Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Lucifer was completely, irresistibly drawn to her. It wasn’t the perfect curve of her milky-white breasts under the wisps of dark black hair, or the way her face looked delicate and smooth compared to the puffy cheeks of the cherubim he was used to sleeping with. It wasn’t even that, unlike everyone else in the Silver City, she was always completely naked, in fact had never worn clothes in her entire life. No. It was the fact that she was wholly, utterly, unavailable to him. To touch her would mean to lose everything—his status, title, maybe even his family. For once he had to control his desire, and it only made him want her more. He watched with desperate agony as she moved under the water, the droplets forming delicate points under her nipples.

He wasn’t even supposed to be in the garden. The place sat on the outskirts of the Silver City, and, despite being only a short flight from the palace, no one ever went there. Lucifer had only found himself within its walls, at least the first time, by accident. His mother had asked him to pick some of the apples that grew from the tree that hung over the garden wall. An odd request, seeing as his mother usually refused to even mention the garden. She had hated it ever since his father had cut the hole in the wall… but Lucifer didn’t like to think about that. His parents’ marital problems were the kind of thing he would just as soon block out. He had agreed to get her the apples without asking too many questions. 

Lucifer had walked over to the tree, whose branches sagged with age, descending over the wall to just within arm’s reach. It was a contorted, gnarled thing that looked like it had existed since the beginning of time. The wall itself was almost 30 feet high, and covered in thick, coarse ivy. In truth, Lucifer didn’t like being there either. It reminded him of his family’s breakdown, his mother’s sadness. He planned to collect these apples quickly and get out. The whole area around the garden had an eerie, abandoned feel to it. Even his father hadn’t been there for nearly eighty years. Ever since the “incident,” he’d locked himself in his tower and hadn’t spoken to anyone. The weight of his parents’ animosity hung over the place like a cloud. 

But as he filled his large bag, Lucifer suddenly heard humming. The melody was light and full of energy, in sharp contrast to his gloomy surroundings. It was a women’s voice, and Lucifer couldn’t help but be intrigued. He was only 180 years old, a teenager by angel standards, with all the hormones of adulthood and none of the restraint. He immediately imagined the owner of this voice to be incredibly beautiful. He figured he could just fly up over the wall and get a look. Of course, his father had expressly forbidden anyone to go inside the garden. But flying overhead wasn’t the same as going in… he decided.

He launched into the air. Soon, he was about a hundred feet up, and could see the expanse of vegetation spread out below him. It seemed to cover acres and acres. From his height, it looked like a deep green carpet, permeated by the blue lines and dots of rivers and lakes. He hovered for a moment, taking it all in. He suddenly wondered how he had lived in the Silver City all his life, had experienced nearly every inch of heaven, and yet he had never seen it. A strong curiosity came over him.

He swerved downward until he was about thirty feet above the treetops. From there he could see it wasn’t really a garden at all, but more like a lush, vibrant jungle. Trees and ferns exploded into all available space. It was also bursting with color. On the forest floor, in between breaks in the trees, he could see purple orchids and bright orange birds of paradise. Above the treetops, blue and red parrots flew amidst a rainbow of all possible shades of green.

As he hovered above, admiring its beauty, a thought suddenly occurred to him. His father had never intended for him to see this. It was made for someone else. Everything else he’d ever seen, everything in the Silver City, had been created specifically for him and his siblings. It was all… controlled. But this was outside of that little world. It seemed wild—a true frontier. Anything could happen. He felt drawn to it.

He continued slowly, drifting over the treetops, carefully scanning the landscape for the owner of the voice. Finally, he saw a figure up ahead. He flew towards it, a pale pink blur in the distance. He was hastily approaching when suddenly he stopped. His lips parted slightly. He was still far enough away that he couldn’t make out the details, but he was sure of one thing: she was completely naked. 

Without thinking, he flew closer. Lower and lower. He tried to stay behind her so that she wouldn’t see him, but for a moment she glanced to the side and he could see her face. It was bright, with a curiosity and energy that he usually did not see from the cherubim. While some of the race of workers who ran the Silver City could be quite beautiful, they lacked… complexity. This woman seemed different from them somehow. More spirited. More alive. And then he remembered that she was indeed different. She was a human. He’d never seen one before. All he knew of humans was that his father had been so enraptured by them that he had abandoned his family and spent all his time taking care of them. Perhaps he should have felt resentful. But that face… he was simply full of curiosity.

She was standing in a small clearing. Behind her, he noticed a tall row of trees. He flew around, making an effort to stay behind them. Frustratingly, the leaves were so dense that they obscured any view of her. He went a little lower, getting a foothold in one of the branches and standing for a moment. From there, he saw that she had walked into a pool of water just beyond a tall waterfall. It crashed downward with enormous energy right behind her bare back, its white droplets spraying excitedly into the air.

He was desperate to see more. To see the front of her. But the angle from behind the trees blocked his view. So he flew to the right, where a row of thick Kapok trees stood facing her. They were shorter, however, and he had to lower himself to keep behind them. As he got closer, he caught sight of her softly curving hips submerging into the water. He took a breath. He kept his eyes glued to her body, watching for those hips through a small window in the leaves. He kept watching, waiting… until… suddenly, he felt his feet hit something. He looked down, and was immediately filled with horror.

His feet were on the ground.

He swallowed. For several seconds he didn’t move. Everything was quiet except for the squawking of parrots and the rushing of the waterfall.

His thoughts suddenly went to his brother, Lezmegadiel. Several years ago, he had drunken from their father’s fountain. This had been strictly forbidden, but Dad had been gone so long, locked in his tower, no one thought he cared anymore. Of course he was all-seeing, but was he even paying attention?

But Dad’s vengeance had been swift. Lezmegadiel had been whisked away, and no one saw or heard from him for almost 30 years. When he finally returned, he was… changed. He wouldn’t say anything about what had happened, but it seemed clear from his manner that he’d been through some kind of torture. Lucifer couldn’t be sure, but he had a feeling the punishment for entering the forbidden garden must be even more severe. Lucifer stood motionless, waiting to be smited.

Several minutes passed.

Finally, he let out a breath. The birds still yammered and the waterfall still roared. He looked around himself in disbelief. Nothing had happened. Why?

Of course, he knew he should be grateful. He knew that he ought to immediately launch himself into the air, and get as far away from the garden as he possibly could. And yet… the sound of humming drifted lightly over him, drawing him again like a siren song. Without being fully aware, he pulled in his wings, and turned his gaze back to the opening in the leaves.

Now, firmly on the ground, he had a clearer view of her. She was crouching in the pool, and dove forward with relish. She then waded peacefully, her head floating above the water line, looking up towards the sky as heaven’s bright light bathed her face. She seemed to be alone, yet she smiled broadly, as if sharing a joyful moment with someone.

Lucifer looked on with a sense of wonder. She had deep, dark eyes, creamy-white skin, and long, black hair that floated lazily behind her in the water. Her face could almost have been that of a cherub, if an astonishingly beautiful one. And yet, there was something in her eyes that seemed… different. A freshness. An originality that drew him in. Somehow he could sense that she was something entirely new, completely removed from anything he had ever experienced. For a brief moment, his fear of his father, his terror at being discovered in the garden seemed to melt away, and he simply watched her, transfixed.  

Abruptly, she seemed to notice something on the shore. She squinted, looking carefully at the rocky bank that lined the pool. And then, suddenly, she rose out of the water. Lucifer swallowed. Her torso was now clearly visible to him, only a few feet from where he stood. Her perfectly rounded breasts, wet from the pool, seemed to sparkle. For several seconds he didn’t breathe, keeping his eyes fixed on them, watching their pinkened tips as they gently rocked with her movements.

As she got closer to the bank, Lucifer could see more of her—those softly curving hips seemed to glide tantalizingly above the water, which reached just up to the junction of her thighs. Lucifer abruptly exhaled, his breath starting to quicken. Soon, she began moving up the bank, revealing a pair of tall, slender legs. He stared at them as they brushed temptingly against bits of sea grass.

He felt his insides squirm, desire building inside of him like flood, threatening to wash away what little judgement he had left. He could feel the adrenaline pulsating throughout his young body, as if compelling him to take a step out from behind the trees. To approach her. To speak to her… But… he cursed his father. 

She stepped onto the bank, her eyes glued to some unknown object on the shore. She took a few steps, then knelt down to pick it up. As she did so, her long, dark, wavy hair fell delicately over her pale skin. She lifted up a deep blue pebble and held it to the light. It shimmered, refracting the rays in a multitude of color. She smiled broadly as if seeing such a thing for the first time, her eyes full of energy and wonder.    

He thought about what it would be like to touch her. Would it be the same as with the cherub women he’d been with in the past? And what would happen if he spoke to her? Would she be drawn to him, as they were? Or would she be somehow immune? What he wouldn’t give to try.

Suddenly, she turned sharply in Lucifer’s direction. He frantically ducked lower beneath the leaves. She seemed almost to see him, looking directly at where he stood. He felt a quick rush of excitement followed by dread. He imagined her coming behind the trees, draping her arms around him. He’d run his hands over those soft, firm thighs, picking her up and wrapping them around his torso, pressing himself against… But no. He mustn’t think like that. He couldn’t get caught. That would be the end of everything. His status… his family… It was bad enough that he was in the garden. If he actually talked to her… he swallowed.

Luckily, her gaze drifted. Lucifer looked at her eyes. Despite her smile, Lucifer sensed a hint of longing. He was attuned to seeing people’s desires, and she was replete with it, covered in wanting. Abruptly, she jumped back into the pool and swam underneath the rushing waterfall. As she stood up, her breasts peeked out delicately from beneath the swiftly pounding water. Lucifer trembled.

He watched her for a long time, though he didn’t notice the time passing.

Eventually she left the pool. Reluctantly, he spread his wings and launched up into the air, his desire pressing painfully on him. He knew he’d be back, despite the danger of his father’s reprisal. There was just something about her… He headed toward home, the first of many times he’d be forced to relieve that pressure himself. Pressure he would always feel after watching her. With those curves… and those eyes full of energy. It was too much. If he could just talk to her, he felt sure his powers of seduction would work their magic. But Father would never allow it. Why? Why couldn’t he have her? Why was he barred from this place?

And why… why wasn’t he immediately punished for being there?

As his mind ran through the possibilities, he made his way through the clouds, over the outskirts of the Silver City. Soon, the tallest of the palace spires, shooting hundreds of feet into the air, began to come into view.  

Chapter Text

Three boys, looking about 10 or 11 years old, stood at the base of the tallest of the palace spires, gazing up at it in awe. 

“Bet you can’t make it to the top!” One of them taunted the other two. Despite his mocking tone, his smile was warm and infectious. Messy locks of brown hair coiled themselves above a pair of deep brown eyes that seemed to radiate pure joy. A pair of pink, rounded cheeks jutted out below them, highlighting his otherwise milky skin. 

“Pssht, of course I can, Luci,” said the tall, self-assured boy, the eldest of the trio, with dark brown skin and a broad smile that seemed far too big for his face. He laughed proudly. “You  know  I’m the best flyer of all of us. If you say you made it up there, I know I can.”

“But I still beat you in battle practice today,” said the third boy, with a sheepish grin. He looked exactly like Lucifer, but with shorter hair, and eyes that were more anxious, lacking his twin’s exuberance. 

“Yeah Michael, you’ve brought that up like three times now. Only, I told you, it was a fluke,” the tall boy said with confidence. “You got lucky ONE time. It was only cause Uriel distracted me. Little brat…”

Michael’s smile faded a bit, but Lucifer chuckled good naturedly, slapping the tall boy on the back. “Sure, Amenadiel. Of course. It was all someone else’s fault.”

Amenadiel scowled. Lucifer laughed again, enjoying his brother’s reaction. 

“Prove me wrong!” he said. “Beat me to the top!” With that, a pair of snow-white wings shot out of Lucifer’s back. He immediately bolted into the air, leaving the other two boys to stare up at him for a moment. Amenadiel quickly realized what was happening though, and his own wings shot out. Michael followed, and the two of them struggled to catch up to Lucifer who was far ahead of them by now. 

Soon, all three were far enough from the ground that the trees and garden below looked like ants, and all around them was nothing but blue sky and white, fluffy mist. 

Amenadiel and Michael struggled, flapping furiously to catch up to Lucifer’s figure soaring far above them. But as they finally began to approach, they noticed that his blurred body was no longer getting further away. In fact, it seemed to be coming towards them. As they got closer, they could see that Lucifer’s wings were tucked in, and he was rocketing toward them headfirst, as if in a pencil dive.

“What’s happening?” Michael asked, a slight edge of concern creeping into his voice. 

“Are you okay, Luci?” Amenadiel yelled up to the figure.   

But Lucifer did not respond. He continued to barrel down toward them, his body getting larger and larger by the second. Michael started to get nervous. Could Lucifer really not fly for some reason? Would they have to try to catch him? 

Soon, it appeared as if Lucifer would plow right into them. Amenadiel and Michael darted to either side of him to avoid a collision. Then, just as Lucifer fell in between his two brothers, his wings shot out like a pair of nunchucks, knocking both Amenadiel and Michael far off course, tumbling backwards. After a series of aerial summersaults, the two struggled to get their bearings, frantically flapping their wings to maintain their height. Lucifer, meanwhile, floated effortlessly above them, letting out a roar of victorious laughter. 

On hearing Lucifer laugh, Michael and Amenadiel suddenly regained composure. Now it was clear: this was war. 

Amenadiel shot up first, a look of determination spread over his normally kind, boyish features. He was, indeed, the best flyer of the bunch, and made quick work of catching up. Soon he overtook Lucifer, and rammed into him with all his might. Lucifer toppled backwards, and Amenadiel gave a triumphant chuckle, before setting his sights on the door at the tip of the spire, which was now starting to come into view. 

But suddenly, Amenadiel felt a tug on his legs. Unable to overtake his brother, Michael had grabbed hold of Amenadiel’s knees, and was attempting to pull him downward. Amenadiel struggled to free himself, shaking and twisting. Eventually, Michael started to slide down Amenadiel’s legs, until he was only gripping his boots. The boots started to slide as well, working their way down past Amenadiel’s heels and finally off his feet altogether. Michael let go, allowing the footwear to fall hundreds of feet down toward the ground. But Amenadiel, free of Michael, didn’t seem to notice. He propelled himself forward and reached the entrance to the spire, grabbing the ledge and pulling himself in.

“I did it! I am VICTORIOUS! I am LORD OF THE SPIRE!! HahahaHA!” he yelled, dancing ecstatically around the tiny room, shaking his fists in the air and stomping his now naked feet on the wooden floor. 

Michael, looking somewhat disappointed, pulled himself in after Amenadiel. He rolled his eyes, and flopped down on a pile of hay that had been left in the old room.

A moment later, Lucifer entered, holding his sides with laughter. “Brother!” he said, between panting from the effort of flying and uncontrollable fits of laughter— “You… you…your shoes!” He pointed to Amenadiel’s bare feet. Michael looked down. The sight of Amenadiel’s naked toes made Michael also start to giggle. Amenadiel looked annoyed.

“This guy tore them off of me!” He said, pointing at Michael. “But it doesn’t matter because I  still  won!”

Lucifer finally started to catch his breath. “You’d better go get them, brother,” he said, sighing as he collapsed down on the hay next to Michael. And then, with some malice, “Hopefully they didn’t shatter into a million pieces when they hit the ground…”

“You know they didn’t,” Amenadiel said emphatically, shaking his head at Lucifer.  “Those are strong, warrior boots.” He looked down out the window, staring dismally at the long expanse of space below him. “But I guess I’d better go look for them… You two, stay here! I’ll be right back.”

“Don’t tell us what to do!” Michael said defiantly. 

Amenadiel rolled his eyes, and jumped backward out the spire window.

“He thinks he’s the best at everything,” Michael scoffed, turning to Lucifer.

“He’s just mad because you beat him today,” said Lucifer, patting the straw into a pile to make himself a more comfortable pillow.

Michael smiled giddily at the recollection. “Do you think… you think Dad will let me sit next to him at dinner tonight? Because I won… so maybe…”

“Yeah, maybe.” Lucifer said, matter-of-factly. “You fought well today. It was obvious  Dad was impressed.” 

Lucifer turned away from his brother and stared down at the hay next to him. He suddenly seemed distracted.

Michael grinned delightedly at Lucifer’s words, unable to hide his excitement. “I mean, I know you always get to sit at the head of the table with Dad,” he said. “But he hasn’t let me sit there in a while…” Michael sat up as he spoke. He looked down at his brother and noticed his absentminded gaze. He suddenly stopped. 

“You’re afraid of something, brother,” Michael said. 

Lucifer quickly shifted, shaking off his look of apprehension and putting on his usual smile. 

“What? What would I be afraid of?” he said dismissively. 

“I don’t know. But it’s my gift, and you’re my twin. You’re obviously afraid of something.” Michael stared at Lucifer, curiously.  

Lucifer sat up uncomfortably. He didn’t really want to say anything. But somehow, Michael always had a way of getting him to open up, especially about his fears. “I wouldn’t say I’m afraid …” he said carefully. “Just a bit concerned. It’s just that… Dad hasn’t talked to me in over a week. And I don’t know why. Except for when we have class together, he hasn’t talked to me at all. I don’t know. Maybe he’s mad at me?” He shuffled the hay awkwardly. 

“Why would he be mad at you?” Michael asked. 

“I don’t know. Maybe because I’ve been failing at Sumerian for a while now. I’m no good at it. I hate languages! I don’t know why Dad keeps inventing new ones anyway… He keeps saying that it’s a gift, but for who?? If it’s a gift for me, I don’t want it. I already know 30 different ways to say the same thing. Why do I need more?? Anyways, you probably will get to sit at the head of the table tonight. For me, I don’t know if I’ll ever sit there again.” Lucifer let out a sigh.   

At this, Michael burst into a hearty laugh. 

Lucifer looked at him. Then he turned bright red, and his lips hardened. “What are you laughing at!?” he asked. 

“I’m laughing because you’re Dad’s favorite and you don’t even know it,” Michael said, rolling his eyes. 

Lucifer looked shocked. “No, I’m not,” he scoffed. 

“Yes, you are,” Michael said with certainty. “Everyone knows it. No one would tell you to your face, but everyone knows. We all know.”

Lucifer stared at Michael. “Really?” he asked, allowing a hint of hopefulness to come into his voice.

“Yes, really,” Michael said with certainty, laying back down on the hay. “It’s obvious.” And then, with a bit of annoyance, “Everyone hates you for it.”

A proud smile he couldn’t help etched itself across Lucifer’s face. But as a thought seemed to strike him, his look quickly changed into one of suspicion. “Wait… if no one would tell me to my face… why are you telling me?” he asked. 

Michael shrugged. “I don’t know. You seemed worried. Anyway, don’t worry about Dad being mad. He’s probably just busy. You know he always has to be in the garden with his pets all the time.”

Lucifer again looked thoughtful. He was quiet for several moments. “Do you hate me?” he finally asked.  

There was a pause. “Sort of,” Michael finally answered, honestly. “But… I don’t know. You… you always stick up for me.” 

Lucifer didn’t say anything. The suspicious look left his face and a comfortable smile formed. “Of course,” he said, looking at his brother. “You’re my twin.”  

Michael smiled too. The two boys lay side by side. They stared awkwardly up at the pointed ceiling of the spire for what seemed like a long time. Then, Lucifer sat up and began rifling through the hay. 

“I found this thing last time I was here…” he said, quickly changing the subject. 

After a moment of searching, he pulled out a small golden harp, about the size of a cantaloupe. 

“What is it?” Michael asked, awed with the shiny object. 

“I don’t know, but listen,” Lucifer started plucking the strings and a soft, gentle melody emerged. Michael sat, staring, seemingly entranced. Lucifer continued to play, his face losing its familiar smile in a look of quiet concentration. They both listened intently as more delicate harmonies sprouted from the strings. Michael looked at his brother in awe. Music was clearly one of his gifts. Yet another ability Lucifer possessed that Michael felt sure he would always lack.

Soon, the harp strings began to glow. They radiated a soft, greenish-white light that took on an iridescent shimmer. Lucifer and Michael glanced at each other in surprise, but Lucifer continued to play, curious what might happen next. 

The harp continued to glow, until tiny bursts of white, blue and green light jumped out of the strings as Lucifer plucked them. The lights seemed to trickle upward, as if they were drops of liquid that defied gravity, and coalesced into three long, colorful ribbons that hovered above the boys, swaying gently over their heads as if dancing along to the music. 

Finally, Lucifer’s tempo decreased, and the song gracefully came to a close. The lights above them seemed to burst like water bubbles before the droplets dissolved into nothingness. 

“Wow! That was amazing!” Michael said, unabashedly. 

Lucifer smiled humbly for once. “Thanks. You wanna try?” 

Michael laughed awkwardly, shaking his head. “Naw. You know it’s not gonna do that when I play. Making that light is obviously one of your gifts.” 

Lucifer shrugged, but he knew Michael was probably right. He rested the harp beside him and laid back down on the hay. 

Michael looked thoughtful. “You know what you should do?” he said, laughing a bit to himself at the idea. “You should play that for Dad.” 

Lucifer’s eyes lit up, but he seemed cautious. “Are you sure?” he asked. “Don’t you think…. Don’t you think he might think it’s dumb?”

Michael laughed. “Naw. This skill you have is obviously a gift from him. You know how excited he gets when he sees us discover our gifts. Anyways, if you’re worried that he’s mad at you then this would be a good way to prove he isn’t. Or even get on his good side again if he is.” 

Lucifer considered for a moment, a tentative smile starting to spread across his face. “Okay,” he said. “I think I will.” 

***

Lucifer’s face stared back at him again and again as he ran around the table, looking into each and every plate. As he ran, he bumped into a girl with dark black hair. “Get out of my way, Lucifer!” she yelled in irritation. “I have to find mine!” 

Across the table, a tiny child with big black eyes and a chubby chin started to jump up and down. “I found it! I found it! I moved up!” he yelled. 

“Shut up, Uriel,” snorted the black-haired girl. 

Not finding his seat, Lucifer began to move his way hopefully toward the head of the table. He could see Michael, already seated to the right of Father’s chair, beaming with undisguised pride. Next to him sat Amenadiel, feigning indifference. And there, magically floating above the silver plate at seat number three, he saw his own name, “Samael,” glowing in bright pink, decorative letters. He was near the front, and yet he felt his heart sink. He had moved down. Lucifer sat, trying to hide his disappointment. 

The children started to hear music coming from the hallway. The last few who hadn’t found their places ran frantically to and fro. Finally, the music swelled, and the doors swung open. 

The children, who had, a moment ago been running, fidgeting, and squabbling were suddenly silent, sitting with backs upright in ready attention. As their father entered, his deep blue, all-seeing eyes peered out at them from below heavy eyelids. He was wearing his usual airy, white robe, tied around his waist with a silver sash. His long, but neatly trimmed, white beard was speckled with a few hints of gray, scattered under his nose and down the middle of his chin. He stood for a moment, surveying the scene. Then his throne-like armchair slid out from behind him, before magically moving back under the table as he sat down. 

