, placing his hand possessively on my hip as he led me to a seat. His eyes were now on Lucifer and his glare was downright venomous. Seriously, what the Hell was going on? I stared at him curiously as he held my seat out for me, but he was paying me no attention. Lucifer had also noticed and was staring back at his son with narrowed eyes.