The sun warmed Luciel's flesh as she ran into the cool waters of the river. She dove beneath the glittering surface once the water reached her waist, then resurfaced with a gasp, rubbing the water from her eyes. The chilly water caused her nipples to pebble and raise goose bumps on her skin. Closing her eyes, she let the sunshine warm her face. The heat didn't last very long, though, a shadow coming over the source of light. She opened her eyes once more, expecting to see a cloud overhead. It was Davariel.
His bright red wings looked like a red blur behind him, and the sun made his billowing hair look like golden flames.
A golden god.
He smiled and reached for her.
Panicked, she turned to run to shore, but he grasped her from behind and swooped straight up, taking her breath away from the momentum. Luciel barely got her breath back when he tossed her up. She screamed before remembering her powers, but he caught her again. This time she faced him as he enfolded her in his strong arms. Instinctively, she wrapped her arms and legs around him, her heart pounding.
"My love," he sighed with a smile.
"Asshole," she retorted, giving his hair a yank.
He frowned. "You're not being very nice. Perhaps I should drop you."
"Go right ahead, dumbass," she retorted, eyes narrowed.
His hands caressed her bottom. "I think I prefer you just where you are."
"Hey! Stop that!" She wiggled trying to get him to take his hand off her rear.
His eyes rolled up in ecstasy, "Oh, Luci! Yes! Keep moving like that."
Belated, she realized she'd been grinding herself against his swollen penis. She gasped, eyes wide. "Horny, bas..."
His mouth slanted over hers, silencing her with a kiss.
Davariel was an excellent kisser. The tip of his tongue darted into her mouth, teasing her with little tastes of him.
Closing her eyes, she melted against him with a sigh. Her mouth devoured his the way she'd longed to do for so long.
He raised his thighs so her bottom rested against them, then used his hands to bring her up and down against him, while he moved his hips to intensify the sensation.
She felt herself grow moist, eager for his penetration and whimpered. Luciel buried her fingers in his hair. Soft, so soft. Her other hand lowered to his chest, feeling the silky skin over his taut muscles. She felt his pert nipple against the palm of her hand as she squeezed his bulging pectoral.
"Luci, I love you," he whispered against her lips. "Please...tell me you love me too."
Luciel felt him give a startled lurch and opened her eyes. The intensity of emotion in his glowing gaze moved her. A single tear rolled down Davariel's rosy cheek.
"T-tell me... you love m-m..."
His lids began to droop, the fire in his eyes waning. She looked down, wondering what was wrong with him, then stared horrified... at his beating heart in her bloodied hand.
They dropped.
Luciel sat up screaming in her bed.
With a heartfelt sob, she realized it had been nothing more than a nightmare. One of many that plagued her since the night Davariel left after the demons raped him. A week had gone by, but he'd never returned.
Someone had drawn a warm bath for her by the fireplace in the bedroom. Grateful, Luciel submerged herself into the old-fashioned copper tub with a weary sigh and closed her eyes.
How am I going to do this? I got to kill him, but...heaven help, me I don't think I can.
The scientists from the Edenian council told her cutting his wings off would incapacitate him. It would break the hold the demons had over him. He would no longer be their puppet, but she still needed to kill him. There was nothing more dangerous than a rogue reaper and Davariel was a mutation to boot. Luciel had to find the strength to do it. The entire universe was doomed if she didn't.
But, oh, God—he's not what I thought he was. They're just using him. He's not....
The water sloshing in the tub startled her. She stared bewildered as Davariel jumped in and molded his virile body against hers, kissing her, barely able to keep from smiling as his tongue dipped into her mouth. His ever-erect cock prodded her concave belly.
"Luci, I missed you." He was giddy and nipped playfully at her neck. He looked different, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it. "Did you miss me too?"
She put her palms against his hard, muscular chest and pushed, budging him a few inches back—because he let her. "What's...up with you?"
He chuckled and splashed her face before moving to sit his delectable ass on her thighs, straddling her in the tub.
She wiped the water from her eyes and glared at his beaming face. His blood-red devil's wings spread out over the rim of the metal tub as he rested his elbows on the edges, gazing at her with open curiosity.
Luciel narrowed her eyes. There was something different about him.
He looked... ridiculously happy. What in hell's name could this fool be happy about?
*******
Unable to resist, Davariel grasped her arm and pressed his nose against her wet skin. He inhaled deeply wanting to drown himself in her scent.
She yanked her arm away with a scowl and snapped in irritation, "Why do you always smell me?"
"I like your...."
"I know- I know! You like my scent. Still, stop doing that or I'm going to slap you."
He bit his lower lip. The desire to kiss her almost had him moaning. Again, he leaned toward her. "Did you miss me, my love?"
She scoffed at his words, pushing his hand away when he tried to caress her cheek. "You don't know the meaning of the word love, demon."
Her words sliced through him like a knife. Could he be wrong about the scent she emanated? Was he so desperate for love he was deluding himself to feel it where it did not exist? It wouldn't be the first time.
He sighed, looking away. "No. I guess you're right. No one has ever really loved me."
"Nor have you ever loved anyone."
He pondered her words for a moment. Had he ever loved before? Levinia came to mind. Even after becoming dark prince he'd never sought her out to harm her. He knew now that it had only been a childish crush. What did love mean for Luci?