No one moved or spoke for several seconds. Finally, a tiny voice from behind the table interrupted the silence, the owner of which was not tall enough to be seen over his plate. “Father!” he said excitedly, “I completed a flying pirouette-block today!!” 

The girl sitting next to him gave him a poke. “Ouch!” he cried. 

“It’s quite alright, Raziel,” Father said, magnanimously. “Congratulations on your pirouette, Uriel.” 

Uriel smiled. “Thank you,” he said proudly, seemingly vindicated after his sister’s poke. 

“Anyone else have news to share?” Father asked, lifting his empty hand as if holding a bottle, and tipping it over his chalice. As he did, red liquid poured from thin air beneath his empty hand, splashing into the cup. He took a sip.   

Michael glanced at Lucifer. Lucifer hesitated for a moment, and then said, “I found this yesterday!” He quickly grabbed at his satchel and pulled out the harp. “Look what happens when I play it!” 

Everyone stared at Lucifer, many with looks of resentment, as he began to pluck the strings. The black-haired girl rolled her eyes. But soon, the iridescent lights began to swell brightly around the strings and the children forgot their jealousy. Entranced, they watched as the lights escaped from the harp all together, flying colorfully above the dinner table. Some “oohs” “ahhs” involuntarily escaped their lips as they watched the ribbons of color dance. After a few minutes, the song finally came to a close, and the lights burst into nothingness. 

Everyone looked at Father. “My dear Samael,” he said warmly, his voice brimming with loving devotion. “You truly are my light-bringer.” 

Lucifer didn’t say anything, but smiled with a mixture of joy and relief, looking back into his father’s eyes. 

“Michael,” Father said, not turning to face the son he was addressing, but keeping his eyes fixed on Lucifer. “Take Lucifer’s seat. I want Lucifer to sit here tonight.” 

Lucifer’s smile instantly faded. He looked anxiously at Michael. 

Michael was frozen, staring back at his father. His eyes bore a mixture of acute pain and surprise, as though having just been punched in the gut. 

“It’s okay!” Lucifer said to his father, quickly. “I’m fine here. Really. I can sit…”

“No, Samael,” his father said firmly. “I want you to sit here tonight. Michael, please take your brother’s seat.” 

“Really…” Lucifer mumbled, as if scrambling for something else to say, but knowing that his father’s word was final. 

Michael only looked down at the table, unmoving. After a few seconds, he pushed out his seat and solemnly walked over to Lucifer, never once lifting his gaze. 

Lucifer looked up at him apologetically, but Michael refused to meet his eyes. He simply stood there, staring at the ground, waiting for Lucifer to get up. Finally, Lucifer stood and walked over to the chosen chair. He was about to sit down, when suddenly the doors to the dining room flew open. 

A woman in a flowing white robe with long, wavy hair floated into the room. There was a bright, yellowy hue hovering around her body. On her face was her characteristic mix of determination and self-importance, but now the children could see that there was something else mixed into their mother’s countenance. It was raw, unfettered anger. 

Father seemed to see it too, and Lucifer thought he saw him shrink a little. It was a strange sight. 

“My dear…” he began, but she immediately cut him off.

“I saw it!!” Her words came out as a ferocious hiss. “I went into the garden and I saw it!” 

At this, God’s face turned a ghostly white. He tried to open his mouth but no words came out. 

“How? HOW COULD YOU??” she screamed. 

As she spoke, the yellowy aura around her figure got progressively brighter and wider, until all the children were blinded by a hot, sharp blast of light…

Chapter Text

Without the ability to create, I knew my children would need something to do. A sense of purpose. And so, I gave them desires, and the means of satisfying them: hunger for food, thirst for drink, exhaustion for sleep.

These objects of want could all be found in the Silver City, which I built to be their playground. It was to be full of activities, joys and pleasures—within reason, of course. But the place would not run itself, and I had neither the interest nor inclination to play city manager. So, I created the cherubim. They fulfilled various roles throughout the city, and kept it humming along. Unlike my progeny, they were not so much angels as mere Christmas tree ornaments, devoid of power and incapable of deep thought. But they were loyal servants, doing their jobs and supplying interest and companionship for my children, sexual and otherwise.

Sex, indeed, was the ultimate of the desires I’d created. It was meant to be a small microcosm of the act of creation—a tiny window into the sensation, the euphoric explosion that is giving birth to existence. Of course, my children could never be allowed to experience the real thing—could never create. That would be far too dangerous.

They could never know. Never be allowed to discover how powerful they really were.

***

Azrael stared into her large, oblong mirror, dipping a pointed brush into a bottle of black liquid. Deliberately, she lifted it to her face and began tracing the outline of one of her eyes, working with patient, controlled movements. After completing a lid, she paused, turning her head admiringly from side to side.

She had purposefully messy, jet-black hair, with stray bangs that threatened to fall over a pair of strong-willed, hazel eyes. Her sleeveless, black leather vest clung tightly to her beautifully-curved chest, stopping just short of a slender, delicate waist. Across the top of one shoulder were a series of leather straps connected by several large, metallic buckles. A silver pendant, shaped in an intricate symbol, hung close against her neck.

After giving herself a moment to take in her own reflection, she began work on the second eye. She worked so carefully, meticulously, that she almost didn’t hear the sound of footsteps entering the room. The loud “Azi!” pronounced in overly enthusiastic tones, however, was enough to break her concentration. She groaned, dropping her brush. Why hadn’t she remembered to close the door? 

“Don’t you look stylish!” Lucifer grinned, waltzing over to the make-up table and placing a hand affectionately on her shoulder. “Loving the whole ‘angel of darkness’ thing you’ve got going on here.” He motioned to her ensemble before picking up the eyeliner brush and lifting it towards his own face. “Do my eyes need some defining, perhaps? I think it might help them pop…”

“Give me that,” Azrael growled, snatching the brush from him. “What do you want?” She didn’t look at him as she spoke, but went back to carefully tracing her eye with the brush, extending the black line at the corner into a decorative swirl just above her right cheekbone.

“What makes you think I want something??” Lucifer asked, feigning offense. “Can’t I simply spend some quality time with my favorite sis?”

“No.” she said, dryly. “Anyways, I’m a little busy here, in case you can’t tell.”

“Oh, come now, Azi,” he said, taking a step back. “I feel like I haven’t spoken to you in forever!” He began pacing restlessly behind her. “Tell me, what have you been doing with your free time these days? Anything fun? Any social events? Any gatherings, perhaps?” He leaned in toward her, his face so near hers that she was forced to look at him in the mirror. He smiled his most winning smile.

Azrael rolled her eyes and put down the brush. “Alright. What is it?” she demanded. “Come on, tell me. Or get out.” She glared at him.

“Well…” Lucifer sighed, reluctantly. “If you insist on cutting to the chase…” He flopped onto her bed. “I couldn’t help but notice you getting dressed to go out…” 

She suppressed a small laugh. “Yeah? And?” She turned back to the mirror, dipping a finger into a metal container and spreading the dark, shiny color over her lips.

Lucifer rolled his eyes in frustration. “Come on, Azi, you know what I’m going to ask.”

She pressed her lips together and puckered, looking enticingly at her own reflection.

“Do I, now?” she asked, clearly enjoying this.  

He groaned.

“You need your big sis to take you out, is that it? How come? Don’t you know where all the cool parties are?”

He sat up. “Well, it just so happens, I…”

“Whatever,” she said, quickly losing interest in whatever excuse he’d prepared. “The answer is no. You can’t come.”

“Please, Azi… I’m”—he hesitated, as if contemplating how to proceed, as though the word pained him— “bored.”

Azrael laughed out loud this time. “What? Not enough hijinks going on in the palace tonight? Why don’t you and Jophiel play a prank on Amenadiel? That always tickles your fancy, doesn’t it?”

Lucifer smirked. “Please. I’m not a child… I need to get my mind off something…” He suddenly sounded serious.

Azrael turned and looked at him curiously. Despite his rounded cheeks and curly dark hair, which still coiled itself boyishly over his forehead, a strong, angular jaw had, over the past few decades, formed itself on the lower half of his face. Azrael couldn’t say why, but she felt a bit bothered by it. His eyes, normally filled with playful mischief, suddenly seemed… older. 

“You got some stress or something?” she asked, letting a little bit of concern creep into her voice.

“You could say that…” he muttered.

“Well,” —She sighed, turning back to the mirror— “I’m sure you’ll find something to do.”

“Oh, come on Azi!” he said, jumping up and taking a step toward her. “Take me with you! Please.”

“No. No way. You’re too insufferable.” —And then, muttering under her breath— “Besides. Tonight I’ll be… busy.”

“Oh please!” Lucifer said with a smirk. “You do realize who you’re talking to? There’s no point in playing coy with me. I can smell the desire all over you. Come on, you’ve got your sights set on someone, don’t you? Who is it? You can tell me.” He stared at her.

Azrael looked at him. She had often heard that angel gifts weren’t supposed to work on siblings, but she always found herself telling her brother more than she’d intended, especially about her desires. She sighed with resignation. “Her name is Janicel. Parents work at the train station. Blonde.”

“Ah! She sounds lovely. Does she like girls?”

Azrael smiled, knowingly. “She does if you can get her to forget Dad’s rules.”

Lucifer sat back down, excitedly perching himself on the edge of the bed and leaning toward Azrael with heightened interest. “Ooh, getting her to give in to her desire! Sounds like fun. How do you propose we do that?”

Azrael looked at him, exasperated. “We are not going to do anything.”

“Oh come on! I’m an excellent wingman! Just ask Jophiel…”

Azrael smirked. “Forget it, Lucifer.”

“What? Why? With my gift it’s easy! I can bring the ladies to you. Get them on your good side. You’ll have them eating out of your hand before the night’s out! Or… anywhere else you like…” He raised an eyebrow suggestively.

“Ugh! Gross!” Azrael yelled. “Get a friggin’ filter.”

“Look, all I’m saying is I can make myself useful. Come on. Why not?”

“Because! It’s too weird…”

“Well, I don’t see why. I go out with Jophiel regularly, and we always have a grand time!” He smiled, as if reminiscing over past misdeeds. “I’ll never forgive him for leaving me tonight though… Of all nights!” His expression turned bitter for a moment, before recovering its usual brightness. “But! In any case, you really can’t do better than me.”

Azreal simply shook her head. “The answer is still no. I’m outa here. Try and have a nice night.” She stood up and spun around, but, as she did so, she felt him reach up and grab her wrist.

Lucifer looked at her with desperation. “Please, Azi,” he said, seriously.   

She stared back at him, surprised by his sudden intensity. Wondering how she could still manage to refuse, she suddenly thought of her father. Even he, the most powerful being in the universe, had seemed incapable of resisting Lucifer’s charms—making him the clear favorite, showering him with gifts and praise. For a moment she didn’t answer, and merely stared into his deep brown, pleading eyes. In them she saw charisma, genuine sweetness, and a pathetic little brother all rolled into one. It was… irresistible. 

“Fine,” she said, her voice full of reluctance.

“Excellent!” Lucifer exclaimed, letting go of her wrist. He didn’t waste time on celebration, quickly pushing past her and running down the palace hall.

“Slow down!” Azrael yelled as she struggled to keep up, her thick black boots squeaking against the marble floor.

She didn’t reach him until he was already outside the palace walls. The night air was fresh, and Lucifer took in a deep breath of it. She stared at him questioningly. “What’s with you?? You seem even more antsy than normal.”

“I really gotta get laid tonight,” he muttered in a serious tone, before quickly pushing out his wings and shooting up into the air.

Azrael gazed up at him in confusion. It was several seconds before she popped out her own, deep purple wings, flying up after him.

“Don’t you get laid, like, every night?” she asked mockingly once she’d managed to catch up, flying along beside him.

“Tonight is different,” he said mysteriously. “Anyway”—he resumed his normal, cheery demeanor—“Never mind about me. Let’s focus on tonight, shall we? I know how these cherub gatherings usually go. What’s our plan to make this event more… interesting?”

Azrael peered at him for a moment.

“Oh!” she said, allowing her excitement to drown out her curiosity. “I have the best idea! I invented this game where you put cups of alcohol on two sides of a table, and you try to throw a little ball inside. If you make it, the other team has to drink.”

“That’s the stupidest idea I’ve ever heard,” said Lucifer, simply. “It’ll never work. Even the cherubim will never believe that’s a real game.”

“Are you kidding? The cherubim love that kinda simple shit!” she said, laughing. “You just wait and see. They’re gonna eat it up.”

“Honestly, Azi,” Lucifer said, dismissively, “You may be older but you could stand to learn a lot from me.”

Azrael smirked.

“And what’s your plan to get Janicel to recognize her desire? You know I can be quite helpful in that department,” he said with a proud smile. 

Azrael shook her head. “Don’t you worry about me. If you insist on helping, just take care of her friend, Reginia. It’s her party that we’re going to. Janicel won’t want to leave her best friend alone without a partner.” 

“Interesting!” Lucifer said, intrigued. “What’s this Reginia like?”

Azrael smiled. “Ditzy redhead.” 

Lucifer exhaled a sigh of deep satisfaction. “Just what I need right now.”

“Oh! Start heading down. This is the place.” She pointed at a large estate that seemed to cover an entire hillside. 

“Oh!” Lucifer exclaimed in surprise. “You sure this isn’t some secret residence of one of our siblings? This house is palatial!”

Azrael nodded. “Reginia’s parents practically run the pearly gates. Dad used to favor them”—then added, a bit bitterly—“You know, back when he used to show his face?” She smiled. “We’ll be especially welcome. Cherubim like that can’t afford to have a party without angels showing up. It’d be a major embarrassment.”

At that, Azrael and Lucifer made their descent. They landed in front of the massive house, which would have been imposing to anyone but royalty such as themselves.

Lucifer smiled happily. “Looks like a great place for a party…” 

***

Azrael and Lucifer entered through the front door into a grand foyer, gleaming bright white with marble and lined with golden columns. They were greeted by a pair of servants, who immediately bowed, their backs making a sharp, 90-degree angle as their surprised faces registered the presence of God’s children.

Azrael and Lucifer quickly made their way past them, heading through the foyer and into the main banquet hall.

It was an enormous room, decorated with more gold columns, elaborate statues and magnificent arrays of brightly-colored flowers. Scattered amongst them were about a hundred or so cherubim in colorful robes, sprawled out on low-lying couches and elaborately decorated pillows.

From a distance one might have confused them for angels—without wings, of course. But up close, there was something in their features—a vacancy that was at once striking and indescribable. Though many of the women, reclining gracefully on their cushions, had beautiful, angel-like figures, their faces had a disquieting uniformity to them. Their cheeks—all similarly ruddy and spherical—lacked luster.

Lucifer took in the scene. They all appeared to be consuming copious quantities of… grapes. Lots and lots of grapes. They held the clusters over one another’s heads, the recipients languidly plucking the fruit with their teeth one by one. The room was filled with the low hum of quiet chatter. In the corner, three harpists and a flautist played a soothing melody.

There wasn’t a chalice or a decanter of wine in sight. Lucifer scanned the scene with horror. 

“For Father’s sake!!” he yelled, and the room immediately went dead. Everyone turned to look at Lucifer. Azrael rolled her eyes.

“Is this some sort of slumber party?” he asked, incredulous.

No one answered.

“I’ve seen worship services for my father that have more energy than this!” As he spoke, he was gradually making his way across the room, awkwardly stepping over bodies lying strewn about the floor. When he had finally made it to the corner where the band stood, he plucked a shiny, gold coin out of his pocket and held it out to one of the harpists.

“Play something more upbeat, will you?” he said, in a more reasonable volume.

The man’s eyes grew wide as he stared at the coin, but he didn’t move. “We cannot accept your money, Archon,” he said, with a slight bow of his head. “By serving you, we are serving your father. It would be our honor to do as you ask.”

“Well!” Lucifer smiled. “I wouldn’t want it said about me that I denied anyone an honor!”

There was a pause.

“Well?” Lucifer asked. “What are you waiting for? Get on with it then!” 

The band scrambled into action, fumbling through sheet music as Lucifer made his way back toward the center of the room. Just when he was nearing his target, a lovely brunette in a crimson robe, the band broke out into a lively jig. Lucifer reached down and took her hand, pulling her up toward him.

“Come on,” he said, a tempting smile on his face. “This is no time for sleep! Dance with me!”

***

Several hours later, the party, or at least the youth faction of it, had moved into a much smaller room. The crowd, sweaty bodies pressed up against one another in the tightened space, cheered wildly as Azrael took the ball and steadied her arm. Lucifer stood up on a chair, his hands in the air, yelling enthusiastically. “You can do it, Azi!! You got this!” he screamed. Across the table, a tall, muscular cherub with short, curly hair looked dizzy. His head was beginning to slump, and he was surreptitiously leaning against the table for support. Azrael, on the other hand, still seemed sharp, determined. The room quieted as she pulled back her arm to throw.

In the cup. The room erupted in cheers. Azrael grinned victoriously.

Lucifer yelled out with glee. He jumped down from the chair and picked up the tall, slender redhead standing next to him. She giggled.

“She did it, Reginia!” he shouted. “She did it!” Lucifer pulled a bottle out from under the chair he’d been standing on. With his arm still around Reginia’s waist, he held it up to the crowd. “Refills all around!” he shouted.

Everyone cheered, eagerly thrusting their now available chalices in front of Lucifer as he began to pour. 

After emptying the bottle, he made his way through the throngs of sweaty, shouting bodies. He reached his sister and patted her on the back. “Good show, Azi!” He smiled broadly.

“Hey!” she said, grinning proudly and holding up the little ball. “Was I right or was I right?”

Lucifer chuckled. “You were right,” he admitted. 

“I’m hot!!” Reginia moaned, butting in between Lucifer and Azrael.

Lucifer looked her up and down, sliding his arm back around her waist. “You can say that again!” he said with a wry smile.

She giggled. “No, I mean it’s too hot in here!” Her words slurred as she spoke. She had lost her own round of Azrael’s new game. “There’s too many people!!” 

“Maybe we should go someplace a bit more secluded,” Lucifer said, glancing at Azrael.

“I know! Let’s go to the beach!!” Reginia suddenly suggested. “We can take my Daddy’s carriage!”

“Don’t you have to stay and play hostess?” Azrael asked.

“My parents can do that,” Reginia said, dismissively. “Besides, they won’t care if I say I’m out with an Archon.” She turned to Lucifer, grinning passionately and draping her arms around his neck. He smiled back hungrily, putting his face near hers and wrapping his other arm around her waist.

After a beat, Lucifer turned and looked seriously at Azrael. “Go get Janicel,” he told her.

She didn’t waste time. But just as soon as she’d turned to go find the object of her desire, she saw Janicel approaching, her eyes locking onto hers as an inviting grin spread over her face.

“Wow, Azrael,” the cherub said with admiration. “I didn’t know you could throw like that!” She gave Azreal’s arm an affectionate nudge.  

Azrael met her gaze, smiling back before shrugging with feigned nonchalance.

Lucifer rolled his eyes. “Yes, yes, she’s a ball-throwing prodigy, but more importantly,” he said, himself looking deeply into Janicel’s eyes. “Would you care to join the three of us on a trip to the beach?”

At the sight of Lucifer’s stare, Janicel immediately started giggling. “…Okay!” she said with a giddy grin after only a second’s hesitation. “Why not?”

***

Soon, the four of them were out the front door, standing on the threshold in the fresh night air. Lucifer and Reginia ran onto the front lawn, laughing at something no one else understood. Janicel and Azrael followed, struggling to keep up. Once they’d made it to the grass, Reginia put two fingers in her mouth and whistled. Suddenly, an intricately decorated, golden carriage, with four white-winged horses harnessed to the front, flew down in front of them.

Everyone, aside from Reginia, let out a cheer of approval. They tumbled inside, tripping over one another in their eagerness. 

Reginia whistled again and off they flew. The horses soon began to take on air, until the carriage was soon soaring hundreds of feet up, its white frame reflecting the lights of the Silver City.

***

“Get out of the water, Reginia!” Lucifer yelled at the edge of the darkened beach. “I’m not coming in after you!! I like this outfit too much!” A few yards from shore, Reginia and Janicel splashed around in the water, their clothes fully soaked.

Suddenly, Lucifer staggered, lost his balance and fell face first into the wet sand, covering his clothes from head to toe. Azrael, a few yards behind him, let out a roar of satisfied laughter, holding her stomach as if her insides were about to split.

He staggered to his feet and made a few half-hearted attempts to brush the sand off. “Don’t worry, Lucifer!” Reginia called to him, struggling to walk back to the shore through the waves. “I’ll come clean you off!”

Finally, after many failed attempts, Reginia made it back to shore, along with Janicel, who flopped into Azrael’s arms. Azrael looked happy, and gave Janicel a knowing look. Janicel pressed her lips against Azrael’s mouth, and for a moment the two appeared to be locked in a passionate kiss. Then suddenly, Janicel pulled back. She opened her mouth, and, without warning, spewed orange chunks all over Azrael.

Now it was Lucifer’s turn to laugh. He let out an exhilarated roar, as if this were the best, most hilarious thing that had ever happened to anybody, ever. He wailed, doubling over with glee.

Reginia, also watching the scene, grabbed her stomach in disgusted horror. “Ugh! That’s so gross! Oh… oh!” She suddenly bent over. “Lucifer!” she yelled. “Lucifer! Hold my hair!!”

Lucifer tried to be the gentleman, but he was still overcome with laughter. He leaned forward to grasp at a few amber locks, but instead simply fell again, face first in the sand, luckily at just enough of an angle to avoid the spew of liquid pouring from Reginia’s mouth.

Meanwhile, Azrael ran frantically into the water, letting the waves cleanse her.

***

Lucifer and Azrael lay on the beach, looking up at the stars. Despite the fact that both of them were wet, the night air was relatively warm, as it always was in the Silver City. 

Lucifer sighed. “Aren’t all those stars remarkable?” he said, in a tone more subdued than normal. “To think that they were the first thing Mom and Dad ever created.”

“Yeah…” Azrael said. And then, after a beat, “You do know how they made them, right?”

“Azi, please stop talking,” he replied. “I like the stars. Do not ruin the stars for me.”

Azrael chuckled and then glanced on the beach around them. “Where are the girls anyway?”

“I think they went to sleep in the carriage,” Lucifer answered. 

“I guess they were pretty wasted,” Azrael laughed. “Strange… they didn’t seem that drunk when we left the party,” she said, thoughtfully. “But I suppose they drank a lot pretty fast. Maybe it caught up with them later.”

“And whose fault is that?” Lucifer turned to his sister accusatorially.

“Well, I did say I would make the party more fun, didn’t I?” Azrael retorted. “Anyways, it wasn’t a bad night, even if everything didn’t go according to plan.”

“Even if you got retched on?” Lucifer chuckled again, relishing the memory.

“Shut-up!” Azrael reached over and slapped Lucifer’s shoulder. “Least I didn’t fall face first in the mud.”

“Oh, getting vomited on is sooo much worse,” Lucifer replied, smiling contentedly.

“I suppose,” Azrael admitted. “You’re going to be reminding me about that for the next several centuries, aren’t you?”

