She
did this to him? Where is he?" Asmodeus demanded. Samael tipped his head toward the door. Asmodeus snarled and took a step toward it.
The Priest's terror had been coursing through him for most of the night. Luke hadn't reached out to him. Asmodeus had expected to see Luke frightened when he opened the door, but what he saw was worse than what he expected. His lover was sitting on the couch, legs bouncing, with his head in his hands. He could hear soft sobs coming from Luke's direction. Fury coursed through Asmodeus. How dare his niece cause this. She was supposed to keep him happy and safe.
His Priest paid him no attention when he walked in. Asmodeus wasn't sure if he even noticed he was there. He walked over to Luke quickly, dropping to his knees in front of the man as he approached him. Gently, Asmodeus took Luke's face into his hands. The Priest dropped his hands and stared into Asmodeus' eyes, but there was nothing there but sadness.
"It's okay, Priest, I am here now," Asmodeus brushed his thumbs over the soft skin of Luke's face, "You're safe. No one is going to hurt you."
Luke blinked his eyes. Asmodeus braced himself as the man launched himself into his arms, locking his arms around the demon's back. Asmodeus moaned lightly as Luke weaved his fingers through the feathers of his wings. Nothing felt better than that. No one had dared touch his wings before. Asmodeus returned the Priest's embrace. Luke relaxed into his grip. The terror still coursed freely through the bond, but Asmodeus also sensed his content. The demon tightened his grip on Luke, his outrage quickly overcoming his mate's fear.
"If you keep doing that, you're going to have to use one of our visits," Asmodeus teased. He heard Luke's laughter through his tears. Luke had buried his head into Asmodeus's chest, right over the spot where Asmodeus had accepted the man's mark. "Why didn't you call for me, Luke? Why was it my brother that brought me to your aid?"
The Priest sighed against his chest, "I was afraid of what she would do to you if I brought you here."
Asmodeus tensed. Of course the human was afraid of what would happen to him, "My niece can do a lot of things to me, Priest. But she cannot kill me. You are my husband, I am here to protect you."
Luke backed out of his grasp, which meant that his fingers were no longer twined in Asmodeus' wings. He felt strangely empty at the loss of that sensation. A smile was covering his face, even through his tears, and he reached up and stroked Asmodeus' cheeks. Asmodeus gripped the man's hips, relishing the feel of his hands.
"She may not be able to kill you, but she did tear you apart last time, As," Luke leaned forward and touched their foreheads together. Asmodeus never thought he would find such comfort in another's touch, much less this human's. But their proximity calmed him.
"A simple misunderstanding. I'm fine now," He dragged his hands up Luke's sides. The man shivered under his touch, but the action was achieving its purpose. His priest was no longer afraid.
"If that was a misunderstanding, I don't want to know what else she could do." Luke mused.
"You don't, priest, you're right about that."
Asmodeus lifted his face and brought his lips to Luke's. The priest moaned into his mouth as he returned his kiss. Asmodeus smiled as he pulled back. It was a simple act of comfort. Something he had never felt inclined to give before.
"By the way, you can call me Asme," Asmodeus smiled at him, "As sounds too much like ass."
Luke's laughter wrapped around him, warming him. "You're worried about your nickname sounding too much like ass?"
"Yes," Asmodeus said, "And since you refuse to call me Deus, Asme will do."
Luke stepped back and took his place back on the couch, and Asmodeus was happy that the fear was gone from him. The man reached forward and stroked one of Asmodeus' wings again. The delight in his eyes was enough to keep Asmodeus from stopping him. Besides, the feeling was absolutely
divine.
"You confuse me, but that's okay." Luke said, "Can you take me with you, though? I don't want to stay here."
Asmodeus acknowledged his brother's presence in the room for the first time. The look on Samael's face told him everything. He wouldn't be able to take his lover with him. As much as he wanted to, his lover was the future king. He couldn't leave this place. Although, his safety-his emotional safety- was in question after tonight. Asmodeus shook his head slowly.
"You know I can't do that, my love." He said slowly, "You know how to reach me if you need me. I will always answer you. Please don't be scared for my safety. I am safe."
"You can't take me even for a night?" Luke begged, "I have no power here, Asme."
Asmodeus warmed hearing his name come out of Luke's mouth. As much as he wanted to give in to Luke's demands, he couldn't. He grabbed Luke's hand and placed it over his heart, covering the mark on his chest.
"All of your power is right here," he pressed the priest's hand closer to his skin, "Right where it counts. I will always be here for you, day or night, I don't even care if I'm sleeping when you call. I will hear you. Luke, I am yours. For whatever that's worth, I am yours. You own a demon Prince."
Luke pressed his hand tighter to Asmodeus' chest, "It's worth everything to me."
Asmodeus covered Luke's hand with his own, "Good, because it means everything to me, too."
Asmodeus looked over to Samael, who was watching them with curiosity covering his face. Asmodeus stood, and Luke's hand fell from his chest. The warmth that was coming from the touch had disappeared. The demon sighed. He would do anything to take his lover with him.
"Samael, please house him away from Shynra. I don't think being around her is going to bring him any peace," He met his brother's eyes intently, "I don't want this to happen again. Allow me to see my husband whenever I please and I will let him stay here without a fight."
"Is that a threat, brother?" Samael teased, "Regardless, it's nice to see you care for someone for once. Luke will stay in your chambers here from now on. I can't promise that you can visit whenever you want, but I can present the idea."
"It's not a threat, it's a promise. If any harm is brought to him, I will take him. Consequences be damned." Asmodeus shifted his gaze to Luke, who was watching him with awe. "He may be future king here, but as my mate, he is already king of my territory. He rightfully belongs with
me
and my people."
Samael nodded in agreement, "Yes, he does, brother. But it is not my decision to let him go with you."
Asmodeus' anger filled the room, "You are king, Samael. She is just an heir, as am I. The final decision in this matter is yours, not hers. He is her equal and will share her throne, but she is not his choice, I am." Asmodeus ripped his shirt off. The L on his chest was glowing, and the pride he felt showing it for the first time? It was unreal. If it was right and proper, the Prince would walk around baring his mark all the time.
Samael sighed, "The comings and goings of this house is my business, so I can grant you this. You may come and go as you please. You cannot take him with you. Any outings must be approved through me, and Guard will accompany you if you leave these grounds with him. I will warn you, brother, do not take advantage of my kindness."
Asmodeus bowed his head, "I do not wish to take advantage of anyone. I just want access to my mate, especially when he is in distress."
"You have been granted access, now take him and get him settled. And then take your leave."
Asmodeus nodded and reached his hand out to Luke. The priest took it readily.
You're going to be okay, love.
Asmodeus probed his mind gently.
I promise I will never let anything happen to you.