Asmodeus leaned his head against the wall. When Luke left, he was surprised at how he felt. Had he really admitted to wanting to bond with the human? He had pretended like the pain had subsided this morning, but really it hadn't. It had settled deep in his mending bones. Having Luke next to him had helped keep it at bay. His niece's burst of power had actually impressed him. He knew she would grow into the power she was born with, but Luke brought it out hard and fast.
It was true that he wanted his brother's throne, but he wouldn't sacrifice Luke to do it. He couldn't. The way the priest looked up at him... Asmodeus couldn't deny his growing attraction to him. Not that he had ever doubted he was attracted to the priest. He had laid eyes on the man long before Shynra had. When he came to her cottage and saw her mark on Luke's back? He had about flown into a rage right there. He had planned on inserting himself into the Priest's life slowly, but Shynra had flown in like a tornado and swept him away.
Asmodeus shook his head. It did no good to dwell on it. Shynra had agreed to let him 'visit' Luke. Whatever those terms would be, Asmodeus would follow them. Being a small part of the man's life was better than not being in it at all.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Luke sucked in a deep breath as Lily led him into her father's office. The room was larger than life. It matched the formidable man sitting behind a solid wood desk. He would have guessed it was mahogany, but he wasn't sure that mahogany existed here. The King sat behind his desk. He wasn't quite as regal as Luke imagined a king would be. Lily's father looked up at them. There was nothing but admiration in his eyes. Strangely, Luke felt at ease.
"Look at the lovely couple!" He exclaimed. Luke smiled awkwardly. He had only met Lily's father once, and he had never held a conversation with him.
"Indeed," Lily beamed, and reached over to take Luke's hand in hers. He welcomed the feeling of her dainty palm in his hand and clasped his hand over hers quickly.
"We may look good, but that doesn't mean we're not broken," Luke muttered. Lily tightened her hand around his, not in warning, but in comfort. Her eyes were downcast. He felt the guilt in her. She knew she hated the pain he was going through right now.
"Yes, my daughter seems to take after her father in that regard. You'll have to excuse her hasty decision making, Priest. My line tends to do anything for those they hold dear, you can ask her mother about that," Samael winked at Lily.
"What did you need us for, Dad?" Lily asked quietly.
Samael motioned to the couch at the far end of the room. "Please, take a seat. Make yourselves comfortable. It's just a friendly chat."
Luke obliged. The couch was quite comfortable.
"Luke, I heard you went to visit my brother after the incident last night. Tell me, how is he this morning?" Samael started.
"As well as can be expected, I suppose. After having every bone in his body crushed and pulled from their sockets. And then denied his healing speed. He was in agony all night." Luke said tightly.
"Destruction would have rained on us all if he had his power last night. Surely he told you that," Samael said, "But never mind that, I want to know how you came to care for two of the most dear people in my life. My daughter and heir, and my brother, her archnemesis. It is interesting to me."
Luke shrugged, "How do you come to care about anyone?"
"Well, I mean, my brother did kidnap you. He stole you from Shynra, refused to give you back. What made you want to go back to him?"
"Father, do we have to discuss this?" Lily asked, the pain evident in her voice. Luke reached over and grabbed her thigh. He was angry at her, but she was hurt, too.
"I honestly don't know, sir. I felt drawn to." Luke answered honestly. "I wanted to be with him and being around him calms my spirit."
"Hmm. You don't have any other strange marks on you, do you?" Samael asked.
Lily's eyes bulged at her father's implication, "You don't think that Asmodeus would dare mark him, do you?"
Her father shook his head, "No, I don't. I don't think he would ever do such a thing intentionally. Asmodeus loves his immortality, he would never bind himself with a lesser being. No offense, Priest."
"None taken," Luke sighed, "No, I haven't noticed any other marks."
"Good, good." Samael looked over to Lily. "Shynra, I heard you offered Asmodeus visitation, that's big of you."
"If it will keep Luke happy, I will do anything." Lily replied.
"Indeed. Luke, has anyone asked you how you feel about that? Or how you feel about any of this, for that matter?" Samael asked.
Luke shook his head, "No, no they didn't."
"Well, how do you feel?" Samael nudged.
"Overwhelmed," Luke replied, "Like I don't have control over my life anymore."
"If we gave you control over it, where would you go? With Asmodeus or would you stay here with Shynra?"
Luke thought for a moment. As he thought, he realized he didn't really need to. "I'd stay here with Li... Shynra."
Samael chuckled, "You know her by her human persona, I forget. But you can't forget that she is a demon, as is my brother. She is a very powerful demon, at that."
"Yes, I've seen that," Luke said bitterly. "I'd still stay here with her. I may care about Asmodeus, but I don't know his motives. I know hers, and I know they're all in my favor. Even her letting Asmodeus come see me. She's doing that for me."
Samael nodded in agreement, "She is doing that for you. You are right. How do you feel about everything else? About being King one day?"
"Like it will probably be another thousand years before that ever happens. And I don't know if I want to live that long," Luke said truthfully.
"I understand that. You were not born to this world with the promise of eternal life, it has been gifted to you halfway through yours. It's understandable that it would frighten you."
"What do you even do with an indefinite lifespan?" Luke asked.
"Keep busy," Lily said softly, "You keep busy."
"Luke, if you want this, we will ready you for your role as Shynra's king, as her equal. That's what you are. You have proved that you are powerful enough in your own right by being able to survive her bond. You just need to find out what your power is and hold on to it."
"Do I actually have a choice?"
Samael cocked his head to the side, "You may be in Hell, Luke, but you always have a choice. You are a member of the Royal family whether you want to be or not. You have to choose to accept your role. I'm sure Shynra has explained how important consent is here."
Luke nodded, "She has, but I thought that only applied to her."
"At first it did. Now you are bound to her, everyone has to show you the same courtesy. You are an authority here, Luke. Our servants will refer to you as your title, 'his highness', or 'your highness'. You are not used to being royalty, but that's what you are to our people. They love you, they respect you, they look up to you. They will look to you for decisions. Are you prepared for that?"
Luke shook his head slowly, "No. But I can learn to be."
"You're used to being an authority figure at your church, this isn't much different. You know how to lead, you are charismatic, you talk to large groups of people with ease. It will come more naturally than you think. We have faith in you to bring our people together alongside Shynra."
Luke squeezed Lily's thigh a little harder. She laid her hand on top of his. She could feel how overwhelmed he was.
"Luke, you will never be alone in this," she reassured him, "I will always be by your side. We cannot rule separately."
"She's right, son." Samael said softly, "You will never be alone. You will always have a guide, but you must choose this."
"It's a big decision to make in the moment, don't you think?" Luke said nervously.
"Every decision you make as a ruler will be big, son. And it will have the ability to affect many lives that are under your care. Get used to making them now rather than waiting until you have no choice."
Luke swallowed harshly, trying to clear the lump in his throat. "I'll do anything if Lil.. Shynra is by my side."
Samael clapped his hands together with pride, "You chose well, Shynra! Now, why don't we put forward negotiations with my brother? We need to get him out of here."
Excitement rushed through Luke at the thought of seeing Asmodeus again. Lily nodded, and Samael pulled a small phone out of his pocket. About ten minutes later, Samael's Guard walked in with Asmodeus. The demon was still bound, but now he was also clothed. His eyes searched wildly around the room until they landed warmly on Luke. Luke wanted nothing more than to get up and pull the demon into an embrace, but he had the distinct feeling that would be frowned upon.
"Nice of you to join us, brother," Samael said and pointed to a seat across from Luke and Lily. "Take a seat."