“Oh my, yes.” Lucifer nodded. “That’s one for the ages.”

“Well, somehow I still had fun.” She paused. “Sorry about Reginia though. I know you really wanted to get laid tonight.”

“It’s alright,” Lucifer said good-naturedly. He sighed. “I was adequately distracted, anyway. That’s what’s important.”

“Yeah, I mean drunken shenanigans, seeing me get spewed on. What more could you want?”

There was a long silence. Azrael heard Lucifer sigh.

“What?” she asked him, surprised.  

“It was a fun night,” he agreed, half-heartedly.

“So? What’s your problem?”

“I just… I just can’t help but wonder…” Lucifer answered, after a beat. “Is this what we are going to do for the rest of our immortal existence? Go to parties? Sleep with cherubim?”

Azrael looked at him, incredulous. “You begged me to take you out tonight! ‘Pleeeaassee, Azi’ you said. Now a fun night out isn’t good enough for you?? What more do you want?”

Lucifer sighed again. “Don’t get me wrong, Azi. I’m incredibly grateful. I… needed this.” He paused, thoughtfully. “It’s just… I’m tired of waking cherubim up from their bloody comas every night. Trying to get them to truly celebrate, to have some imagination. Some life. To think of something besides pontificating to our father…”

Azrael smirked. “Now aren’t you the deep one? It never seemed to bother you before.”  

“It just gets… tiresome. Repeating the same thing, all the time. In this world father built for us. Don’t you ever wonder what’s out there?” He pointed up at the stars.

“Dad said it’s cold and lonely out there,” Azrael said skeptically. “And in any case, I’ve got news for you: he built all that up there too. He built everything.”

“But it’s different in heaven,” Lucifer insisted. “The Silver City was built for us. When he created this place, he determined what we would do and how we would interact with everything around us. It’s all controlled. Out there…” He thought for a moment, searching for the words. “He never intended for us to ever go there. So perhaps…”

“Perhaps what?”

“Perhaps we could be truly free,” he said, wistfully.

Azrael snickered. “You think you’re not free now? Dad doesn’t bother with us at all since he locked himself up in that freakin’ tower. You can do whatever you want. Sleep with whoever you want. Get drunk and have sex all day, if you want. Not like when we were kids and he made us work and study all the time. You can’t get more free than this. If you ask me, Dad is too hands off. He completely ignores us…” she trailed off, a hint of bitterness entering her voice.

“Don’t you wonder though, if he’s actually up there, manipulating all of it? Controlling our every move… from afar?” Lucifer asked, looking thoughtfully up at the stars. “Somehow influencing our choices? Our will?”

“Pssht,” she groaned. “I almost wish he cared enough to do that. He doesn’t. He couldn’t care less about us and what we do. He’s completely self-absorbed. You don’t realize…” she said, with a touch of resentment, “since you were always his favorite. He always paid attention to you…”

“Oh, come now, Azi!” he moaned. “Like I had it so much better? At least you had nothing to lose. You could run off and be a rebel and no one would care. I always had to be...” he trailed off. 

“You always had to be what he wanted you to be,” she finished his sentence. “Or else, what? He would abandon you like he did the rest of us? You know, in some ways you are just like him: completely self-absorbed.”

“I am most certainly not just like him!” he insisted, raising his voice. “I would never…”—his anger suddenly faded and he grew quiet, hesitating to finish his sentence—“leave,” he finally said.

Azrael stared at her brother. She felt guilty for prodding him. Suddenly he didn’t seem so old anymore.  

“If you say so,” Azrael said, finally. “Anyways, let’s not fight. You know that’s what he wanted more than anything. To divide us.”

“I suppose,” Lucifer agreed.

They were both quiet for a moment.

“I must say, though,” Lucifer finally continued. “It’s an incredible feeling to do something Dad never intended us to do. To go someplace he didn’t invent for us. Where anything can happen, because it’s not part of his plan. It can’t be part of it. It’s… freeing.”

“What are you talking about?” Azrael asked, full of surprise. “Where did you go that Dad never intended?”

Lucifer fell silent. He’d said more than he’d meant to. But, in truth, he was just bursting to tell someone.

“Lu?”

“Can you keep a secret?” he finally asked her.

Azrael moaned. “Oh no,” she said simply. “What did you do?”

“Just… promise. You can’t tell anyone.”

“Fine, fine. I promise. Now come on. What did you do???”

There was a long pause… “I went into the garden.”

Azrael sat up and stared at him, silent for several seconds. “You, what!!?” she finally managed to scream.

“Sshh!” he whispered loudly. “You’ll wake up the girls!”

“Are you insane!?” she yelled again, disregarding him.

“What?” he asked. “You said it yourself. Dad’s all locked up in his tower. He’s been up there for eighty years! He doesn’t concern himself with us. Doesn’t care what we do. He’s not paying attention,” he said, feigning indifference, though in truth her reaction made him nervous. “In any case, you complain about him more than anyone. If you’re so worried about being smited, shouldn’t you be more careful?”

“That’s talking, Lucifer!” Azrael threw up her hands, incredulous. “That’s not disobeying a direct order! You know how he is about that stuff. Stuff that’s expressly forbidden. Remember when Lezmegadiel thought Dad wasn’t paying attention after spending forty years in the tower?”

“Yes, yes. Of course I remember.” And then, mumbling to himself, “How could I forget?”

“Well, Dad did care what he was doing when it came to a direct order… Lezmegadiel was never the same after that. Have you talked to him??? He’s changed, Lucifer! And that was just for drinking out of Dad’s fountain! You went into the garden!? The garden!” she nearly shouted. Lucifer shrunk a little bit. “Where his beloved humans are! Where he tore open the wall…”    

“Don’t say it, Azi.” Lucifer said firmly. “I don’t want to talk about that. I know. I know it’s a risk.”

Azrael let out a wry laugh. “A risk? That’s putting it mildly.” She flopped back down, laying on the sand. “I always knew you were irresponsible, but this takes the cake,” she said, almost to herself. She looked at him. “Aren’t you nervous? Why aren’t you nervous?”   

“Well, to be honest, I am a bit nervous,” he said, finally letting on a little. “But I didn’t mean to go in there. I was flying above, and I… kind of got disoriented… and before I knew it, I was on the ground.”

She looked at him, bewildered. Obviously his story did not make any sense. But eventually she shrugged. “Well, maybe if it was truly an accident, and if Dad knew that, maybe that’s why he hasn’t smote you already. You know how he is about intention…” She paused. “Just… whatever you do, do not go back there.” She sat up again, looking at him fiercely.

Lucifer avoided her gaze.

“Lucifer!?” she cried, unnerved by his telling silence. “Lucifer!? Why?? Why would you go back there? Are you that desperate to act out??” She had gone back to yelling. “To play the rebel?? You are destined to be Dad’s heir! You’ll probably be God one day! Everyone assumes that. Why would you give that all away?? Just so you can throw off the title of ‘Daddy’s boy’??”

Lucifer’s voice came out a timid whisper. “Well… the human there. She’s—”

Azrael cut him off. “Oh no. Oh no no no.” Azrael stood up frantically and began to pace. “Lucifer… Did you???? With one of his humans??”

“No!” he shouted. “No. No, of course not. I would never. I didn’t even talk to her. I just… sort of… watched her… for a while…”

Azrael let out an exasperated breath. For a moment she buried her face in her hands. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. She knew her little brother could be impulsive, but this…

Finally, she knelt down in front of him, and looked him directly in the eye. “Lucifer, listen to me. You cannot go back there.”

“Look,” he said, trying to gather his wits about him. “The truth is”—he refused to look at his sister’s face as he spoke, knowing the look that would be there—“I went there, and nothing happened! No smiting, no nothing. Maybe Dad’s just let the whole ‘don’t go into the garden’ thing go.” He glanced quickly at Azrael before again turning away. “I promise. No matter what, I won’t do anything. I won’t ever do anything with that human.”

At this, Azrael seemed to crumble, falling limply back onto the sand. “Of course you will,” she said quietly, turning to look back up at the stars. “You desire her, don’t you? When have you ever been able to deny yourself something you desired?”

There was a long silence. Lucifer didn’t answer.

Azrael sighed. She was beginning to accept the fact that there was nothing she could say that would stop him.

Finally, she spoke. “I know we don’t usually say this kinda thing. But I do care about you, little brother… And… I don’t want to see you get hurt.”

“I know,” he said.

The two of them were silent. They both stared up at the sky, the big, bright stars beaming out at them from the cold, empty universe.

Chapter Text

Lucifer watched her from behind the Kapok trees as she stood again on the bank of the small pool, scouring the ground for more of the shiny pebbles she seemed so fond of. An assortment of giant leaves, the size of elephants’ ears, grew on top of the rocky ridge that produced the waterfall, and cast striking shadows on her delicate features. Lucifer watched as she picked up another pebble. 

He took in a cleansing breath. The air around him smelled like moist earth and growing things. He had come to love being there, and though the human woman was, of course, the main draw, she wasn’t the only thing that attracted him. Everything in the garden felt alive. Compared to it, the Silver City seemed almost clinical, sterile. It was, after all, a city, and a well-organized, tightly regimented one at that. This place felt… wild. Lucifer listened. The air was filled with the roar of crashing water, interrupted only by the occasional warble of frogs or the light trill of birds flying overhead.    

He turned his attention back to the human woman, who was holding her pebble past the shadows and up toward the light. She gazed at it lovingly, admiring the different hues it produced, before placing it with the others on the large rock that sat by the pool. Lucifer looked at them in awe. There were perhaps hundreds of blue-black stones, all meticulously arranged and refracting the intermittent waves of light. He wondered how long she could have been doing this. 

He felt somewhat relaxed as he watched her arrange her stones, the curve of her waist extending beautifully as her body stretched up toward the top of the rock, the muscles tightening along her long, smooth legs. He had discovered that in the afternoons she came here to bathe, and had learned her rhythms and habits. He knew just where to stand when she jumped in the water, when she tiptoed onto the bank looking for pebbles, when she lay down on the long, stone slab basking in the warm light—the ideal spots to avoid being seen, while still getting a full view of all her perfection. 

After completing her arrangement of pebbles on the rock, she lay gingerly down on the low, flat stone that sat opposite it, her arm falling lazily over the side, her breasts forming two perfect mounds that pointed up at the sky. Lucifer gazed at them, longingly. Objectively he knew that this ought to be the best possible place from which to view her. And yet… he wanted to be closer. 

There was another break in the leaves a few feet in front of him. He had avoided the spot in the past. It seemed too far forward, too close to the clearing to be safe. But with the woman lounging on the rock, her face pointed peacefully up at the sky, he felt rather bold. 

Gracefully, he shifted his weight, lifting his leg and slowly taking a step forward. His right leg followed, moving easily along the top of forest floor, gently settling near the opening in one clean, even movement. He exhaled slowly. Finally he picked up his left leg, bringing it down next to him, shifting gingerly, silently, until… crunch!   

He froze. He felt his heart skip a beat. He looked through the leaves, hoping against hope that somehow she hadn’t… but she was upright, sitting stiffly, hardly seeming to breathe. She was listening. 

Lucifer lowered his head as much as he could, trying to shield himself behind the spattering of leaves, which suddenly seemed nowhere near adequate cover. He stayed like that, unmoving, for several seconds. Despite the danger, he hazarded a quick glance through the hole. He felt his stomach sink. She had stood up, and was now standing mere feet away, looking directly at his section of trees. 

He quickly crouched down. Desperately, he tried to take a step backward, moving as quietly as he could. It was no use. In his haste, his foot instantly created a rustling as it hit the leaves of the forest floor. 

“Adam? Is that you?” She called out. He had never before heard her speak. Her voice came out high and sweet, almost melodic. Like her face, Lucifer sensed it was dripping with wanting. Full of desire.  

“Adam…?” she called again. Lucifer thought she sounded a bit nervous. Yet, he could tell by the increasing proximity of her voice that she was bravely walking forward, taking steps toward the trees… 

Lucifer crouched even lower, looking behind him, searching for anything he could hide behind. But all he could see were low-lying ferns several feet away—too short and too far. He continued to scan, until he realized he ought to look back in her direction to see where she—

There, at eye level, less than a foot from his face, were a pair of bare legs. Slowly, he lifted his head. She peered down at him, her delicate features pale and anxious. 

“Who are you?” she asked, slowly, her voice barely above a whisper.

Lucifer did not answer. He stared back at her, paralyzed. 

What would happen if he spoke? Quickly, his mind ran through the possibilities. Perhaps that was what Dad had been waiting for all along. Maybe he knew Lucifer would wind up talking to her, and had planned the real smiting for when he went that far. Perhaps he should just fly away? But then, she had seen him and asked a question. To simply fly away seemed… rude. Lucifer was many things: self-centered, a womanizer, definitely a creepy voyeur, but he was not rude. 

Slowly, he stood up. “I’m Lucifer,” he said.  

There was a pause. She didn’t answer. 

Awkwardly, he extended his hand to her. “Pleasure to meet you.”

For a moment she looked at the outstretched hand, seemingly confused. Then she averted her eyes, opting instead to look at the ground. Quickly, surreptitiously, though, she glanced up at him.

Understandable that she would be nervous, Lucifer thought. “I was just flying overhead and I… got a bit lost…” he stammered, fibbing, but hoping a reasonable explanation might put her at ease.

She remained silent. 

“In any case, I’ve never been to Eden. So, I supposed as long as I was here, I might as well take a look around.” He tried to smile at her, but she avoided his gaze. Her big, dark eyes remained fixed on the ground. 

“Seems like a lovely place—this garden!” Lucifer said with too much enthusiasm. “I’m really astounded I’ve never seen it. Born and raised in the Silver City, and yet I’ve never set foot in here. Can you believe it?” 

He glanced at her hopefully. Still, she didn’t move. Suddenly the roar of the waterfall seemed deafening. 

He looked around where he was standing. The afternoon light shone brightly through the trees. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed a sharp, white flash as it was caught by one of her stones. His lips formed into a faint smile. 

“Lots of beautiful things here,” he said, looking directly at her. “I couldn’t help but notice your pebble collection.” He motioned to the rock. “Truly breathtaking. All those colors…”  

At that, she finally turned her head and looked at him, curiously. For a moment she still didn’t speak, just simply stared, taking him in. “What…” she finally managed to stammer, “What are you?”      

Of course! Why hadn’t he started with that?? “I’m an angel,” he said, quickly. 

Her eyes surveyed his features, finally holding his gaze for a moment. “Really??” she asked.

Lucifer was relieved to see some of the anxiety in her face dissipate, replaced by curiosity. 

“Most assuredly so,” he said. 

Again, she looked him up and down, more boldly this time. “The Creator told us about angels…” she said, bravely taking a small step forward. 

“And what, pray tell, did he say about us? Only good things, I hope…”  

“He said they were his children…” she replied with growing interest. “And very powerful.”

At this, Lucifer couldn’t help but let a satisfied smile spread across his lips. “Well! I don’t like to brag, but we all know my old man doesn’t lie!” He leaned in toward her, looking meaningfully into her eyes. “Guilty as charged. I am indeed… quite… powerful,” he said slowly. 

Despite his intensity, her fear seemed to have left her. She now gazed at him with only wonderment, thoughtfully running her eyes over his face. “But it’s strange,” she said. “You don’t feel very powerful. When the Creator is near, I can feel his power… but with you…well… I don’t sense any power at all from you.”    

Lucifer’s smile faded and he clenched his lower jaw. “I beg your pardon. Just because I don’t leave a conspicuous stench of power all over the place doesn’t mean I don’t have any! Perhaps I am simply more discreet than my father! In any case, my power is still formidable, I assure you…” 

“Really??” she asked, her voice suddenly brimming with excitement. “What can you do??”

“Well… I…” Lucifer stammered. 

“Can you make things?? Can you make me a bird? I’ve always wanted one.”  

“Well… not as such… but I have other abilities! I… I…” He glanced at her. She was leaning toward him, seemingly waiting for his next word with bated breath. He furrowed his brow in concentration. “Ah!” he said, finally. “I know. I’m going to ask you a question. Now, it’s very important: don’t answer me.” 

“Right,” she said.  

“Now I mean it. Try not to answer. Try as hard as you possibly can,” he said seriously. 

“Got it! Don’t answer,” she said with anticipation.

“I mean try not to answer, but I bet you will answer,” he said with a knowing smile.

“But you just told me not to…”

“Yes, yes, but that’s the whole thing. You’ll try not to answer, but you’ll answer anyway.” 

“If you want me to answer, I can try,” she offered. “I mean, I don’t know everything but I might be able to…”  

“No, no!” he shook his head in frustration. 

She looked back at him, bewildered.

“Just let me just ask!” he finally said, throwing up his hands. He sighed, and looked deep into her eyes—those big, dark eyes, full of wanting and energy— “What is your deepest desire?” 

She was quiet for a moment. She simply stared back at him, as though having been struck dumb. 

“Oh,” Lucifer smiled with interest. “A bit more complicated than the cherubim I see… But I can tell you still want to say something.” He raised an eyebrow.   

Her lips began to tremble. Finally, an “I…” escaped her mouth slowly, tentatively. 

He grinned playfully. “Come now. You can tell me. What is it?” He maintained his gaze, moving his face closer to hers.

“I… I want to be free,” she said finally.   

Lucifer’s smile instantly faded. He stared back at her silently, searching her face. 

This was what those eyes had been yearning for? This was what they had been craving all along, when he could feel that they were covered in longing? He felt something move in his chest. A pull. Involuntarily, he took a step toward her, so that their faces were almost touching. Who was this human? he wondered. 

Awkwardly, she stepped back, and Lucifer gathered his composure. Best not to act weird, he thought. 

“What kind of desire is that?” he asked, dismissively. “The cherubim usually say ‘get a promotion,’ or ‘have unlimited wine and cake.’” 

She didn’t answer. Instead her forehead wrinkled as she seemingly tried to wrap her head around whatever Lucifer had just done to her. “I—” she finally began.

Before she could continue, she was interrupted by a low, male voice calling out. It was far-off, and Lucifer couldn’t quite place where it was coming from. He could, however, vaguely make out the word “Eve!” shouted over the treetops. 

She seemed to freeze, and Lucifer thought he saw something like worry pass over her features. 

“I… I’ve got to go,” she said, quickly. She turned as if to leave, but before taking a step, she suddenly stopped. She turned back around and looked at him. “Will…” she said, slowly, unsure. “Will you come again tomorrow?” Lucifer thought he caught a vague hint of hope in her voice. 

He hesitated. Of course he shouldn’t have even come there today. He shouldn’t have talked to her. But… he looked again into her big, dark eyes. 

“I’ll be here,” he finally said, seriously. 

She smiled. And, with that, she turned and ran. 

Lucifer stood watching until she had disappeared through the trees.

Chapter Text

The next day, as Lucifer made his way through the clouds, he told himself over and over again that he was only making the trip because he had to—because he’d promised the woman. He knew he shouldn’t be going. He would only talk to her quickly and get out. And yet, as the broad green square of the garden came into view, he couldn’t deny the budding excitement he felt swirl in his chest. Truth be told, he had been able to think of little else since he’d left. The woman. Her doe-eyed innocence. Her energy. Being so close to that body, completely uncovered… But above all, the forbiddance of it. Talking to a human. His father’s human. The one who had kept him away all those years. Now Lucifer himself had stood there—in his father’s sanctuary—and had made it his own. It was exhilarating.  

Gracefully, he made his landing near the pool. He saw the woman already there, sitting on the rock with her back to him, quietly waiting. He pulled in his wings. For a second he hesitated, watching her curves move in and out with her breath.

Lucifer wondered if he should call out to her. He suddenly realized he didn’t even know her name. 

Awkwardly, he cleared his throat. 

She spun around. “You came,” she said, simply, jumping off her rock and walking up to him. Her voice was soft, but her eyes sparkled with excitement. “I didn’t know if you really would…”   

“Of course,” Lucifer said, lightly. “I’m an angel of my word.” He smiled. “Or at least… I try to be,” he muttered.  

She smiled as well. And then, for a moment, they simply stared at one another. 

“So…” Lucifer began. “You’re… a human?”  

She nodded, still smiling. 

“Right! Right… Well. What’s that like?” This was more awkward than he’d expected. Why was he nervous? He usually didn’t get nervous. Not when talking to women, anyway.  

She shrugged. “Okay, I guess.”

“Good, I suppose it is.” He looked down at the ground. Another pause.

Finally, he glanced back up at her, raising an eyebrow. “And yet…” he ventured. “You don’t seem… satisfied?”

Her smile faded slightly.   

“You… you said you wanted to be free?”

She didn’t answer. Her eyes sought the dirt below.

“Why would you want that?” he pressed. “Can’t you do whatever you please here? Doesn’t this garden have everything you desire?”  

She sighed, walking back to her rock and taking a seat. “You’d… you’d think so, wouldn’t you?”  

Lucifer was surprised at her tone. Everything he’d seen so far—her fear at meeting him, her lack of knowledge about something as commonplace as angels, even her large, doe eyes—had all suggested a certain naivety. And yet, in that moment, she seemed… cynical. He didn’t say anything, but followed her over to the rock, keeping his eyes glued to her. He wanted to ask more, but she looked up at him, putting on a smile. “What about you?” she asked, clearly changing the subject. “What is your deepest desire?”

“Oh…” Lucifer said, taken aback by the question. “You know… The usual. Sex. Wine. Fast music,” he fibbed. Lucifer didn’t like to lie. His father had always been adamant on the point, and it was one of the few life lessons he had taken from him that stuck. But still. Sometimes it was just… easier.

The human woman nodded. “Actually, I like fast music too.” She grinned. “Adam always likes slow, but I think it’s such a bore…” 

“So… I suppose that means we have something in common then,” Lucifer ventured. 

She looked up at him, happily. “Yes, I guess we do… I’m actually really glad you came here. I’ve never met an angel before… I mean, I suppose that’s not really that surprising. I’ve never met anyone before, really. No one except for Adam. And the Creator, of course.”

Lucifer stared at her, incredulous. “Really??” he asked. “That’s it? No one else? No one at all?”

She shook her head. “Nope. Sadly there’s not too much by way of company here in the garden…” And then, her face brightened as she looked up at him. “But, at least, now there’s you, too.”  

“And… how do I compare?” he asked. 

She considered for a moment. “You’re… different.” 

He laughed. “Is that good?”

“Oh, different is always good!” she said definitively. She suddenly jumped off her rock, moving toward him. “Oh! I haven’t even told you…” She reached forward and took both his hands, clasping them in hers. “I’m Eve.” 

It wasn’t quite a handshake, but clearly meant as a greeting. A shiver went down Lucifer’s spine as he suddenly felt her hands on his. He had watched her so many times from the trees, longed to touch her, that this sudden contact sent shockwaves through him. He didn’t speak. He looked down at her fingers before his gaze helplessly drifted past them, drawn over the perfect curves, down to the delicate, reddened tips, just inches away from his own chest, completely uncovered. He stared. 

Eve giggled slightly. “You know, you are kinda weird,” she said honestly. “What are you looking at?” 

Lucifer realized himself. “Not- nothing…” he stammered, dropping her hands and taking a step back.  

She laughed again. “It’s okay. Weird is interesting.” She smiled. “So,” she leaned most of her weight on one leg, placing her hand on her full, curved hip. “You said yesterday you came to Eden by accident?”

Again, Lucifer said nothing. He simply stared down at her hip, before his eyes roamed to the small, perfect triangle between her legs. He swallowed. He felt hot. 

“Are you okay?” she asked with genuine concern. 

“Umm, you know what!? I just had a brilliant idea!” He ran over to a fig tree which was growing a few feet away, nestled between an assortment of ferns. “This whole minimalist look you’ve got going on here is lovely, truly stunning, but it wouldn’t suffer from a bit of accessorizing, don’t you think??” As he spoke, he began frantically picking leaves. “Why don’t you use these to… decorate… your… up here! And maybe… down there…” He kept his eyes on the tree, only glancing quickly in her direction, motioning vaguely at the halves of her body.

“What? What are you talking about?” she asked, perplexed. 

He sighed and turned to her, squinting to avoid looking directly at them, as if afraid they would blind him, and held up the two leaves in front of her chest. “There!” He grinned with satisfaction. “Doesn’t that look lovely? Really completes your whole ensemble, I should say.”

“Are you suggesting I… wear those…?” she asked, slowly. 

“Well… I know it’s no designer outfit, but here in Eden we’ll have to make do.”

“Why?” she asked. 

“I just think it’s a bit more fashionable! That’s all…” 

She stared at him. 

“And well, I just don’t want to see… I just don’t think I should see them…” he stammered.

Eve’s expression suddenly turned from confusion to shame. She stared down at her chest anxiously, as if looking for a blemish, some embarrassing mark she could wipe away. Seeing nothing she could easily identify, her eyes turned back up toward his face. “Is there… is there something wrong? Something wrong with… my body??” she asked, fretfully. 

Realizing his mistake, Lucifer desperately tried to backtrack. “Oh no! No, Ms. Eve, certainly not. You’ve misunderstood me…”   

“But…” she said, panic rising in her voice. “But you don’t want to see it!” she insisted. “Is it… is it disgusting to you or something??” She stepped back, looking down at herself again. “No one has ever said anything! But then… no one has ever seen it… no one but Adam and the Creator…” She kept looking down, twisting frantically to examine every part of herself.   

“Eve… Eve… you misunderstand!” He tried to make eye contact with her, but she was too absorbed in scrutinizing herself, eyes glued to her own chest. 

As he watched her panic-stricken face, it suddenly occurred to him how sheltered she was. How vulnerable. And here, with only a few words, he had crushed her confidence like a bug. He was suddenly overcome with guilt. Without thinking, without worrying about the distinct possibility of accidentally touching the wrong thing, he reached forward and grabbed her shoulders, focusing on her eyes and forcing her to look at him. 

“Eve, listen to me. You are one of the most beautiful women I have ever seen,” he said with obvious sincerity. “Don’t ever feel shame about what you look like. Do you understand me?”

She stared back at him, surprised by his sudden seriousness. 

“But… then… why don’t you want to see it?” she asked. 

“Honestly, it’s so exquisite it’s… distracting. Believe me. It’s my problem, not yours.”  

Slowly, the panic began to drain from her face. “Really?” she asked. “You’re not just saying that?” 

“I give you my word.”

Eve finally let out a breath. “You… you scared me!” she said, laughing a little.  

Lucifer, too, felt himself exhale as he saw her relax. “I am quite sorry about that, Eve. That was not my intention.” 

“I really have no idea how I compare…” she admitted. “I often wonder… since I haven’t seen anyone else, you know??”

Lucifer merely nodded. She sat back down on her rock thoughtfully. She was quiet for a moment.  

“Oh!” she said, as if suddenly remembering something. She glanced down at the leaves Lucifer had let fall when he grabbed her shoulders. “You wanted me to wear these?”

“If it’s not too much of a bother…” he replied, sheepishly. “I can concentrate on what you’re saying better that way… it’s… it’s only to raise the quality of our conversation.”

She chuckled. “Well, I still think you’re a bit weird. But if you say so…” 

She picked up one of the leaves and held it up to her chest. “How am I supposed to stick it on?” 

Lucifer fumbled in his pocket and pulled out a small bottle of honey. He and his latest cherub partner had recently had a delightful time with it, yet it still seemed to be half-full. “Here,” he said, handing it to Eve. “It’s sticky. You can use what’s inside to stick them on. I’ll… I’ll just look over here while you do it…” 

Eve stared at him again with confusion, but no longer looked hurt. Evidently she believed that whatever his issue was, it was not a reflection on her. She opened the bottle of honey and managed to get some on the leaves. After a few minutes fumbling she announced to Lucifer that she was done.

“How do I look?” she asked, jumping off the rock and turning from side to side, as if showing off a new dress.

Lucifer swallowed. She had stuck the two leaves to her nipples and one large one to her lower stomach, so that it vaguely hung down over her crotch. They barely covered anything, but he supposed it was a bit better. It’d have to do.  

“Excellent!” he lied. “So…” he said, trying to change the subject. “What sorts of things do you usually do around here?” 

“What do you mean?”

“I don’t know,” he said, unsure of what to talk about with a human. “Any entertainment?”

“For fun?” Eve thought for a moment. “Usually Adam and I just have sex,” she said matter-of-factly.

Lucifer suddenly cleared his throat. There was a pause. “Anything besides that?” he finally asked.  

“Well… let’s see…” she said thoughtfully. “There’s the Pendulum Vines, the Symphony Cave… Oh! And the conjuring mushrooms can be fun, too.” 

He stared back at her, completely at a loss. “What sort of place is this?” he asked. 

She didn’t answer, seemingly unsure of what that meant. 

Lucifer looked around where he was standing. The pebbles shown beneath his feet, bright and sparkling. The blue, crystal clear water of the pool, reverberating from the force of the waterfall, gently lapped onto the shore. All around his sight line were sharp, bright shades of green. 

He looked back at Eve. “It seems… marvelous.”

A wave of weariness passed over her face. She sat back down on the rock, staring at the pebbles below her feet. “It’s okay, I guess.” 

“You sound less than enthralled, Ms. Eve,” he ventured. “Don’t you like it?” 

She sighed. “I used to love it. In my first years of existence, I used to go to the Symphony Cave every day. I used to sit there for hours, just listening,” she said, her eyes getting dreamy. “I still remember the first time I heard it… I had never heard music before. I couldn’t understand how sounds, simple sounds, could be so beautiful. How they could make you feel. Feel all sorts of things…” She stared off into the distance. And then, as if the dream had suddenly come crashing down, a look of bitterness came over her features. “But after you’ve heard the same songs for a hundred years, they start to lose their sparkle…”

They were quiet for a moment. Lucifer’s gaze fell on her figure, which sat crouched on the rock. Though she was hunched forward, holding onto her knees, her body seemed tense, restless. Her dark hair hung loose, undulating like a waterfall, framing her delicate face. Her big eyes brimmed with longing. 

He walked over and sat down next to her. “I… I think I know what you mean, Ms. Eve,” he said slowly. “Lately I’ve found myself growing a bit tired with things myself. Even for me, life has started to feel a bit… routine.” 

She glanced at him. “Really?” 

Lucifer nodded. “I… I must admit I wasn’t entirely truthful before, when you asked me what I desired…” he said, seriously. “To be honest, I… very much want to be free myself, Eve.” 

She looked at him, her eyes making a slow appraisal of his features. “But… didn’t you say you were from the Silver City?? How is that possible!? It must be amazing!” she looked a long way off, as if trying to imagine it. “So much more amazing than this.”

She sighed. “I’ve always wanted to go there.” 

“Well…” he said after a pause. “After so many years, even the Silver City starts to lose its sparkle…” 

Eve turned to look at him again. “Wow. Who knew? I guess anything can get old if you give it long enough…” 

“I suppose so…”

“I’ve been waiting a hundred years for something new,” she said, her voice full of melancholy. “But… you’re new, at least!” She turned back to him, her face suddenly brightening. “Brand new. That’s something, isn’t it?” 

“Indeed it is.” He returned her smile. 

Suddenly, Lucifer heard the same low, male voice he’d heard the day before. Again, it called Eve’s name, and again something like worry passed over her features. “I’m really sorry,” she said, her voice pained. “I’ve got to go. But you’ll come back tomorrow, right?”

For a moment Lucifer didn’t respond, and a look of apprehension entered Eve’s eyes. “Please…” she suddenly begged. “You’ve got to. You’re the only new thing! The only new being I’ve met in a hundred years!”

It was hard to argue with that. He let out a sigh. “Alright,” he agreed. 

Eve smiled, clearly relieved. Then she jumped up, running past the pool, pausing briefly to glance back at him as she went.

Chapter Text

When he arrived the next day, he saw Eve sitting in the same spot, her back to him as it had been the day before. This time he didn’t hesitate, but immediately called out her name. As soon as she heard it, she spun around, jumping off the rock and running toward him. “You’re here!” she cried. As she reached him, she clasped his hand in hers, the way she had the day before. Again, a bolt of energy ran through him as he felt her touch. He looked down at her deep, smiling eyes. Without thinking, his gaze roamed past them, over the nape of her neck, resting on the two, perfect curves floating effortlessly below. This time, they were enwrapped in dark green leaves that clung closely to her pale skin.

He let out a chuckle. “You’re wearing the leaves, I see…”

“Yep!” She said, proudly. “I found a tree that has really strong sap. Look!” She pulled at the stem with some force, yet it remained securely in place. “And look at this!” She took a step backwards. Lucifer saw that she had fashioned a small skirt for herself, woven out of a series of leafy vines braided together. She spun around with pride.

Lucifer couldn’t help but laugh outright. “You did all of that for me?” he asked.

“Of course!” she said. “Why wouldn’t I? I want you to be comfortable. You’re the first friend I’ve made in a hundred years!”

Lucifer felt vaguely touched. Seeing as she clearly didn’t understand the reason he had made such a request, he knew she must be doing it solely for his benefit, and had obviously gone to a lot of effort to boot.

“Well, I’m glad you consider me a—” SWOOSH!

They both looked up. There, about 20 feet overhead was what looked like a wooden arrow, whizzing noisily past them through the air.

Lucifer continued to stare, apparently at a loss. Eve, on the other hand, jumped into action. She grabbed Lucifer’s wrist and pulled him toward the trees, directing him to the very spot where he’d first watched her. Once they were out of sight, she crouched down, yanking on him to get him to follow her lead.

“What’s going o—?” Lucifer asked at full volume.

Quickly, Eve placed a soft hand over his lips. He looked down at it.

“He’s hunting,” she whispered.

“Is he hunting us?” Lucifer asked in confusion, quieter this time.

Eve smiled with apparent amusement. “No, silly.”

“Then why are we hiding?” he whispered.

Eve sighed and simply shook her head. Then she grabbed his wrist again, as if warning him to be especially quiet. They could hear the loud, clear steps of someone walking over the forest floor. Soon, a well-built, buck-naked man, with light, longish blonde hair and a curly beard came into view. He sauntered along easily, walking past the pool and out of view. Lucifer tried to stand up, but Eve kept hold of his wrist, prompting him to stay put.

Soon, they heard the footsteps again, heavier and slower this time. He was returning the way he had come, and for a moment Lucifer wondered if he had heard something and was coming to investigate. But as he came back into their field of vision, Lucifer saw that he was carrying a huge, bloodied deer carcass over his back, its stiffened limbs and dead eyes pointing ominously in their direction.

Eve didn’t stand up until the sound of footsteps had completely died out. Finally she rose, looking at Lucifer—a bit sheepishly, he thought.

“Eve…” he said slowly. “Was that Adam?”

She avoided his gaze. “Yes…” she said, simply.

“Do you… do you not want him to know about me?” He smiled slightly. There was only one reason he could think of that she wouldn’t want her husband to know about him, and he felt a bit tickled that she saw him that way. Of course, most women he encountered did, but this was a human woman, and a seemingly strange one at that. He couldn’t be sure what effect he’d have on her.

Eve glanced at him quickly. “I… don’t think he’d like it if he knew I was talking to you.”

“And why is that?” Lucifer asked, unable to keep a slight, proud smile off his face.

“He… he has his ideas about the way things should be done…” Eve muttered. “He often says how great it is that it’s just the two of us here, that we have no one but each other.” Her expression soured as she spoke, her lips tightening. “I can’t say for certain… but I don’t think he would like me to talking to someone… someone else.” 

Lucifer smirked. “So. He’s the jealous type, is he?”

“I…I suppose he is…” Eve said, suddenly contemplative. “I never thought about it before. The Creator told us about jealousy. He said it often exists among the cherubim… Adultery too.”

Lucifer eyed Eve curiously. She seemed lost in thought.

“And what did Dad say about that?” Lucifer asked, not without interest.

She shrugged. “Said it was a horrible sin.”

Lucifer snickered. “He’s one to talk…”

“What?” Eve asked.

“Nothing. Never mind.” 

“It’s not like Adam has anything to worry about…” she continued. “I mean, it’s not as if I would ever do anything with you or any other man.”

“Of course you wouldn’t!” Lucifer said, with a bit too much gusto. And then he paused, looking at her questioningly. “You… wouldn’t, right?” 

“No!” she said, looking back at Lucifer, somewhat shocked. “Of course not!”

“Right!” he said, nodding assuredly. And yet, somehow he couldn’t help but let his gaze linger on her a bit too long, eyes questioning.

She seemed to pick up on it. “You do believe me, right?”

“Of course, I—”

“Well, you should,” she said, looking at him squarely. And then she stared off, past him and into the trees. “I could never hurt him. All we have is each other.”

Lucifer nodded, in earnest this time. There was no mistaking the sincerity in her voice. It was a good thing, of course. Good that they were on the same page. Great, in fact. Totally great.

She smiled back at him, returning to her light demeanor. “In any case! He has nothing to worry about, so no point in troubling him.” She looked at Lucifer warmly. “Actually, I know a spot where he definitely won’t bother us. Follow me there?”

“Excellent thinking, Eve. I’m right behind you.”

And with that, she skipped off between the trees.

Lucifer paused for a moment, watching the bare skin of her back as it floated along, beautifully framed by the curvy cluster of scarcely concealing vines. It wasn’t until she’d nearly disappeared from view that Lucifer finally hurried to catch up, scrambling down the path until he’d reached her.

The two walked past giant trees with trunks the size of small houses, past falling vines and wide, bright orange flowers that seemed to open for them as they walked by. Eventually, Lucifer had the distinct sensation that they were walking uphill. As their elevation increased, the trees became fewer and fewer, replaced by waves of tall, green grass that shimmered in the heavenly light. Eventually, a thick, white mist descended on them, making it difficult to see more than a few steps ahead—giving the place an even more mystical feel.      

After a brief stretch, however, the fog began to lift, as though they were exiting a cloud. Suddenly able to see again, Lucifer stared around him, speechless. He could now see that they were at the top of a very tall mountain, completely surrounded by soaring peaks, their jagged crests visible in the distance. He took in a sharp breath. There were mountains in the garden? Mountains??

He followed Eve across what appeared to be the summit, expecting to see a gentle slope on the other side. What he saw instead made his jaw drop. They were, in fact, on a giant precipice, as though the entire mountain had simply been sliced in half. Beyond the craggy bluff on which they stood was an enormous valley, hundreds of feet across. Floating above it, between the mountains, was a dense mist that hovered in the air like a blanket.

Lucifer stared. Eve, on the other hand, flopped indifferently down on the grass. “Sorry to make you come all this way,” she apologized. “I just figured this spot is a bit more secluded. Plus the view is nice.”

Lucifer stayed silently standing, unable to answer for a moment.

“Eve, you… you don’t do it justice,” he said, finally. He gazed out, drinking it in. They had a hundred-and-eighty-degree view of the entire valley, the midst hovering below them like a pearly ocean, lapping up the mountain slopes like waves on a shore. All around, the tallest peaks towered above, seeming to look proudly down on them.

“What do you mean?” Eve asked.

“It… it’s the most remarkable thing I’ve ever laid eyes on.”

“Really?”

He nodded. “Beyond a doubt.” He took in a breath of fresh mountain air, his eyes panning the landscape.

Eve looked out at the swirls of mist that drifted slowly along. “I guess it is pretty nice, isn’t it?” she said, with a little more spirit. “It’s been so long since I saw it for the first time…” 

Lucifer took a seat next to her on the grass. The two of them stayed quiet for a moment, simply gazing out at the view.

“I like how you see things,” she said to him suddenly. “You make the garden seem…fresh. It reminds me of how I used to see it, all those years ago.”

“Well, happy to be of service if I can.” He smiled, faintly.

Eve sighed. “I wish I could see it as you do…” she said, staring out over the valley. Off in the distance, a pair of eagles made circles over the clouds. “Maybe…” Her eyes lit up, as though an idea were taking shape. “Maybe I could show you other stuff… There’s more to this garden, you know? Lots of stuff I haven’t even shown you yet. Maybe if I show it to you, it will feel new again…”  

Lucifer turned to her. He could see the desire brimming in her eyes. He let out a breath, and with it any delusions that this would be his last visit. “I’d like that,” he answered, honestly.

At that, she, too, seemed to exhale. “I’m glad,” she said, smiling earnestly. “I can think of lots of stuff to show you. You’ll like it.” Her eyes beamed. “I promise.”

He returned her smile. “If today’s any indication, I think you’ll make quite the tour guide, Eve. This place is extraordinary.” He turned back to the scene in front of him. “There’s nothing like it in the Silver City. It’s all just full of roads and… statues of my father…” He groaned. 

“Roads…?” Eve asked, her face suddenly full of curiosity. “Statues??”

Lucifer looked back at her, amused.

“Tell me more!” she begged.

“You want to hear more about roads??” 

“I guess it must seem silly…” she said, suddenly sounding embarrassed. “They must be so commonplace for you.”

“No more commonplace than this valley is for you,” he said, reassuringly.

Eve stared out at the distant mountains. “I… I’ve often imagined it…” she said, contemplatively. “The Silver City, I mean.” Her eyes traced the distant treetops, peaking in and out of the fog. “I’ve always wanted to go there. I…” She stopped herself, seeming to consider for a moment before continuing. “I… almost went. Once.”

Lucifer gazed at her. Something in her eyes, in the sudden lines which had formed over her brow, told him that this was not a happy memory. He was desperately curious, and yet, he managed to hold himself back. He waited.   

She looked down, focusing on a small rock at her feet. “I… I found a break in the wall… a few years ago, now,” she finally went on, her voice low. “It… wasn’t very big. Not big enough to squeeze through, anyway. But I could see out of it.” She picked up the rock and slid it between her fingers. “I used to just lie on the ground, staring for hours. There wasn’t anything to see. Just some dirt and trees. But I loved the idea that it was beyond everything I’d ever known.” She let out a breath. “I desperately wanted to go out. To see the Silver City. So, I… I told Adam.” Her voice sank. “I thought he could help me break open the wall. I wasn’t strong enough myself.”

Her expression was somber. For several seconds she didn’t speak. 

“And…?” Lucifer finally asked, unable to hold back his curiosity any longer. “Was he of any help?”

She shook her head. “He immediately became very angry. Said I was ungrateful. Said the Creator made me for him, and here I wanted to abandon him… I told him no. I wanted to take him with me! I wanted us to go out together!” Her jaw tightened. “He didn’t understand. Asked why would I ever want to leave this place? The Creator had given us everything we could possibly want. This was paradise. The Creator had said so. There was nothing better anywhere else in the world…” Her voice trailed off. 

Lucifer gazed at her, her eyes full of heartbreak. Again, he felt it. The pull. The tug at his chest. A deep desire to move toward her, to be near her.

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

“You are not ungrateful,” he finally said, forcefully. “You deserve to experience everything the universe has to offer. You don’t deserve to be kept here, like some sort of caged pet…”

He looked spitefully up toward his father’s tower. Even here, seeming lightyears away from the city and all its inhabitants, he could still make out the imposing structure, jutting its way into the clouds.

“Maybe,” she sighed. “But it’s all I’ve got…”

Lucifer didn’t respond. He was busy retracing Eve’s story in his mind. He felt… angry. And not just at his father.

“Forgive me for saying so, Eve,” he said finally. “But he shouldn’t speak to you that way… Adam, I mean.” He grit his teeth. “No one should be forced to deny their desires.”

Eve shrugged. “I don’t know,” she said sadly. “Maybe he shouldn’t. But I can’t really blame him. He was probably nervous. This is the only world he’s ever known.”

Lucifer let out a huff. Another excuse for bad behavior, he thought. It was just like them—beings like Adam, like his father—to find justifications for manipulating everyone around them. “It’s not fair,” he snarled, nostrils flaring. “Him holding you back like that… Not letting you be what you truly are…”

Suddenly, Eve trained her eyes on Lucifer’s face. She stared at him, her expression full of curiosity. “What about you?” she asked, slowly. “Is someone holding you back?”

“Oh… well,” Lucifer stuttered, suddenly self-conscious. Then he paused, letting out a sigh. “I don’t know,” he said, frankly. “I… I just have this feeling… Even though my father’s been gone for eighty years, I feel as though…”—he knit his brow in confusion— “he’s controlling everything. What I see. What I do. Somehow influencing me. My choices. My will.” He sneered. “Perhaps I’m only paranoid. My sister seems to think so. But… it’s such a strong feeling…” he paused, looking intensely over the mountains. For a moment he didn’t speak.

“I wanted more than anything to get out of the Silver City,” he finally said, letting his gaze roam back to Eve. “To be some place that wasn’t all built just for me and my siblings. To… see some place new.”

“And now you’re here,” she said, smiling.

He smiled back at her. “And now I’m here.”

“Wait…” Eve said, suddenly thoughtful. “I never asked how you got into the garden in the first place. The gates are locked…”

“Oh, I flew in.”

“Right!” she said with a chuckle. “Angels have wings…” And then, suddenly her gaze intensified, darting back towards him. “Angles… have… WINGS!”

Uh oh… Lucifer thought. He did not like where this was headed.

She fixed her eyes on his. “Can you… can you carry someone!??” she asked fervently. “While you fly??”

“Ohh no!” he insisted, suddenly jumping to his feet. “No! No, no, no, no.” He shook his head. “I’m not even supposed to be here! I’m not even supposed to be talking to you! If Dad found me flying his creation over the wall…” He sucked in a sharp breath of terror.

She stared at him in disbelief. “But! But…” she tried to protest, yet the words didn’t seem to come. “You… you’re really that worried about him?” she finally managed to ask. “About the Creator?”

“Yes!” Lucifer looked her in the eye. “He will destroy me! I’ve already gone against his direct order by flying in here! I’m already on thin ice… any moment he could enact his vengeance…” He began to pace anxiously.  

“But…” Eve said again, her voice desperate. “But I really don’t think you need to worry. I mean, I go against his orders all the time! He never does anything…”

Lucifer’s expression turned from fear to shock. He stared at her, incredulous. “You… go against his orders? His explicit orders?”

“Yes!” she said happily, as though she may have convinced him. “And everything is fine!” she smiled. 

He kept staring. “What… orders?”

“Well,” she considered for a moment. “Back when he used to come all the time, he made a really big deal about not eating the apples from that tree that grows near the garden wall. He seemed very serious about it. Said something about it being the tree of knowledge or something. But sometimes I’d see him collecting them. So I figured he just wanted them for himself.”

Recognition flashed in Lucifer’s eyes. “He used to give them to my mother…” he said.

“Yeah, exactly! So then, he was gone for so long, I figured he must not need them anymore.”

Lucifer looked at her seriously. “Did you… eat one?” he asked, slowly.

Eve managed to laugh. “One? I’ve been eating them for years! They’re pretty good. Wanna try? I’ll take you there.”

“No!” Lucifer nearly shouted. “Definitely not! Maybe you’re not afraid of him, but I am!” He resumed his pacing. “You don’t know! You don’t know what he did to my brother…” He shuddered at the memory. “No. No way am I trying any apples. And I am certainly not flying you anywhere! I mean, if he wanted you to leave this place he wouldn’t have built a giant wall around it!” 

Eve fell silent. She stared at the ground. For several seconds, she didn’t speak. Finally she peered back up at him, eyes pleading. “But… you’re my only chance…”

Lucifer stopped moving. He looked down at her. Slowly he swallowed, desperate to brace himself against the sickening feeling he felt forming in his stomach.

“I’m… I’m sorry,” he said, his voice quiet. “Honestly, I am. I would if I could. Truly. You may not know this, but you are his prized creation. You and Adam. Dad used to spend hours with the two of you… instead of with us…” He paused for a moment. “If I somehow interfered with his plans regarding you… I don’t know what he’d do.” He shook his head. “I’m sorry, Eve. It’s just too dangerous.” He sucked in a breath. 

Eve’s eyes returned to the ground. Again, she didn’t speak. “But…” she finally began, slowly. “You already disobeyed him, didn’t you?” Her voice was barely above a whisper. “You came into the garden. That was against a direct order, wasn’t it?” 

He didn’t answer.

“And nothing happened, right?” she said, a slight hint of hope remaining in her voice.

Lucifer didn’t know what to say. He could read the desire etched on her face. He knew all too well what it was like—to want freedom. To pine for it. And yet… he knew he couldn’t bring himself to do it. He wouldn’t cross his father… He was still too… too… scared. That was it. All there was to it. He was a coward. A bloody coward. Though… he didn’t want to be. 

Suddenly, Eve smiled broadly, as though an idea had just come to her. “Stay here!” she said abruptly, interrupting Lucifer’s thoughts. “I’ll be right back. Just…just stay here!”

Before he could protest, she’d run off.

Lucifer stood, looking reflectively out over the valley. He knew he should probably leave. Whatever she was planning, it couldn’t be good. And yet, for some reason, he found himself staying put. He simply surveyed the clouds, watching the birds fly lazily overhead.

After a time, he glanced back toward the path to see Eve’s tiny figure making its way back up the mountain. As he squinted at her, he felt a cold shiver trace its way down his spine. Though she was still some distance away, he could make out something sharply red and shiny clutched in her right hand. 

When she finally made it up to the summit, she was panting from exertion. Without speaking, she walked over and held it out to him. He looked down in terror, as though she were handing him a grenade.  

“Come on…” she finally said. “Just one bite! A little bite can’t hurt, can it? I’ve done it loads of times! Even though he told me not to.” She smiled hopefully. “Then, maybe you’ll see that you don’t have to be afraid of him!”

Lucifer shook his head, highly doubtful. But still, somehow, he found himself taking the apple from her. He stared down at it, contemplating its seemingly innocent sheen. He had had apples before, of course. From other trees. But this one… this was different.

This one was rebellion. It was freedom. 

Slowly, he felt himself lift the fruit to his lips, and take a bite.

Chapter Text

Of course, nothing happened when Lucifer bit the apple. He ought to have guessed as much. Nothing had happened when he’d landed in the garden, when he talked to Eve for the first time, when he’d returned to Eden, more than once. Had his father really stopped paying attention? Completely abandoned his role? He knew he ought to have been relieved at his luck. And yet, his lack of punishment left him feeling strangely… alone.   

Despite his apparent impunity, Lucifer still wouldn’t dare to fly Eve over the wall. That was a level of meddling with his father’s plans that he could not fathom. Eve, for her part, had tried everything. Begging. Pleading. Reasoning. She didn’t seem to understand why Lucifer was so steadfast in his fear of his father. But in the end, she’d given in. “I guess you know him better than I do,” she’d admitted. In any case, she said, she couldn’t really leave Adam. He might never forgive her. And she would miss him terribly.

And so, with that, the subject was dropped. Lucifer told himself it was a relief, though it proved more difficult than he’d expected to ignore the sickening sensation he felt gnawing at his insides. Of course, it was natural to want to help, he told himself, but certainly not worth risking life and limb.

So, instead, he simply promised her that he’d come back every day. He knew he was the only source of newness, of fresh experience available to her. He could see what that meant clearly written on her face. When he’d given her his word to return, when he’d told her stories of the Silver City, when he’d expressed his amazement at all the garden had to offer, her eyes had lit up with pure excitement. In truth it gave him a bit of a rush knowing he had that effect on her. Promise or no, he wouldn’t really have been able to stay away.          

Every day she showed him something new of the garden. First was the Volcano of Bliss—a small hill in the middle of the forest, about 50 feet or so high, exploding bursts of sizzling liquid that ebbed their way along the forest floor in rivulets of sparkling red. Lucifer was taken aback when Eve casually walked up to one of the streams, dipping in her hand and bringing it up to her lips. “Come on!” she said smiling, waving him over to join.

The liquid was thick, almost like jelly. As it rolled across his tongue, Lucifer’s eyes widened. It was somehow sweet and tart and tasted of… happiness? He had never felt an emotion so clearly before, and yet he was feeling it on his lips. He looked at Eve, incredulous. She laughed heartily. “I like how you see things,” she said.

Next, they tried the Pendulum Vines—trailing offshoots of trees that grew over a lengthy, narrow ravine—perhaps 40 feet long, and deep enough that a being standing at the top couldn’t even make out the bottom. Eve showed Lucifer the way first, grabbing hold of a vine and swinging gracefully across, hopping off with ease as she made a clean landing on the other side.

For a moment, Lucifer simply stood, staring blankly at one of the vines. He had been skeptical when Eve first told him about it. He could fly, after all, and he didn’t know what new thrill holding on to some rope could bring. After complaining to her as much, she’d told him not to let out his wings. “The excitement comes from being at the mercy of gravity!” she’d said.

He’d stared back at her, blankly.

“Promise!” she’d insisted. And then, a twinkle forming in her eye, “If I see so much as a shadow of a feather, I’ll mock you for cowardice.”    

He’d huffed at the suggestion, tossing out a dismissive glance. But now, staring at the withered vine, he couldn’t help but feel vaguely… uneasy. He’d never flown without his wings before, and he knew his pride would keep them securely tucked away—whether he needed them or not.

Finally, he let out a sigh, grabbed the rope-vine and fell into the gorge. As he saw the rocky walls sailing past him at breakneck speed, the endless expanse of space below him, he felt a scream escape his lips, continuing rather loudly until he had completely landed on the other side.

Finally on solid ground, he grinned with satisfaction. Then he turned to Eve, seeing her doubled over, tears of mirth pouring out of her eyes. His smile faded and he cleared his throat. “Excuse me,” he said, letting go of the rope and brushing the wrinkles out of his vest, “but this seems quite unfair. You said you’d mock me for letting out my wings. You never said anything about screaming.”           

After that, they tried the Symphony Cave. It was, by all outward appearances, a typical cave—blue-grey, stony walls, the occasional bat making its journey past the scattered stalactites that hung near the opening—but sitting in front of its large mouth, a being could hear a continuous stream of melodies, as though an entire orchestra sat inside, playing with the greatest possible feeling.  

Lucifer sat, entranced, as the most immersive rhythms he’d ever experienced filled his chest, syncopating with his heartbeat. He shut his eyes in concentration, unaware that Eve had silently turned from the cave she’d experienced perhaps thousands of times before, watching instead the view of Lucifer’s features as he sat, his head gently nodding to the sounds washing over them.

***

“Well,” he said, looking at Eve with a warm smile. “That was truly sublime.”

Eve leaned back against her tall rock with satisfaction. “I’m glad you liked it.”

He knelt down by the edge of the pool, dipping a hand in the water and bringing it to his lips. It was refreshingly cool, almost sweet. He swallowed. “What shall we do tomorrow, then?” he asked.    

Eve grinned, seeming to relish the thought before considering. “Well, there’s the Flying Fortress and the Shining Chasma…”—she began tapping her finger absentmindedly against her cheek— “both of which could be good, but then there’s also the Petaled Portal… and of course at some point you need to see the Triangular Temple…” Lucifer listened passively as she continued to list off nonsensical names, the words falling from her lips in quick, muddled succession. Soon he’d tuned all of it out, focusing instead on her furrowed brow, her legs shifting restlessly from side to side, the seriousness in her voice as she went on and—

“What do you want to do?” he interrupted her.

Suddenly she stopped fidgeting, turning sharply to look at him. “Oh,” she said, blankly. For a moment, she didn’t answer. Finally she shrugged. “Well, it doesn’t really matter to me. I’ve done it all before a million times anyway.” She smiled half-heartedly.

“Really?” Lucifer asked, cocking his head. “You’ve tried everything?”

“Of course.” She smiled. “I’ve been here for a hundred years!”  

He nodded. No need to remind her that she’s stuck here, he thought. Still, he wanted to please her if he could. “So, there’s… nothing? Nothing in this garden you particularly desire?”

Suddenly Eve looked hesitant. For a moment she looked away. “Nope.” She smiled again.

Lucifer stared back at her. He could sense the desire brewing, hiding behind the artificial ease in her eyes. This won’t do, he thought. She was obviously denying herself something, and he, of angels, could not allow that.

“Eve…” he said slowly, gazing deep into her eyes. She stared back at him, confused at first, and then with complete focus, as though drawn into a trance. “Tell me,” he asked. “What is it that you truly desire?”

“I…” she sputtered.

He kept his eyes locked on hers, leaning in. “Yes?”

“I… I want to hunt!” The words exploded from her lips.

“Oh…” Lucifer said, taken aback. “That was unexpected.”

Eve’s eyes narrowed in confusion, before something tense and vaguely irritated passed over her features. “Wow,” she said flatly. “You do that a lot, huh?”

“Apologies,” Lucifer conceded. “But I just wanted you to understand your desire. No good can come from denying it.” He looked at her thoughtfully. “So… you’ve never hunted before?”

Eve’s eyes sought the ground. “No…” she muttered.  

“Why not? Seems there’s plenty of game around here.” He scanned the bushes.

She sighed, sitting down on her rock. “Adam…” she began, slowly. “Adam says the Creator intended only men to hunt.”

Lucifer stared at her, incredulous. “Why in Father’s name would he say that??”

She shrugged. “He says that if a woman does it, the Creator would be angry. And, in any case, I wouldn’t be any good.” Her shoulders turned inward, seeming to collapse in on themselves.

“I must say,” Lucifer grumbled, “the more I hear about this Adam of yours, the less I think of him.”

Eve suddenly shot him a glance. “Of course he has his flaws, but he’s still my husband,” she said, sharply.

Lucifer swallowed. “Apologies, I didn’t mean to criticize, but…” —he looked at her sincerely— “No one should hold you back like that.”

She stared back at him for a moment, a sadness coming into her eyes. Finally she gave a slight shrug, turning toward the ground. She didn’t speak.  

He maintained his gaze, his eyes soft. “I’m sure you’d make a wonderful huntress, Eve.”

At this, she slowly turned back to face him. “You… you think so?” she asked.  

“I do.”  

“I… I think I would be good!” she blurted out, her voice suddenly overflowing with long pent-up frustration. “Sometimes I see an animal in the grass, and I can stalk it really quietly. I can get so close that I can almost touch it, and it doesn’t even hear me! Doesn’t even move!”

“Well,” Lucifer said simply. “Then it’s settled.”

“What is?”

“Tomorrow we hunt.”

The excitement on her face faded. “But… we can’t.”

“Why not?”

“Well… Adam has all the bows and arrows,” she said, anxiously.  

He thought for a moment. “Well, that won’t be a problem. I can get all the necessary tools from Remiel.”

“Who?” Eve asked.

“My sister. She has plenty. Hunts all the time. Barely takes a break to relax and properly serve up her spoils.” He rolled his eyes. “Such a waste.”

Eve stared back at him. “Your sister hunts?” she asked, slowly.

“Of course,” Lucifer replied. And then, catching her meaning, “Oh, don’t tell me you actually believed that tripe about Father intending only men to hunt!” He shook his head. “Remiel’s the best huntress male or female I know! And her gift is curtesy of dear old Dad. Tell that to your… Adam,” he said with a derisive smirk. “She’s a bit stingy with her bows though. But I’m sure I can get my hands on one while she’s otherwise occupied.” He smiled knowingly.

She looked up at him for a moment, silent. “You’d do that?” She finally asked.

She was staring at him with a look he’d never seen before. He was used to being looked at with wanton desire but this was… different. It made him feel vaguely uneasy.  

“Of course,” he finally said, feigning a lighthearted smile. “I don’t see why I should be the only one having new experiences.”

He waited for her to respond, but she only stared back at him, a distant look in her eyes.

He cleared his throat. “Well… I’ll see you here tomorrow?”

That seemed to break her trance. She nodded.

“Good. I may be a bit late though. I have…” —he groaned— “some family business to attend to. But I’ll come as soon as I can.”

“Tomorrow,” she said, warmly.

He nodded back to her, before letting out his wings and launching into the air.

Chapter Text

Lucifer stepped inside the colossal ballroom. It was so wide that the domed windows opposite him appeared almost tiny, as if they belonged to another space entirely. They sat amidst towering panels that reached up to an arched ceiling—covered with ornate silverwork and elaborate frescas. All along the walls, a smattering of what looked like tiny stars glowed with sparkling brilliance, somehow still managing to stand out against the sharp, white light which filled the chamber. Despite the room’s decadence, it was—except for one or two beings—largely empty, leaving Lucifer with a hollow feeling as he entered, his footsteps echoing off the distant walls.

At the far end, an elegant woman stood facing a hanging bouquet of flower buds. She wore a bright, yellowy-orange dress—its thin fabric seeming to flow from her, drifting through the air like an extension of her body. Her long, blonde hair fell around her like a waterfall of light. As she stood silently watching the bouquet, the flowers suddenly began to open, their petals reaching out as if drawn to some unseen source of energy. They grew larger and larger, with new blossoms sprouting forth, until they could barely be contained in the now-seemingly tiny vessel. She cocked her head with casual interest, her eyes registering approval. Upon hearing the sound of footsteps, however, she abruptly turned—the flowers instantly halting their growth.   

The woman’s eyes, which had a self-assured power to them, softened as they rested on Lucifer. She moved toward him, seeming almost to float rather than walk. “You made it,” she said smiling, her voice full of warmth.        

“Of course I did!” he said casually. “When I hear my mother needs help, I heed the call!”

She took his shoulders in her hands and leaned in to kiss him on the cheek. “I haven’t seen you in weeks,” she said, keeping hold of him, continuing to study his features. “I was worried…”  

“Oh, don’t mind me!” he said, dismissively. “Just running amuck, as usual. Getting into trouble…” He grinned at her. 

She sighed, seemingly relieved. “Good,” she said, decisively. “You look well. You seem… lighter. You’re happier than you’ve been, I can tell.” She touched his forehead softly. “Your glow is brighter.” 

At that, Lucifer pulled away, shaking his head. “What? That’s preposterous. My glow is always bright!”

Lucifer’s mother simply sighed, watching him as he wandered away. She gave a slight shake of her head before floating back to her flowers, picking one and leaving the room.   

Lucifer strode up to Azrael who was perched on the molding of the wall near the ceiling, her wings outstretched in case she lost her footing. She was carefully hanging strands of garlands—their dark green leaves punctuated by bright pink and yellow flowers. 

“Azi!” he called up to her. “How’s it hangin’?”

Azrael groaned at his choice of words. “I’m surprised you came,” she said, not bothering to look down at him. “I thought you were busy.”

Lucifer could feel the accusation in her voice, but chose to ignore it. “Well! I wouldn’t miss Anno Mundi, would I?? It’s the anniversary of creation! A time to celebrate!”

“Well, congrats for completing the bare minimum.” She turned, finally glancing down at him. “So… you actually gonna help? Or you just gonna stand there?” She nodded over to a pile of garlands lying on the floor.

“Oh! Of course…” He leaned over and picked them up. As he was reaching to hand a strand up to her, the hollow footsteps of someone entering the room made him turn. A pleased smile spread over his features and he immediately walked over, letting the bundle of garlands drop to the floor. Azrael rolled her eyes.  

“Luce, my man!” A muscular angel with light fluffy hair, broad shoulders and a goofy grin walked up to Lucifer, grabbing his hand and leaning in to give him a warm slap on the back. 

“Jophiel!” Lucifer said as he returned the pat, meeting his brother’s shoulder with his own.

“Where in Father’s name have you been??” Jophiel demanded.  

“Oh… nowhere in particular.”

“You been somewhere, that’s for sure! I haven’t seen you in damn near a month! Had to go to parties by myself!” He leaned in, his voice barely above a whisper. “I was lost without my wingman, you know… I even made out with Marinadel…”

“Oh… dear Dad…” 

“I know, right!?” He moaned.

“Right. Well. I see I’ve been neglecting my duties. You’re obviously not ready to fly the coop yet. Still just a fledgling when it comes to knowing how to party properly.” He looked at Jophiel seriously. “I promise to be more attentive in the future.” 

“Thanks, man—” His response was cut short by a sharp gust of wind that suddenly blew through the hall, rustling everyone’s clothing and threatening to displace Azrael’s carefully hung garlands. Jophiel turned to the pair of large, stained-glass doors that had suddenly swung open, their metal frames clanging to and fro.

Lucifer didn’t bother to look, but simply let out an irritated groan. “Well,” he muttered. “If it isn’t that quintessential party animal now…”

“Brother!” Amenadiel shouted as soon as he’d landed on the veranda. He sauntered in through the large, now-open doorway, only bothering to pull in his wings once he was fully inside. He grinned contemptuously at Lucifer. “I’m surprised you bothered to show up. Usually familial duties aren’t really your thing…”

“On the contrary,” Lucifer said lightly. “I am nothing if not the dutiful son.” 

“Right,” Amenadiel scoffed. He stood, facing Lucifer, looking especially proud with his muscular, bare arms jutting out from his silvery vest. He stared, scrutinizing Lucifer’s face. “Is that why I’ve heard stories of you showing up at nearly every cherub gathering and suggesting they drink copious amounts of alcohol??”

Lucifer shrugged. “I fail to see what that has to do with duty…” 

Amenadiel smirked. Then he took in a breath, as if gearing up for something big. “Actually, I’m glad you’re here, brother… I’ve been meaning to have a talk with you for a while now.” He sighed, as though reluctant, but compelled to continue. “It’s about your behavior. The constant partying, the disregard for Father’s laws, the dereliction of duty… It has to stop.”

Lucifer groaned. “So, is it that time already? Time for my regular lecture? To tell me what a bad boy I’ve been?” he sneered. “We’ve been through this before, brother! Tell me, exactly how long do you plan on keeping up this charade?”    

“What are you talking about?” Amenadiel asked.  

“Oh, come now!” Lucifer exclaimed. “This drivel about Dad putting you in charge while he’s away! Claiming to hear his voice!… Please explain to me, dear brother: if he was so keen on you running things in his absence, why did he not bother to let the rest of us know??”  

For a moment, Amenadiel glanced off to the side, avoiding Lucifer’s gaze. “You know our father works in mysterious ways…” he said quietly. Then he straightened, turning to look directly at his brother. “In any case, believe what you like!” he said with renewed determination. “I did hear it. Clear as day! And I would be remiss in my duties if I didn’t address your recent behavior…” He glared at him. “You know father doesn’t approve of drink amongst the cherubim! Especially to excess.”

“Oh pleazze!” Lucifer rolled his eyes. “Don’t tell me you believe that tripe! Did Father ever actually say that? Or is that just some cherub priest’s interpretation??”

“That’s my interpretation.”

“Right,” Lucifer said, skeptically. “Well. Not to question your authority, but I happen to have my own thoughts on Father’s position regarding alcohol. Have you forgotten that he’s the one who invented the stuff? I mean, honestly, what do you think he’s doing in that tower?? All by himself? Day and night?”

Amenadiel stepped back with apparent shock. “How dare you suggest something so base about our father!?”  

Lucifer rolled his eyes. “Well, excuse me! I’d love to hear some alternative theory for how he spends his time up there. Perhaps he’s taken up archery. Basket weaving? Crochet, perhaps?”

Amenadiel glared at him. “He ought to smite you for that…”

“Too bad you’re not really in charge,” Lucifer said with a malicious grin. “You could do it yourself.”

For several seconds Amenadiel didn’t reply, merely staring at Lucifer, nostrils flaring. Finally he relaxed his gaze, letting out a breath. “I’ll leave that up to father…” he groaned.  

For a moment, the two brothers simply stared icily at one another. Anxiously, Jophiel strode in between them, patting them both jovially on the back. “Guys, guys! It’s Anno Mundi!” he said cheerily. “How bout we not get into a huge fight that’s extremely uncomfortable for the rest of us… Can’t we all just get along??”  

Lucifer suddenly looked thoughtful. “What about him?” he said, pointing at Jophiel. “Why don’t you get on his case?? He’s been to more parties this week than I have!” 

Amenadiel shook his head. “At least Jophiel acts respectable during the day and observes the Sabbath…”

“I beg your pardon,” Lucifer said, indignant. “I never work on Saturday!”

“Actually, Luce,” Jophiel said, somewhat sheepishly. “I hate to say it, but Amenadiel does have a bit of a point… I mean, would it hurt you to go to a worship ceremony every once in a while?” 

Lucifer took a step back, staring at Jophiel as though he’d been stabbed in the back.

“I’m just sayin’!” Jophiel said defensively. “It might help clean up your image a bit… You know. Help the fam keep our good name?”

“Thank you, Jophiel!” Amenadiel agreed, heartily. “Couldn’t have said it better myself.” He looked at Lucifer, seriously. “Luci, we are God’s children…” he said, earnestly. “It’s up to us to be pillars in the community. To set an example. They look to us for leadership.”

Lucifer stared back at Amenadiel. “When will you understand??” he yelled. “I’m not like you, brother! I am not one for rules and responsibility! I am no leader, and I don’t expect anyone to follow me!” He exhaled sharply. “Have you ever considered that the cherubim may be capable of thinking for themselves!?? Making their own choices? Following their own will?”

Amenadiel let out a snort of derision. “Of course. The cherubim are known for their wise decision making.” He chuckled. “Look, Luci,” he said, resuming his serious tone. “Like it or not, you are a leader. An important son of God. You need to carefully consider your actions.” He stepped closer to him. “You might think that just because Dad used to favor you, you’re safe from his wrath, somehow above his laws…” He looked him dead in the eye. “But I’ve got news for you. Just because he treated you as one of his favorites doesn’t mean you don’t have responsibilities. It doesn’t make you immune to punishment.”    

Lucifer smirked. “‘One of his favorites?’ That’s an understatement…”

“Is it, Luci?” Amenadiel met his gaze. “No one has heard from him in eighty years. How do you know you still hold that position??” He raised an eyebrow. “With the way you’ve been acting, I wouldn’t be surprised if you’d already fallen from grace.”

Lucifer snickered. “You’d like to believe that, wouldn’t you?”

Amenadiel shrugged. “I wouldn’t be so quick to dismiss the possibility. After all…” he said, letting a slight smile run over his lips. “If he really liked you best, wouldn’t he have spoken to you?”

A tension suddenly filled the room. Azrael turned, looking down on them. Jophiel stared anxiously at Lucifer.

Lucifer glared at Amenadiel, his eyes fixed, lips twitching. “He hasn’t spoken to anyone,” he seethed.  

“Sure,” Amenadiel said, with a twinkle in his eye. “Keep telling yourself that.”

For several seconds, no one spoke. All eyes were trained on Lucifer.  

And then, somehow, instead of delivering the bitter retort, the angry blow they all were expecting, he simply turned, marching toward the veranda doors.

“Well. That’s about as much bloody holiday cheer as I can handle…” he snarled. “Enjoy your family celebration. If I don’t see any of you until next year it’ll be too soon.” And with that, he walked out, slamming the door behind him as he left.

The room fell back into silence.

Hearing the door, the Goddess of Creation floated back into the chamber. “What’s going on??” she asked. “…Where’s Lucifer?”

No one answered.

After a beat, she glared at them, realization coming over her features. “You ought to be ashamed of yourselves!!” she hissed. “It’s Anno Mundi!!”

Almost in unison, everyone lowered their heads. Still, no one spoke.

Finally, Azrael jumped down off the wall, giving her wings a single flap to slow her descent. Her siblings simply watched, unmoving, as she made her way to the veranda.

Finding no sign of him in the courtyard, she turned a corner. There he was, with his back to her, wings outstretched.  

“Hey!” she yelled.

He turned, and, upon seeing her, lowered his eyes with displeasure. Clearly he thought he’d already made his escape. “What do you want?” he muttered.

She hesitated. “Where you headed?” she asked, nodding to his open wings.

For a moment he didn’t answer. Finally, he looked up, holding her gaze meaningfully, his eyes turning to narrow slits. “To go talk to someone who won’t ask me to be someone I’m not…” he muttered.

Azrael swallowed as she took in his words. “So…” she said, slowly, her voice grave. “You’re… talking to her now?”

Lucifer glared back at her. And then, without another word, took off into the air.  

Chapter Text

“Let me try again!” Eve begged. “I keep getting closer…”

Lucifer let out disgruntled groan.

They’d been standing behind some tall shrubbery for what seemed like hours, attempting to hunt. Attempting because, neither of them having any experience, had not been very successful. They’d taken turns shooting at a stag, who, munching on some grass, appeared to place no confidence at all in their abilities, barely deigning to turn his head as the arrows whizzed by, several feet from his head.

“You’ve had your chance,” Lucifer said, not looking at her, keeping his eyes determinedly on the stag. “Let a son of God show you how it’s done.” He took another arrow from his pouch, his gaze training on the animal with laser-focus. He shut one eye, drawing the bow back slowly, past his chin, hand steady, mouth pursed in concentration. A half-smile etched its way up one side of his lips. And then, finally, he released. The arrow soared determinedly up in the air, before making a sharp bell-curve, diving down, a few feet from where they stood, directly into the dirt. The deer chewed its grass.

“Well!” Lucifer said, letting his arm drop. “At least it went forward that time!” He grinned at Eve.

She sighed, letting her eyes fall to the ground. “I dunno,” she said with resignation. “Maybe we should just—” Suddenly she froze. Her eyes narrowed on the bushes in front of them. Slowly she reached up, grabbing Lucifer’s upper arm and tugging at his sleeve. “Lucifer,” she whispered. “What’s that?”

His eyes fell first to her hand, letting them linger a few seconds too long on the spot where she’d touched him, before following her gaze down to the lower leaves of the shrub. They rustled slightly, until a tiny head poked out, nose twitching. It darted back into the leaves.

He smiled, knowingly. “That’s dinner…”

Eve acted first, running to the hedge, grabbing it’s branches and giving it a firm shake. “There!” she yelled, pointing to a brown shape, shooting out of the foliage and moving quickly along the grass.

Lucifer darted quickly after it, moving off the path and into the forest, jumping over rocks and fallen branches, eyes narrowing, face serious, arms flailing around him. He could vaguely hear Eve behind him, her footsteps rustling over the forest floor. The rabbit, for his part, darted expertly through trees, below the undergrowth, before finally turning a corner… into a rocky bluff. It froze, cornered.

Lucifer stopped to catch his breath, making sure to keep the creature in his sights, lest it try any sudden moves. “Now Eve,” he called back to her. “I know it looks quite sweet and innocent,” he said, taking on the air of a wise, patient teacher. “But this is the cycle of life. Don’t feel bad about—”

Eve flew past him, diving onto her knees and pouncing on the creature, grabbing its body and, with one fell swoop, driving an arrow into its flesh.

Lucifer simply stared at her as she rose, knees and face scuffed with dirt. She grabbed the creature by its ears, staring at it for a moment, eyes wide with amazement. Finally she turned to Lucifer, the surprise on her face quickly morphing into pure, unmitigated joy. “I… I did it!!” She yelled, her chest heaving. “Lucifer, I did it!! I did it!!” she cried out. “I’m… I’m a huntress!!”  

Lucifer simply stared back at her. It wasn’t her apparent penchant for killing that impressed him. It was the look in her eyes. The sparkle that could only come from doing what she’d always wanted. From realizing what she was capable of. He smiled back at her meekly, feeling something… bittersweet.

***

Hey! It’s not bad!” Eve said as she took another bite of rabbit leg.

They were sitting in the darkened woods. Lucifer’s mother had extinguished heaven’s light over an hour ago, and the firelight cast strange shadows on their faces. Lucifer turned the skewered meat over the flame. He didn’t say anything. Something about seeing her today, finally pursuing her desire, had made him quiet. Thoughtful.

“I know it took us a while, but all in all I think we did pretty well,” Eve said cheerily, between chews. “I knew we’d get it eventually.”

Lucifer gave a slight smile, but kept his eyes on the cooking meat. “Indeed. I rather think we’re naturals.” 

Eve let out a laugh. “Well, I don’t know about that! But in any case, we got there in the end.” She paused, looking over his features. “Anyway I… I just want to say thank you,” she said, seriously. “For… showing me what I could do.”

He turned and met her eyes briefly before looking back at the fire.

“I… was surprised when you suggested it,” she went on. “I can tell chasing things around in the dirt isn’t really your thing.”

He returned his gaze to her, noting the blackened smudges on her face, intermittently revealed in the firelight. He felt… happy for her. And, also, if he was honest, a bit… jealous? He understood how she felt. More than she knew. Absentmindedly, he rested the skewer against a rock, staring deep into the fire—feeling its heat, its energy. It’s force. He felt it inside him too. Struggling to break free.

“I know what it’s like to be held back,” he said suddenly. The words seemed to tumble from his lips, falling heavy on the space between them. He could feel Eve’s eyes, could sense her surprise at his abrupt change in tone. He wasn’t really sure if he should go on—if he wanted to. He’d never told anyone. And yet…

“When I was little, there was this time, I… shot light out of my hand.”  

Eve still didn’t speak, but he could feel her staring at him, a question on her lips. He avoided her gaze, looking instead at his own fingers. Remembering.

“I… still don’t know how I did it. Somehow, I created it. From nothing. From thin air.” He held up his hands in wonder. Feeling it again. The rush. The energy. The creation. “It was… incredible. To make something out of nothing. To give birth to existence like that…” His chest swelled. And then, as soon as the feeling had come, it seemed to come crashing down. “Of course, Dad found me… soon after,” he muttered. “He was quite angry. ‘Angels don’t create!!!’ he yelled. After that, it was like a curse.” He looked down at his empty palms. “I tried to create again. But I never could.”

He buried his hands in his lap, as though tucking away the source of his disappointment.

He looked at Eve. Her face was still, resting on his. “I’m sure you’d be a great Creator,” she said, simply.

He gave a slight smile. “Well, thank you. I suppose I… I’ll never know.”

The crackling of the fire filled the space.  

“Why…” Eve finally ventured, her voice tentative, “Why doesn’t your father come anymore?”

Lucifer raised an eyebrow, momentarily taken aback. But he simply shrugged. “He couldn’t face my mother,” he said, grimly.

Eve gave a slight nod, but her sideways glance betrayed her confusion. It was obvious she had no idea what he was talking about. Lucifer felt himself wince. He really didn’t want to get into it. As a rule, he habitually avoided discussing, or even thinking about … anything involving… that day. But… he scanned her face. There was something in her eyes. Something familiar.

“He left you, too, didn’t he?” he asked, suddenly.

Eve thought for a moment. Finally, she said slowly, “Aside from Adam, he was the only being I ever knew.” She shrugged. “I… miss him, sometimes.”   

Lucifer lowered his eyes, feeling more recognition than he cared to admit. He frowned. She deserved an explanation. Or at least as much of one as he was capable of giving.

“After he cut the wall of creation with my sister’s blade,” he began, slowly, “he met a goddess, in the other universe. A… woman.” His jaw tightened. “He… he was cheating on my mother.”

Eve’s lips parted slightly but no sound came out. It didn’t need to. The shock was clearly written on her face.  

Lucifer smirked. “What? Surprised that the ‘Creator’ would commit adultery? Well, that’s dear old Dad for you,” he scoffed. “Not so high and mighty after all.” He picked up a stick and threw it into the fire. “Of course, Mum found out… she finds out everything. And she did not react well.”

“What did she do…?” Eve asked.

Lucifer shrugged. “She destroyed all of creation,” he said, darkly.

She looked back at him, her eyes blank.

“Of course, she put it all back together again,” he added quickly, hoping to reassure her. “Just as it was. You probably didn’t even notice. Didn’t even know that you stopped existing for a moment…” He swallowed. “You probably don’t even remember…” he trailed off.  

“But… you do?” He suddenly heard her ask.

A cold ache came over him. He swallowed. “We remember,” he finally said, slowly. “We were… we were in the room when it happened.”  

He was suddenly there. Feeling it all over again—the fear. The pain. It hit him sharply, and then overwhelmingly, like a flood. “She burned,” he said, voice low, eyes glued to the flames. “Hotter than I’d ever seen. Her energy it was… scorching. Michael… he needed my help… I wanted to go to him, but I…” His voice became strained, hollow. “I couldn’t move…” He stopped. His chest felt tight. He swallowed, trying to keep down the lump in his throat.

It was several minutes before he remembered Eve’s presence. Self-consciously, he turned to her. She was staring back at him, eyes frozen in a look of horror.

“Well, I guess you don’t remember it then,” he said, putting on a strained smile.

Eve shook herself, as if trying to bring herself out of a trance, the shock in her eyes quickly turning to sadness. “She… burned you?” she asked, quietly.

There was a beat before he answered. “Well, she burned everything,” he said, with forced ease. “We just happened to be caught in the crossfire.”   

“You were a child, weren’t you?”

He swallowed. “Not quite grown, no.”  

She was sitting a little over a foot away from him. Without a word, with a sad yet determined expression, she propped herself up on her hands, scooting closer, moving until she was next to him, her bare knee touching his. Lucifer eyed her, questioningly.

She didn’t look at him, but simply stared ahead, into the fire. And then, all at once, she calmly leaned over, placing her head on his shoulder.

For an instant he froze, unsure of what to make of this sudden contact. But, feeling the warmth of her head against him, something inside—something that had just been tensely coiled—suddenly began to soften. He felt himself let out a breath, the muscles in his neck relax. Gradually, he felt his head fall towards her, resting on her soft hair.

The two of them remained, sitting like that for several minutes, quietly contemplating the fire—for once not feeling the need to do or say anything. He felt his mind go blank, watching the smoke and sparks dance upward into the abyss. Eventually, though, he closed his eyes, simply relishing in the feeling of being so close to someone.      

And then, without warning, she moved. It was a mere slight adjustment, but Lucifer’s eyes shot open, startled by the soft warmth of her cheek against his neck, sweeping across his skin. He swallowed. It was as though she was moving into him, trying to bury her face deeper into his shoulder. And then, unexpectedly, he felt her right arm reach up, casually draping itself around his back—her hand grasping tenderly onto his waist.

Again, he felt it. The pull. As if something in her was tugging at him, pulling his chest toward hers. He suddenly wanted to be as close to her as possible. He thought about putting his arm around her too, but she was so… naked. To touch the bare skin of her back was too much. But… he couldn’t resist.

He lifted his arm, feeling a tingling electricity as his skin touched hers. He wondered if she felt it too, because he heard a faint, unintentional breath escape her lips. Her arm tightened around his waist, and her head moved a little, nestling even closer into his neck. The movement sent a flood of sensation through him. She was so close to him, so… exposed, mere leaves separating him from her perfect chest. And her head kept moving against his shoulder. Closer and closer to his neck. So insistently. So purposefully.

Could she really be that naïve? That innocent? That this was merely a show of affection between friends? It seemed… unlikely. He could feel her hot breath reverberating off his shoulder, her skin brushing against his own. It was almost more than he could take. But… he couldn’t help but remember her words about Adam—the shock on her face when he’d suggested the mere possibility of anything between them. Her determined No stuck in his mind. He had fully believed her. And yet… her head was pressing into his neck so suggestively. What did she want?? And if she did want him, would he… refuse her? Could he really bare to do that?

Suddenly, she lifted her head slightly. She was no longer touching him, but a tingling energy seemed to pass between their faces. He froze. He could feel her eyes on him. He sucked in a breath, turning slightly to look down at her, watching her soft, rounded lips as they parted. He desperately wanted to touch them, to feel them on his own.

No!! Somewhere, in the back of his mind, something was shouting at him to stop. He shouldn’t do this. He couldn’t. But then… something else in him, something perhaps even more sensible, more reasonable, knew that he really had no choice. He would not be able to say no. He leaned his head toward her ever so slightly, so that their faces were mere inches apart, the energy seeming to bounce between them like a pair of live wires giving off sparks. His heart pounded in his chest. He lowered his eyes so that they were almost closed, but he could still sense her lips hovering there, waiting. Slowly, he leaned i—

“How could she do that to you?” He suddenly heard her ask.

Abruptly, Lucifer pulled back. He looked at her. In her eyes, he found not so much lust but a desire… to protect him? He exhaled, not sure whether to be disappointed or relieved. But… he glanced back at her face, sensing the tenderness. The compassion. He felt touched.

He took in a breath, trying to collect himself. “She was very mad,” he finally said, his voice low. “He had slept with another woman.”

Immediately, he felt Eve’s body stiffen. Very slowly, she took her hand off his back. “Oh…” she said simply.

She was quiet for a while. “I… I suppose if Adam slept with someone else, I’d be very mad…” she finally said, slowly. She looked up at him, her face filling with resolve. “But I would never do something like that,” she said forcefully. “I would never hurt a child. Hurt you…” She gazed at him.  

Lucifer stared back at her, clearing his throat. “And what about if… if you slept with someone else?” he asked, cautiously. “What would Adam do?”

She looked down, sorrow filling her features. “He’d… he’d be devastated. I know he would. But I…” She looked back up at him. This time there was no mistaking it. Lucifer could read it, clear as day—the longing in her eyes, the desire.  

And then, suddenly, apprehension came into them. She shook her head. “I… I’ve got to go,” she said abruptly. With some apparent difficulty, she tore her gaze away, scrambling onto her feet.

Lucifer simply stared at her as she moved. He didn’t know what to say.

She took a few steps into the darkened woods before turning back to look at him, the firelight playing on her face. And then, without seeming to risk another word, quickly walked away.  

Chapter Text

Azrael strode into the square. It was bustling with cherubim in bright, colorful togas, many of them playing lawn games or lying out on picnic blankets, enjoying meals of game meat and ambrosia. Others immersed themselves in worship—down on their knees, hands bent toward the tower in prayer.

Azrael sauntered through, briefly taking in the sights before focusing on her target. She had heard that there was a superior craftswoman, someone known as “Rachael,” who could make weapons of the finest quality. Knives, to be precise. Azrael had always been passionate about weapons. Of course, she had never met anyone, let alone a cherub, who produced work as fine as hers. Still, she was curious, mostly because she’d also heard this “Rachael” was quite beautiful—famous for deep, golden skin and piercing green eyes. A warrior craftsman that looked like that? She’d need to investigate.

She made her way past the throngs of cherubim sauntering back from market. The place was a buzz of activity. Though it was Saturday, the day of rest, shopping was allowed—or so the cherubim elders had recently decided. Azrael’s father had never been big on specifics, and it was usually up to everyone else to figure out what exactly his rules meant. The new decree had given the place a lively, vibrant atmosphere. Everyone seemed excited to be out and about. Near a fountain, Azrael noticed a young cherub, chatting up a ditsy looking blonde in a toga that barely stretched past her thighs. Without meaning to, Azrael’s mind wandered to Lucifer. She’d barely seen him in weeks. He’d been… occupied. With what, she could easily guess. She could only hope that she was wrong.

After passing the square, Azrael began down the long road that led toward market. It was lined with elaborate topiary shrubs, carved into figures of cherubim, pegasi and even a few awkward likenesses of her siblings. As the market drew closer, she began to pass more and more tables and impromptu stalls that had spilled out of the main market, filling the surrounding streets.

Before reaching the main market, she turned down a small alley. Azrael had been down it before. It had a narrow, tightened feel to it, and wound through tall buildings. Somehow, this particular alley had always felt strange to Azrael. It felt darker, more mysterious than the rest of the Silver City, which always seemed bright, clean, organized. Simple. She walked along, down to the familiar weapons shop. She’d been there many times before, but had never met Rachel. Apparently she was a new edition.

As Azrael entered the small store, she was surprised to find someone else inside, aside from the white-haired cherub who usually manned the place. This new person was facing away from her, but she could see that he was tall, with short, dark hair, a strong build and a slight, stiff upward tilt in his right shoulder…

Aw shit, Azrael thought.  

He spun around.

“Hello, Michael…” Azrael groaned.

“Well, hello Azrael,” Michael said, smiling broadly. Despite his apparent warmth, Azrael couldn’t help but shiver. There was always something unnerving about his smile. It seemed to radiate fear.

“Fancy meeting you here,” he said, with a bit too much enthusiasm. “I guess I shouldn’t be surprised though. You and your weapons obsession…” He gave a slight laugh, shaking his head.

Azrael smirked. “What are you doing here, Michael? And does it really necessitate us speaking to each other? Can’t we go back to ignoring each other like we normally do?”

Michael sighed. “I suppose, but then, sometimes I wonder, is it really so hard to be nice to each other?” He grinned again.

Azrael didn’t answer. She turned her back, opting instead to carefully stare at the array of swords hanging on the far wall.

“Oh Azi,” Michael sighed, finally letting his smile fade a bit. “The truth is I actually hoped I’d find you here.”

Azrael finally turned, shooting him a suspicious glance. “Is that so?”

“Mhmm.” He picked up a long blade off the wall, sliding it absentmindedly in his palm, as though testing its grip. “There’s something I wanted to discuss with you.”

Azrael didn’t answer, only shifting her gaze away from him again.   

“I was curious,” Michael continued, still staring down at the sword. “I know I only pass you in the palace hallways from time to time, not long enough to really get a sense of what’s going on with you…” He paused, lifting the sharpened blade up to the light and watching it gleam. “But lately, I’ve caught a whiff of an unfamiliar scent coming off you.” His tone lowered. “Something I don’t usually associate with the angel of destruction…” Suddenly he swung the sword, letting it swish through the air in a rapid parley, stepping forward and pausing with his face mere inches from Azrael’s—only the blade between them. “Fear,” he said simply, looking her dead in the eye.

Azrael swallowed. Shit… she thought. Shit, shit, shit! She knew where this was going.

Michael laughed. “Oh Azrael,” he said, with feigned pity. “The fear is written all over you!”

Azrael bit her lip. No way… she thought. No matter what he said or did, she would not tell him anything.

“I’m only concerned for your peace of mind!” he continued. “Let me help. I know you’re dying to get it off your chest.” He looked her in the eye. “What do you truly fear, sister?”

“Nice try, Michael,” she smirked. “But I’m no cherub and I certainly don’t trust you. If Rachael’s not here I’ll be back later. Where are the shopkeepers anyway?”

Michael shrugged. “Don’t know. Was empty when I came in.”

“Well, I’ll be going then. Hopefully we can avoid another conversation like this for the next couple decades.” She turned to go. “Have a nice life, Michael.”

She was about to step outside—

“Does it have something to do with Lucifer…?” Michael asked with thoughtful curiosity.

Azrael froze in front of the doorway. She knew she ought to just keep going, to leave without another word. She was almost free. And yet… whenever she talked to Michael, it was as if all her fears were amplified, swirling around her in a vortex of dread. Somehow, it felt as though calling them out and naming them were the only thing that could bring relief, the only hope of escape.

“I’ve noticed he hasn’t been around the palace much these days…” Michael went on. “Even his usual pall Jophiel hasn’t seen him lately…”

Azrael didn’t move. She stood stiffly, silently.

Michael stepped around, blocking her exit. “Come on, dear sister. I’m right, aren’t I?” He paused. “What’s going on with my twin?”

Azrael swallowed.

“You’re worried about him, aren’t you? Let me take some of the burden off of you,” he continued. “I know you always think of yourself as the big sis, responsible for all us younger ones. But you don’t always have to be so strong. Tell me: is he… in some kind of trouble?”

She avoided her gaze, lowering her eyes.

“Or… is he doing something that’s going to get him in trouble?”

Suddenly, her eyes shot back up, meeting Michael’s—the fear and recognition clearly plastered on her face.   

Michael grinned, a satisfied light coming into his eyes. “Interesting…” he said, with a slight laugh. “In trouble for what, I wonder…” He stared hard at her. “What has my dear brother gotten into to this time?”

“Outa my way!!” Azrael yelled, shoving Michael aside with all her might, before running out the shop door.

Behind her, she could hear him let out a deep, guttural laugh, before shouting, “That’s alright, sis! You’ve told me quite enough!”

It wasn’t until she was already a good distance down the street that she stopped to catch her breath.

Guilt came over her. Michael, of course, would not rest until he’d found out everything.

Chapter Text

Lucifer bolted upright, forehead dripping with sweat. Anxiously he scanned the room, squinting to make out the darkened shapes surrounding him. As recognition came, he let out a groan, collapsing back down onto his pillow.

He couldn’t go on like this.

Ever since that evening in the garden—the time he’d almost… the time Eve had suddenly left—he hadn’t been sleeping well. Despite his best efforts to ignore the issue—getting sloshed night after night, enticing all the cherub partners who tickled his fancy (and even some who, truth be told, did not), attending every party the Silver City had to offer—Eve and the garden had continued to force their way to the forefront of his mind, much to his chagrin.

He hadn’t been back to the garden since that night. He was giving Eve some space, he told himself. Of course, the reality was so painfully obvious, even he had trouble pretending otherwise: he didn’t trust himself.

When he’d been in the garden, sitting next to Eve, her nearly naked body pressed against him, lips mere inches from his face, of course he’d thought it a good idea to fornicate with his father’s creation. Kissing her had seemed desirable… if not inevitable. But with a stiff drink and a little bit of space, he could see things much more clearly. He would have lost everything. Would it have been worth it? For a brief moment of pleasure? Eve was beautiful, to be sure. Bright and full of desire. Filled with a penchant for freedom that he deeply admired. But she was just a woman. A human woman.

He would keep his promise to his sister. He would not go back to the garden, at least… not for a while.  

Then the dreams started. Every night, it was the same: the ebony head lying peacefully on his shoulder, breath against his cheek, red lips resting near his, waiting... He’d wake up, fully erect and drenched in sweat, somehow giddy and anxious all at the same time. He could never fall back asleep.

Something had to give.

“Jophiel, what do you do when you don’t want to desire something?” he’d asked his brother one night at a party. They were standing on the mezzanine above a large ballroom, watching the dancers below.

Jophiel stared at him with surprise. “Are you actually trying to restrain yourself?”

“Perhaps,” Lucifer admitted. “I’ve been trying to avoid something.” 

“Well, there’s your problem!” Jophiel said with confidence. “You of all angels should know that resisting your desires only makes you want them more.”

“But this is one I can’t give in to, Joph. I refuse…”

“I didn’t say give in. Just don’t avoid it. Take Marinadel, for example. When I’m not around her, I remember her as being smokin’ hott. But when I’m actually with her?” He motioned down to the dance floor, pointing at a brunette with pink, puffy cheeks. “I can see she’s only an eight at best.”

Lucifer didn’t respond. Lost in thought, he gazed down at the dancers.

Maybe his slightly dim-witted brother did have a point. Perhaps forcing himself to stay away only made things worse. Made the thing even more tempting—even more painful to resist. He sighed, placing his head in his hands, letting his elbows fall onto the railing.

He could try going back, he supposed. In any case, he had to do something.     

Still, he waited until their regular time, heading out at noon the next day. As he made his landing by the pool, he was surprised to see her, sitting on her the rock, just as she always was, almost as if she… hearing his step she turned, revealing the deep green of the fig leaves clinging to her chest. She was waiting for him.  

Her face seemed to light up as she saw him, but was soon overcome by… anger? She jumped off the rock and ran to him.

“Where have you been?” she demanded.

Lucifer attempted to work his mouth. “I…”

“I thought you were never coming back!” she cried. Behind the frustration, there was a slightly wounded quality to her voice. Still, she firmly held his gaze.

This time, Lucifer didn’t try to answer.

“Well, it doesn’t matter now,” she said quickly. “I’ve made a decision.”

At this, Lucifer froze. He searched her face. What decision? he thought, anxiously.

“I’ve decided… that we should try the conjuring mushrooms next.”

Lucifer felt his muscles relax. He let out a breath.

“They really are one of the most fun things in the garden,” Eve continued with a smile. “That’s why I’ve been saving them.”

Somehow, Lucifer sensed a bit of a twinkle in her eye, as if there were something she wasn’t saying. But he shrugged it off. He was relieved to see their relationship back to normal, or at least their approximation of normal—enjoying all the experiences the garden had to offer. He had missed it.

Suddenly, she reached out, grabbing hold of his wrist and pulling him along. A bit taken aback, he followed nevertheless.

She led him down a narrow path—one he realized they’d never been down before. Quickly, they zigzagged through the dense foliage, forced now and then to avoid a large fern or felled tree that obstructed their way. Somehow, Lucifer felt that the trees seemed to be getting closer together, denser, to the point that they covered the sky in a thick canopy. As the forest became eerily dark, he couldn’t help but feel vaguely uneasy. But Eve moved swiftly onward, hardly looking back. She was quiet, Lucifer noted. Not her typical, chatty self. “Eve…” he said slowly. “Where exactly are we headed?”

She glanced back at him quickly, flashing a light smile. “You’ll see,” she said.

He wasn’t sure if that made him feel any better as the path seemed to round a corner. Suddenly, the forest opened up. Trees dispersed, revealing a huge clearing, with only a few tall trunks scattered throughout the space. Yet, somehow the dense canopy remained, penetrated only by intermittent streams of speckled light, accenting bits of forest floor like spotlights on a stage. Visible within these was a bed of dark green moss, and what looked like hundreds of thousands of perfectly shiny, white mushrooms, the size of large grapes, looking perkily up toward the leaves.

Lucifer stared. “It’s… magnificent,” he said, slowly.

Eve regarded him with amusement. “I love how you see things,” she said with a giggle. Then she hopped over a large rock, running out into the clearing.

For a moment Lucifer stayed on the path, watching as she knelt down in a stream of light and combed over the mushrooms—her long black hair falling delicately over her naked back, her flawless, milky-white skin almost sparkling as it reflected heaven’s light. Lucifer shook his head. No, he told himself. He would not think like that.

Finally, she stood up, looking carefully over a handful of mushrooms she’d collected, tossing some back on the ground with disapproval. As she worked, he too jumped over the rock and walked over to her, gazing at her collection with bewilderment. Whatever criteria she was using, he couldn’t understand it. They all looked completely the same to him.

“Here,” she said, finally holding the handful out to him.

As he let them fall into his open palms, Lucifer stared in surprise. Up close he could see that they gave off a slight, blue-green shimmer. They were glowing.

He looked up at Eve. “What… what do I do with these?” he asked.

She laughed. “You eat them, silly.”

He looked back down at them, their greenish hue bouncing off his fingers. He wanted to trust her. But… he turned back to her. There was that gleam in her eye.

“Don’t worry! It’s fun!” she said, cheerily. “I want to see what it’s like for you to do it for the first time. Completely fresh!”

He sighed. He knew how much that meant to her. He didn’t want to disappoint. He picked one out of the bunch, lifting it to his lips.

“But wait for me!” she said, quickly. “I need to get mine…” She knelt down, scanning the forest floor.

Somehow it made him feel a bit better knowing she’d be eating them too.

After a minute or two of scrounging, she stood up. “Okay. You ready?” She smiled at him, then lifted the entire handful up to her lips.

He returned an uncomfortable smile, but followed her lead. As he placed them in his mouth, Lucifer thought he saw the slight glint in Eve’s eyes return. What was she hiding? he wondered. But his thoughts quickly turned to the taste—a soft lightness that seemed to melt into oblivion as he moved them over his tongue. It tasted like… clouds.

He swallowed. Then stood, frozen. Several second passed.

“Is something supposed to happen?” He asked, finding his voice surprisingly high. “You made it seem like something would happen…”

Eve giggled. “It takes longer than that! Come on. Lie in the moss with me.” She took his hand and flopped down on the velvety green bed. Lucifer followed, taking a seat next to her, watching as she lay, unabashedly spreading her arms and legs open wide like a starfish. Quickly, he averted his gaze.

Thinking that the angle would probably be safer, he lay down next to her, keeping hold of her hand but extending his arm out just as she had, careful to lie as far from her as possible. He knew he should probably just let go. But… he didn’t want to.    

He felt her weave her fingers through his. Without thinking, he ran his thumb softly against the back of her hand.

He waited. He felt a growing knot in his stomach as he lay, feeling… nervous? Excited? He had a strong sense that something was about to happen. Something big. A twinge of nausea passed over him, and he anxiously looked over at Eve. She was staring up at the trees, but sensing his eyes on her, she bent her gaze to look at him. She was smiling. Lucifer stared back at her, surprised. In all the hours they’d spent together, he’d never seen her smile like that. The mischievous look was gone, and instead she was beaming, her eyes seeming to sparkle. It was a look of pure, heartfelt joy.

Suddenly he too felt… light. Lighter than he had felt in a long time. As long as he could remember. He didn’t know why. Gradually, the nausea in his stomach started to melt. It was as though he no longer had any room for it, or for anything painful, for that matter. He stared up at the scattered light, trickling its way through the leaves. It was so delicate. So beautiful. The way it seemed to dance, playfully darting across his field of vision—flitting through the dark, lush green of the canopy. It felt so alive, so free. As he took in the view, he couldn’t help but let a bright smile form on his lips.  

He looked back at Eve. He was surprised to meet her gaze, still watching him. She was looking him over, her beautiful eyes tracing his, gazing at them with such delight, such affection, such… warmth.

Suddenly, he felt his heart swell. His lips stretched with glee, seeming to penetrate the normal confines of his face. A wild, dizzying pleasure came over him. It was as though this feeling in his chest, this joy, had suddenly exploded, transforming itself into an abounding, euphoric bliss that pulsated throughout his entire being. He shut his eyes tightly, trying to savor it, almost afraid it might burst out and leave him. Unconsciously, he let out a gasp.  

With his eyes closed, he felt as if he were floating. He was so light, he wondered if he were hovering above the ground. All at once, he was acutely aware of how heavy he normally felt. The things that usually weighed on him—his father’s abandonment, competition between his siblings, his parents’ fighting—like magic, all that had been lifted, dissipating like a mirage. None of it was part of him now. It had all left him, leaving him totally unburdened. Free. Underneath his clenched eyelids, he felt his eyes moisten slightly. He was overwhelmed with gratitude. With love.

Love. Yes! That’s what he was feeling. His breath quickened as the realization hit him. This wasn’t joy at all. It was something much more powerful, more beautiful than that. It was love. Pure love. He was filled with it—rushing through his veins, flooding his insides with untold ecstasy. His eyes shot open. He stared up at the dancing light, the blue of the sky peeking through the trees, the warmth of the tree trunks shooting up all around him. His heart ached for it. All of it. Desperately.

Life. Existence. Even pain. Suffering. He suddenly knew how beautiful it all was. How rich. How full of harmony. Everything his father had created. Even his fath— He caught himself. Did he? But… yes. He did. He felt it. Deep within his chest. From the core of his being. He loved him. Missed him. Desperately wanted to see him. To talk to him. To tell him how much he meant to him. To be close to him. To hear his voice…   

Suddenly he heard Eve speak. “You feel it too, don’t you?” she said with a smile.

He didn’t know why, but at that, the feeling seemed to really explode, shaking his frame with shivers of pure elation. He gripped Eve’s hand tighter, longing to feel her, to be as close to her as possible. He looked at her. She was so beautiful. So breathtakingly beautiful. Her large eyes glowing with happiness. With innocence. With… freedom. Despite her trapped state, she was the freest being he knew. More than the cherubim, more than even his siblings. She had made herself free. Through sheer will. He wanted to tell her. To make her see how amazing she was. How beautiful. How worthy of love. Because… He loved her. It was undeniable now. He could feel it, radiating through his body, filling every inch of him as he looked deep into her soulful, dark eyes. Love. Urgently, he searched them, looking for a sign. Hoping against hope that… Yes! It was there! He could see it now, so plainly. In the unrestrained warmth, that inexplicable tenderness with which she looked at him. Why had he never recognized it before? Why had he failed to see? She loved him. Had always loved him. Loved him dearly. It was all so clear to him now.

His head was spinning. Eve rolled on her side, moving closer to him. She stared at his face, eyes still jubilant, beaming with compassion, with… love. He returned her gaze.

“Eve…” he whispered, desperation in his voice.

Her eyes seemed to laugh at him, if only a little, as she heard him speak. “Oh, Lucifer,” she said softly, her voice breathy. “I knew you’d love it.”

He exhaled, barely able to contain his joy.

Without hesitation, she moved closer to him, pressing herself up against his side. Looking down, he could see the naked stretch of skin so close to him, flush against his body—nothing but his own clothes and leaves between them. He inhaled. Involuntarily, he too turned toward her, as close as he could, their faces nearly touching. His torso sought out hers, for an instant pushing itself against the warmth of her frame, unconcerned if she could feel his growing hardness. As he did so, a barely audible moan escaped his lips.

She took his shoulders in her hands and, leaning above him, laid him on his back. Holding his gaze, she pressed her soft, leaf-covered chest onto his. All the meanwhile, she was staring at him, deeply. With those eyes. Those big, dark beautiful eyes he had always been so drawn to. So full of passion. And desire. So much desire.

“Lucifer…” she whispered, desperation in her own voice now. She leaned her head toward him, so that her lips were nearly grazing his own. There was no longer any question. He knew she wanted him. The look in her eyes had turned to pure lust. Need. He knew his own eyes must be brimming with it.

“This is what I wanted,” she breathed, each word teeming with want. “This was what I decided while you were away. Forget Adam,” she cried, excitement building in her voice. “Forget your father! Forget what others want! Let’s live. Let’s live for us!” And with that, she lifted his head off the ground and placed her soft, red lips onto his.

As they made contact, a bolt of energy shot through him. And yet, somehow, through his desire, through the boundless euphoria coursing through his body, her words echoed in his mind like a steady, ominous drum beat: “Forget your father… forget your father… forget your father…” Suddenly, something inside him, something deeply instinctual, was crying out, screaming at him to stop. All of a sudden he couldn’t breathe. He was choking. Gasping for air. He couldn’t… he couldn’t… NO!

Without realizing what he was doing, he found himself shoving at Eve’s chest, kicking, squirming, struggling underneath her as though fending off an attacker. And yet, she remained on top of him, frozen, her weight pressing distressingly on his chest. Finally, an elbow shot up, ramming into her shoulder with such angelic force that her body made a large thud as it hit the ground. For a moment she lay, crumpled on the dirt and moss, unmoving. Lucifer too, remained immobilized, coughing and sputtering on his back, before finally staggering to his feet. Then he simply stood, hunched over, hands on knees, frantically sucking in air.  

After a beat, Eve was finally able to sit up. She looked at him, face blank.

Having managed a few deeper breaths, he turned and glanced at her. Meeting her eyes, a pang of guilt shot through him. He averted his gaze. Now able to breathe, his breath seemed to immediately transition from long, gasping inhales to fast, shallow pants. The trees around him started to spin.  

After a minute or two of vacantly staring, tears came into Eve’s eyes. “I… I don’t understand…” she stuttered.

“I… I’m sorry. It’s just… I just… I can’t do this!!!” Lucifer cried as though in response, yet his stare was directed up toward the tree tops.  

Eve looked at him for a moment, then shook her head, still at a loss. “I… I thought you wanted this…” she mumbled.

“I did,” he said, finally holding her gaze for a moment. “I do. It’s just… I can’t.”

She turned back to him, looking at him directly. “But why??” she cried. Her voice was high, almost pleading.

Lucifer’s head was still spinning. The nausea had returned, along with… a headache? He felt a steady throbbing at his temples. He knew she deserved an answer. But he couldn’t think. “I… promised my sister…” he finally managed to get out.

Eve looked at him with confusion. “You… what?” she asked.

“She…she was worried Dad would smite me…” he muttered through the throbbing in his temples.

At that, Eve’s face hardened. She stood up. “This… this is all because you’re still afraid of your father??” she asked, her voice thick with indignation.

Lucifer didn’t answer. He brought a hand to his temple.  

She took a step stiffly toward him, anger seeping into her eyes. “You’re too afraid to follow your desires??”

Lucifer remained silent. He didn’t move.

“You… you!” she stuttered, as though too frustrated to find the words. “You want to be your own man,” she finally spat, her voice shaking. “But you’re not one!! You’re a child!!” Her eyes glistened with fury. “A COWARD!!!!”   

The rhythmic hammering in his head was getting louder, the pressure mounting, as though threatening to explode. Again, he felt a weight on his chest as if something were on top of him, smothering him. “NO!” he suddenly roared.

She looked at him. She didn’t answer.

“No,” he said again, quieter this time. “I’m not afraid of him!! I’m afraid…” Suddenly, a stillness came over him. All at once he felt extremely sober. Despite the mushrooms, the pounding at his temples, everything seemed… clear. “I’m afraid of losing him.”

Eve stared. Her eyes were sorrowful, drained. He met them, earnestly. “If I do this—if I sleep with his creation—he might… he might never forgive me. I could lose him forever.”

Eve was silent. She seemed to take in his words slowly. Soon, though, bitter frustration returned to her face and she took another step toward him, tears starting to build. “But… you’ve already lost him,” she whispered. He could see all the pent-up desire, the frustration brimming in her eyes as they began to pour over, tears flowing down her cheeks. “He’s been up in that tower for eighty years. Eighty years. What are you waiting for!? He’s never coming back!!”

At this, a panicky resistance bubbled up in Lucifer’s chest, as if something inside him were a cornered creature, forced to retaliate. He stared at her wild-eyed, lips hardening, breath returning to thin, ragged pants. “HE’S COMING BACK!!!!” he suddenly screamed at the top of his lungs.  

And then, without waiting for Eve’s reaction, without really realizing what he was doing, he felt himself unfurl his wings, shooting up into the air, frantically flapping with every ounce of strength he had. He was desperate to get out of there, to be as far away from Eve and the garden as he could possibly get.

He needed to be alone.

As he made his way toward the clouds, he was much too distracted to notice the tiny figure hunched below, just beyond the garden walls, making a vague, half-hearted attempt to conceal himself behind a tree.

When he saw Lucifer moving up and over the gates, a victorious grin spread across Michael’s face. This was too easy, he thought.

Chapter Text

Lucifer finally managed to open his eyes. He blinked a few times before the familiar objects of his chamber—his bookshelf, desk, nightstand—bathed in the bright light streaming through his curtains, finally came into focus. He lifted a hand to his temple, a slight pulse throbbing against his fingers. He needed a drink.

Since leaving Eve in the garden, the days had passed as little more than a blur. And yet, some things were unavoidably clear: the burning sensation that would come into his chest, unbidden at random intervals—leaving him feeling hollow and empty. The disquieting flashes of memory: Eve’s wounded, hurt eyes. The humiliating words he had spoken: “I’m afraid of losing him…” And Eve’s characterization of him: “A coward.” “A child.” The memories seemed to dig into him, opening him up like an old wound that had never healed, festering and putrid.

He held his head in his hands, the throbbing getting worse. Outside he could hear some of his siblings arguing loudly about something. As to what, he didn’t know, but that it was trivial and stupid seemed clear enough. He needed to get out of there. Quickly, he got dressed.

***

Lucifer walked out the palace gates, through the front garden, past brightly colored flowers and deep green grass. He didn’t really notice any of it. Instead, his gaze remained fixed upwards, on the tallest of the palace spires, towards the tip that would forever be invisible, submerged in a haze of clouds. The perfect place to be alone.

He continued along the path, turning a corner, only then tracing the vertical line down to the stone walkway. His eyes widened with surprise as they fell on the tall, dark the figure leaning against its base. It was slightly crooked, angled to one side. “Aw shit,” Lucifer muttered.  

Michael seemed to hear him. Upon registering his brother’s presence, a slight, satisfied smile spread over his lips.

“What are you doing here?” Lucifer grumbled.

“Am I not allowed to be here?” Michael asked, with feigned offense.

Lucifer merely turned his head, unwilling to answer. He had no patience right now for dealing with Michael.

Perhaps sensing his brother’s mood, Michael’s smile faded somewhat, his expression turning serious. “I come here sometimes to think…”

Lucifer groaned. “I come here sometimes to think.”  

There was a slight pause as Michael stared up toward the top of the spire, hidden in a sea of clouds. “Remember… when we both used to come here?” he asked. There was a rare, sincere quality to his voice.

It took Lucifer by surprise. “Vaguely,” he muttered, looking away.

For a moment, a flutter of something flashed through Michael’s eyes.

“Well,” Lucifer continued, anxious to bring the conversation to a close. “I suppose this place of tranquil contemplation has been permanently ruined by your presence… I’ll take myself elsewhere.”

He turned to leave.

“Oh, by the way,” he suddenly heard Michael say. “How’s Reginia?”

The words fell irritatingly on Lucifer’s ears. He found himself stopping mid-step and turning back to face his brother. “What??” he asked.

“I heard you and Azrael were hitting on her and Janicel the other night.”

“How do you know about that?” Lucifer growled.

Michael smiled, knowingly. “Oh, word gets around.”  

“Well, you’d better check with your sources since that wasn’t the other night, that was weeks ago,” he said with a smirk. “And in any case, what do you care?”

Michael shrugged. “Oh, I just thought it was interesting, that’s all…”

“Right,” Lucifer answered. “Well… as much as I would like to indulge your curiosity as to my sexual exploits, I think I must be…”  

“You failed, didn’t you?”

“Failed what?”

“Failed to get her into bed.”

Lucifer stared back at him. “I didn’t fail.”

“Did she sleep with you?”

Lucifer went silent.

The knowing smile returned to Michael’s lips. “I knew you wouldn’t,” he said proudly. “No way you could get someone like her.”  

The indignance on Lucifer’s face was palpable. He took a step towards Michael. “Do you know who you are talking to??” he bellowed.

Michael rolled his eyes.

“I can get anyone!”

“Not anyone. Not her.”

“What? Why?” Lucifer snorted. “Some lowly cherub?? What’s so special about her?”

Michael gave a slight shrug. “She’s extremely talented. Politically savvy.”

Lucifer let out a laugh. “You have a thing for her or something? What does any of that matter??” he scoffed. “Of course I can get her!”

Michael shook his head. “You’re so naïve… you don’t even get it.” He looked at Lucifer seriously, meeting his eyes. “You can but Dad won’t let you.”

Lucifer’s face went blank. “It doesn’t matter what he ‘let’s’ me do,” he snarled.     

“Right…” Michael shook his head. “You’re so obsessed with freedom you can’t even see it.”

Lucifer stared back at him, his eyes a silent question.

Michael’s lips parted into a grin. “He controls everything.”

For a moment, Lucifer didn’t respond, seeming to take in his words. “I do what I want…” he finally whispered. “It’s my choice.”

“Sure. You make the choice in that moment. But that doesn’t mean much if Dad has already stacked the deck to the point that there’s only one choice you can reasonably make… That there’s only one choice truly possible.”

Lucifer looked back at his brother, his face completely frozen.

Michael continued. “Reginia’s one of the top contenders to run the pearly gates next year. Dad doesn’t want the girl to think she’s going to get some special treatment by sleeping with a son of God. He wants her to be in charge but doesn’t want to send the wrong message. Of course he would stop you from sleeping with her.”

“How?” The word seemed to fall involuntarily from Lucifer’s lips.

Michael cocked his head. “I don’t know. Did she somehow manage to trip and fall on some mysteriously placed object on the way to your bedroom? Or…” he paused thoughtfully. “Did she get too drunk to sleep with you?”

Lucifer’s face flashed immediate recognition.

Michael’s knowing smile returned. He looked his brother dead in the eye. “She didn’t even drink that much, did she?”

Lucifer let his eyes wander to the ground.

Michael nodded. “You know, Dad can change the potency of any wine in the Silver City. He does it a lot.” He looked back up at the clouds, reminiscing. “Remember when Jophiel was small and got into Dad’s liquor cabinet?” He chuckled. “He ran around, falling over himself for about ten minutes, then immediately passed out. You remember, don’t you?”

Lucifer gave a slight, cautious nod.

“And do you know how much he actually drank that day? A sip. A sip! Even for a fledgling that wouldn’t be enough to do all that.” Michael shook his head. “Dad made it stronger. After he’d already drunken it, he made it stronger. To teach him a lesson.”

Lucifer simply stared back at Michael, carefully searching his face. “How do you know this?” he finally asked, his voice low.

“About Jophiel? Dad told me! Told us both. Said if either of us touched his booze again, he’d make it so strong we’d pass out for a thousand years…” Michael rolled his eyes. “‘A fitting punishment!’ he said. But that’s Dad for you.” He smirked.   

“You were there… too?”

“Yeah. We actually opened the cabinet together. I was planning on taking the next sip…” He sighed.  

Lucifer stared at his brother for a long time, his eyes questioning. Soon they turned hard. “You’re lying.”

“Why would I lie? If you don’t believe me, ask Jophiel.”

Lucifer’s breath quickened. “Fine. But how do you know Dad would forbid me from sleeping with Reginia!?” He suddenly again found himself shouting. “How do you know that?? Did he send down a personal decree?? Did he speak to you in your dreams? Did he send you a carrier pigeon?” Lucifer shook his head, incredulous. “And if I’m the one that’s supposed to be forbidden from doing it, if it’s about me, then… then why didn’t he bother to tell ME!!?” he yelled, spittle flying from his lips.

“Why bother to tell you,” Michael said with a merciless smile, “when he can just control you?”

Lucifer again went silent, his nostrils flaring.

“Everyone knows Reginia wants to run the pearly gates,” Michael continued calmly. “Dad’s favored her with high positions in the past. And there was a decree from Father early on about cherubim in official positions being forbidden to sleep with Archon. Of course, at the time, we were all fledglings and no one really took notice. But I suppose it carries more weight now…”

Lucifer’s face was frozen in a look of confusion mixed with horror.  

Michael leaned his head against the palm of his hand. “If you ask me, Dad was protecting you. You’re not always the brightest when it comes to city politics, you know.”

“Protecting me… Protecting me!!?” Lucifer exploded. “How… how dare he!!? How dare he take away my choice!!! My will!!!! If I want to make a mistake I should make it!!! He’s the one who is always going on about free will!! What does it even mean!!?” He was breathing fast, stepping back and forth, sweat beaded on his forehead. It couldn’t be, he thought. Abruptly, he halted mid-step, turning back to Michael. “You… you don’t know what you’re talking about!!!” he shouted. “You’re making all of this up!!!”

Michael raised an eyebrow. “I told you. Ask Jophiel about the wine. Or a cherub elder about Dad’s decree. None of this is a secret.”

Suddenly, Lucifer paused, his eyes shifting as a thought seemed to take shape.

“Reginia…” he whispered.

“What?” Michael asked, full of curiosity. “What about her?”  

But Lucifer didn’t answer. He simply spread his wings, and launched into the air.

***

Lucifer burst into the foyer he’d seen several weeks before, past the pair of servants who paused to bow to him, their eyes widening, then turning to panic as he pushed between them, unconcerned about being announced. His eyes darted beyond the white marble columns, yelling at the top of his lungs, “Reginia!!!”

When no one answered, he scrambled further into the cherub’s home, through the empty banquet hall, until he came across a long hallway, shooting off to the right. He quickly made his way down it, fervently checking all the doors. “REGINIA!!!!!” he called again.    

“Lucifer…?”

Miraculously, out of one the many doors lining the hallway, the familiar figure stepped out, her long, red hair trailing down her back. 

“Reginia!” Lucifer marched toward her. Despite the ruckus he had caused, she somehow seemed to be the only one in the house who had responded to his shouting.

She stared up at him, her face full of confusion. “Lucifer… what are you doing here?”

He reached up, grabbing her tightly by the shoulders and staring intently into her eyes. “Reginia,” he said, his voice low and serious. “You have to sleep with me!”

Reginia stared back at him, taking in his unfamiliar intensity, the strange absence of a smile on his lips. Finally, she ventured a nervous laugh. “Oh Lucifer,” she said. “You’re really funny.”

But the severity in Lucifer’s eyes didn’t waver.

“You’re… serious…?”

“Yes,” he said quickly.

Reginia’s face fell. She was quiet for a moment. “But… why, exactly?” she finally managed to ask.

“Because I need to KNOW!” The tension in his voice erupted. “I need to know if I can!!!”

Pained confusion fluttered through Reginia’s eyes. She looked frightened.

Lucifer picked up on it. Slowly, he loosened his grip on her shoulders, which he suddenly realized had been exceedingly tight. He looked away.

“I… shouldn’t…” he stuttered. He shook his head. “I’m… I’m sorry Reginia. I shouldn’t have come here, it’s just… I just…” His voice cracked.

At this, Reginia’s eyes softened and she reached up, taking hold of his arm. “What’s wrong, Lucifer?” she asked with genuine concern.

“Nothing. It’s nothing…” he said, taking a step back and forcing a half-smile.

Reginia’s eyes remained sympathetic. “Wow,” she said with surprise. “I’ve never seen an angel so upset before!” She smiled, half with amusement, half with kind concern. “I don’t really understand, but I’d like to help… Why don’t you come and sit in my room? I’ll get you some water.”

Lucifer didn’t respond, but allowed himself to be led through the doorway of her chamber, before being placed on the edge of an ostentatiously large bed. He didn’t look up at her or the room, instead keeping his eyes glued to the ground.

Reginia walked out, before quickly returning with a large, crystalline chalice filled with water in one hand, and a small glass jar in the other. The jar glowed red and orange. Inside, tiny flames lapped up the walls toward the metal lid, as if desperate to escape.

Reginia handed Lucifer the water. “It’s a little chilly in here, don’t you think?” she said as she removed the lid of the jar. The flames leapt out, but remained gently hovering around sides of the rim.

It was chilly. Lucifer was even crossing his arms, clutching himself for warmth. But he was too distraught to register the fact, or how unusual it was. It was never chilly in the Silver City.

Reginia thrust the jar toward a stone fireplace that sat in the corner—causing the flames to immediately rush toward the wood, igniting it instantly. Then she put the jar down on a bedside table. It sat, nearly empty, aside from a slight flicker of light that shown near the bottom.

Reginia turned from the jar, focusing instead on Lucifer, gazing at him with warm concern. He was still looking at the ground, but now his eyes were nearly closed, almost as though he were wincing.

Reginia sat next to him. Placing her hands on his shoulders, she gently turned him so that he was facing away from her, then began softly massaging his back. She smiled. “This should help you relax…” she said, as she pressed her thumbs into his shoulder blades.

Lucifer’s eyes remained closed. Aside from a slight tremble, he barely seemed to register her touch.

“It’s funny, I ought to be flattered,” she said with a giggle. “You busting in here, demanding to sleep with me.”

Lucifer didn’t answer. Reginia began working the muscles near the base of his neck.

“You know…” she said, her smile turning mischievous. She leaned forward, her lips up close to his ear, her voice a breathy whisper. “I’m not entirely opposed.”

At that, Lucifer’s eyes opened wide. They stared out blankly, then narrowed as realization hit. She wants to, he thought. Maybe… maybe he’d get an answer?

“Oh…?” he asked. There was a smile in his voice, but his expression remained vigilant. Even as he leaned back into her hands, softly resting his cheek against hers, his gaze remained fixed on the closed door, his heart racing. What would happen?   

Only when she began to nuzzle into his neck, planting small kisses down towards his collarbone, did he start to relax a little, his eyelids drooping into a daze-like expression.

And then, all at once, they shot back open.

“What’s that smell!?” he asked, bolting upright.

Reginia pulled away. They both turned toward the corner, their eyes immediately resting on one of her window curtains. It was completely engulfed in flames—large, threatening ones, rising enthusiastically toward the ceiling.

The jar, sitting innocently below on the bedside table, was now completely empty.

Reginia let out a high-pitched scream. She leaped up, running to the curtain. Pulling it down, she jumped on top of it, trying frantically to stamp out the blaze.  

Lucifer, for his part, did absolutely nothing. He simply sat there, frozen, watching as the flames rose higher.

In his 180 years of existence, he had never before seen an accidental fire in the Silver City.

Through panting, shortened breaths, Reginia managed, “I… I don’t know what happened…”

Lucifer stared first at her, then back at the remaining embers. He felt his chest tighten, a painful, saddened ache shooting through him. The feeling quickly turned however, morphing into molten anger.

“I guess… I left it too close to the curtains…” she said, once the flames had been mostly extinguished.

Lucifer didn’t answer. He rose. His face was dark. Unknowingly, his hands had clenched themselves into tight fists.  

“Don’t blame yourself,” he whispered.

And with that, he quickly walked out.

***

Once Lucifer got outside, he immediately took to the air, flying as high as he could manage. He had no idea where he was going, and yet the rage pulsing through his veins demanded that he move.

As he pierced through the white expanse of clouds, the image of his father stayed firmly, painfully etched in his consciousness. Ever since he could remember, he had talked about free will. How he had gifted it, willingly, to all his children. It was a never-ending source of pride for him. After all, what other divine being would cede such power, such freedom, to all his creations? Only one filled with profound wisdom and benevolence, no doubt. And Lucifer had always believed him—had taken it to heart. Of all the gifts he’d received from his father, it was this one that meant the most to him.          

And yet… it had all been a lie. A technicality. What good was free will, if everything was preordained? If all the situations where one could make a choice were already completely manipulated?

Wine becoming stronger? Curtains catching fire? Lucifer seethed with fury. Such minute, detailed changes—it boggled his mind. He had never really understood, never fully comprehended the lengths his father was willing to go. To constrain him. To assert control. He’d had his suspicions, of course. A vague feeling. A strange sense that he couldn’t quite put his finger on. But that was nothing to compared to what he had now: proof. He let out a tired, bitter breath. What else had his father done? In what other ways had he forced his hand? Lucifer could only guess. And that was the scariest thing of all. How much of his life was truly his own?    

He flew around in circles for a long time, until the anger dissipated enough that he was able to consider a course of action. He wanted, needed to get back at him. To spite him. He tried to think of a choice that his father would never suspect. One that could only be his own.

And just like that, it came to him.

Both Eve and Reginia had been off-limits. And yet, with Eve, no burning curtains or other obvious calamities had ever interrupted their exploits. Why? What was the difference between them?

Somehow, instinctively, he knew—had known since the moment he’d flown over the forbidden walls and taken his first, cleansing breath: the garden. It had felt wild, untamed. Though he hadn’t been able to put words to at the time, for the first time in his 180 years of existence, he had felt truly free.

He didn’t know how or why, but somehow, the garden was beyond his father’s reach.

Quickly, he began to make his way towards its walls.

Chapter Text

For nearly a week, Eve had been trying to decide how she felt about him. She’d alternated between blaming herself, and directing blind rage squarely at him.

At times she’d cursed herself. Why had she decided to give him the mushrooms?? Obviously they’d made him emotional. Confused him. Maybe if she’d just talked to him, asked him if he wanted her, none of this would have happened. Instead, she’d drugged him. Manipulated him. He had every right to be mad. It was her fault, really. Her fault that he was gone. Her fault that he would never come back.

But, at other times, she railed against him in her mind. What was his problem, anyway?? She had been willing to give up everything just to be with him. Willing to betray her Adam—her only partner for a hundred years. The only being who had stayed loyally by her side—who depended on her, and on whom she depended. Her own husband! And yet, Lucifer wasn’t even willing to disobey his father. His father! Who had already abandoned him! Who hadn’t even spoken to him in eighty years!! He truly was a coward. A child.

Or else… maybe he didn’t really care about her. Maybe she just wasn’t worth the risk. Whenever she thought this way, it made her furious… and a little heartbroken. In any case, she vowed to forget him. Even if he did come back, she would ignore him. She would never speak to him again.

But then… everything reminded her of him. The pool. The pebbles. The Symphony Cave and the Volcano of Bliss. All of them had taken on the feeling of his face somehow—his eyes, the low rhythm of his voice, his strange, proud way of speaking. She couldn’t look at them without seeing him, without feeling his presence. She hadn’t realized it, but over the past weeks, her life had become inexorably tied to him. He was everything that she had looked forward to. She could no longer search for pebbles, no longer enjoy sex with Adam. Those little joys had all been eclipsed by the one supreme joy of experiencing someone completely new. Who brought freshness and originality to everything he touched. Someone who she could be herself with. Who appreciated her for who she was. Who respected her for wanting more than just what was given to her.

She was thinking of all this when she dove into the pool late one afternoon, relishing the feeling of the crisp, cool water touching her skin. She lay back, floating with her body just below the surface, feeling the liquid wash over her, cleansing her, taking away the sharp sting of regret.

Lucifer sat directly above her in one of the treetops, watching.

He had planned to fly down to her, of course. But, having caught her unawares, he hadn’t been able to resist the urge to pause, if only for a moment, to savor her in her most natural state. As he watched her float along, face pointed peacefully up at the sky, arms languidly drifting through the water, the remnants of his anger seemed to fade away. She seemed so tranquil, he thought. So at ease.

And then, all of a sudden, she rose. Her torso pierced the surface, skin glistening, droplets flying off of her in a whirlwind of refracted light.

He felt his heart quicken. She… wasn’t wearing the leaves. All this time, he’d thought they hadn’t really been hiding much. He was wrong. Now the delicate, milky-white curves stared back at him, perfectly framing her soft, pinkened tips. He swallowed. He’d forgotten how beautiful they were. He stared for a long time before they abruptly disappeared, moving under the water as she playfully dove back below the surface.  

She looked so free like that. Just as she had that first day when he’d happened upon her. He remembered the feeling: being so irresistibly drawn in, sensing that she was an entirely new creature—one so much more imaginative, more full of life than any he’d ever encountered. And now… now he would have her. She wanted him. And he wanted her. Nothing would stand in their way. Father could damn himself.

And with that, he launched off the branch, determinedly diving down towards the pool.

Eve came up for breath. As her head emerged from the silence of the water, it was immediately inundated by a loud whooshing sound coming from overhead. She looked up and froze, eyes growing wide. Some 50 feet above was a rapidly growing figure, moving toward her with disquieting speed, wings beating with fast, frenzied strokes.

What was he doing here? she wondered with a slight edge of anxiety, as she made out the familiar form. And… so soon? She had thought perhaps he’d be gone forever. And yet, here he was—less than a week after having left in a passion, seemingly choosing the most dramatic of all entrances. As he got closer, she could see that he wasn’t flying with his usual grace, but was flapping with jerky, lurching movements, his chest heaving with excitement… or was it distress? She felt her stomach twist. Had something happened?

He continued to move towards her, more and more alarmingly like an arrow homing in on its target. Suddenly frightened, she cowered, raising her arms like a shield. And yet, somehow, he managed to avoid crushing her, instead landing in the water mere inches from where she stood, the force sending a fountain of spray violently shooting up all around them.

Once the splashing had settled, Eve took a moment, gradually recovering her breath. She looked at him. His clothes were dripping wet, and his momentum had set him off-balance, threatening to throw him forward into the pool. But he managed to straighten himself, and, through the rivulets of water pouring down his face, met Eve’s eyes.

Anxiously, she searched his.

Lucifer stared into them, bright and longing. He didn’t say anything, suddenly finding himself unable to speak, unable to do anything but soak her in. She was looking up at him, the ebony waves framing her face, her eyes a silent question. Abruptly it fell on him: all those weeks of watching her, desiring her, feeling as though he was being physically pulled into her orbit… they had all come down to this. He swallowed, a bit frightened by the fiery thrill flooding through his chest. Slowly, he hazarded a step toward her. She didn’t move, but remained firmly in place, so close that he could feel her body, giving off heat. His eyes traced her soft cheek, her full, entreating lips. She was so beautiful. So painfully beautiful that it made his whole body ache. How he craved her—wanted to touch her, to envelop her. She was it. His true desire. Without another thought, he reached up and grabbed her shoulders.  

“Eve…” he said, his voice reverberating with an excited, underlying fervor, “You were right. I should have listened! None of them matter! Let’s forget them! All of them! Let’s live for us!!!!”

And then, without waiting for a response, he pulled her against him, lips firmly pressed onto hers.

For a moment, he felt her body stiffen, rigid in his arms. But after a second’s hesitation, she seemed to melt, her lips weaving into his. His mind spun with the realization: he was finally tasting her. For the first time. And then, before he had time to think of anything else, he felt her reach up, grabbing the back of his neck and pressing hard against his mouth—her obvious enthusiasm sending a rush radiating through his body. He pushed back, desperate to explore the silky softness of her lips, sliding inside and tracing the surface of her tongue. He could feel her intensity as she responded, her own tongue twisting, swirling around his; her hands moving down his back, pulling at his chest, shoving it against her, as though attempting to merge it with her own, as though trying, despite his cursed clothing, to touch every part of him. 

And then, just like that, she suddenly pulled away. She didn’t move far, but enough to leave him aching, bewildered, his body unconsciously lurching toward her, lips hungry. He was breathing hard—his chest heaving with short, shallow pants. All he wanted to do was to chase back down the warmth of her mouth, but he managed to hold himself back, merely staring, dumbstruck. He swallowed.

She looked at him, leaning back slightly to take in his face, but keeping her arms around him, her hands glued to his back. The intensity he had felt from her just a moment ago had morphed, transforming into something wistful, longing. She held his gaze, silently searching his eyes, as though… looking for something. It was as if she had suddenly been overcome by a desperate need to find… an answer? An assurance? He didn’t try to ask but simply waited, watching as she scanned his face.

And then, all at once, she seemed to find it—something there, in his eyes, in him—that sent a flood of tenderness mixed with passion pouring into her expression. Suddenly, Lucifer felt self-conscious. He wasn’t quite used to being looked at that way. Awkwardly, he let his stare fall to the ground. And yet, in another instant, all he could think of was her lips, which had sprung back to him, greedily devouring his own. He shut his eyes, taking her in. He felt her hands, quickly sliding up his chest, fervently clawing at the buttons of his shirt. Realizing her intent, he moved in to help, dexterously unthreading clasps, limiting the number to just a few that she managed to tear off in her relentless haste.

Soon his shirt was off, thrown unceremoniously down into the water. She stared, mouth slightly agape, eyes roaming over the wet, shinning ripples of his chest. For a second he couldn’t help but smile. And she thought I was strange for staring, he thought.  

With eyes glued to his torso, she slowly reached for it. He watched, enjoying her mesmerized look as she moved toward him, touching him lightly, her hands gliding upward from his waist. And then he shut his eyes, feeling sparks as her fingers traced his skin, echoing their way over his ribcage, sending bursts of electricity shooting through him. As her hands circled his shoulders, she moved toward him, pressing her cheek against the bare skin of his chest. He breathed her in. Even her smell was different. Unlike any cherub he’d ever experienced. Bewitchingly… human.

With her body flush against his, he gazed down at her shoulders, suddenly taken in by the soft, pink-white of her neck. He bent toward it, slowly closing in, resting his lips on the curve of her collarbone. Softly, he kissed it. A barely audible whimper escaped her lips. At that, Lucifer’s eyes sparkled. Instinctively, he raised his mouth, letting it pass over her neck, hovering close—close enough that she would be able to feel his breath as it grazed her skin. He felt her hands tightening over his shoulder blades as he followed the arch of her neck, her even breath quickening against his temple. She wants this, he thought with a grin, before sliding behind her ear, gently resting there. He hesitated a moment, and then pressed his lips against her, relishing the feeling as she quivered in his arms.

Gradually, he began working his way down again, lips gliding tenderly, gracefully, over her chest, until, finally, he reached them. He felt himself pull back slightly, as though overcome with a kind of deferential awe. There they were. Right in front of him. The ones he’d been staring at, admiring, longing to touch. For so long. And now they rested, just at his fingertips. Waiting.   

He could feel Eve’s eyes, looking down at him. Slowly, he reached up, letting his fingers trace the delicate curves, moving along the outer contours, before sweeping underneath, his thumb lightly brushing her nipple. He heard her let out a sharp breath, but he didn’t look up. Instead, he continued to stare at his hands as they moved, as if they were somehow detached from him, as if unbelieving that they were really his fingers enveloping her, caressing her, tracing her soft, creamy whiteness. Finally, he bent back down, bringing his face level with her chest. He could still sense her gaze, watching intently as he moved, his mouth resting just above her nipple. As his lips slid over the rosy peak, he felt her back suddenly arch, pressing in towards him, her head shooting backward with zeal. He heard himself let out a moan. He wanted more.  

Quickly, he let his hands slide down, migrating over her waist, cradling her perfect hips. And then, suddenly, one of his hands darted below the waterline. Eve stared at him, questioningly. The pool rose just up to the juncture of her thighs, and, placing his hand softly above her knee, he slowly began to run his fingers, delicately, deliberately, up.

She swallowed. He held her gaze.

He continued to move, lightly brushing her silky skin, sweeping the firm muscle of her upper thigh, gliding along until— “What… what are you doing?”

The words shook him, as though from a trance. His hand stopped. Her voice had waivered slightly, betraying a hint of anxiety. He stared. “I’m…” he struggled to find the words. “I’m… Haven’t you ever… hasn’t Adam ever…?” There was a pause. Suddenly, his eyes grew wide, as though realization had hit him. “Hasn’t Adam ever touched you?” he asked, his voice serious. “There?”

Eve looked back at him, earnestly. “Not with his hands.”

Lucifer stared.

“He… he just puts it in.”

For a moment, Lucifer stood motionless, his large, disbelieving eyes fixed on Eve. Several seconds passed. And then, the corners of his mouth crept upward, a light coming into his face. He let his hand drop.

Suddenly, he vanished under the water.

Eve stared at the spot where he had just stood, as though he had just performed a disappearing act. Slowly, her anxiety began to grow as she waited, ostensibly alone, her body aching. She wondered what he—

Suddenly, she threw her head back as the feeling—a sharp pang mixed with ecstasy—shot through her. The soft warmth of his tongue had penetrated her folds, gently tracing inside, teasing at her clit. Slowly, it began to move more purposefully, sliding against her with deliberate, even strokes. Her body reacted immediately, instinctively rocking against him—breathless, pitiful whimpers tumbling from her lips. She swallowed, trying to regain composure, trying to think, to pierce through the hazy waves of pleasure, to understand what he was doing to her, how he was able to… to …

And then, she let out a cry—a wild, unfettered howl—all attempts at composure crumbling beneath her, her mind going completely blank. His tongue had picked up speed, ripping the breath from her in another uncontrollable moan. His tongue swirled, forcing her to thrust into him, throwing her forward, off-balance, nearly jolting head-first into the pool. And yet, despite her sudden movement, he remained glued to her, his mouth pressing, his tongue still working with masterful rhythm. It sent a shudder rocking through her, zapping her of all her strength, her legs suddenly feeling weak, wobbly, trembling like jelly—as though at any moment they would give way, causing her to collapse, to completely fall into the water. Part of her didn’t mind—wanted to let go completely, to surrender, to abandon any last remnants of control she was still exercising over her body. She could simply melt into this feeling, go limp, allow herself to be completely taken. But, at the same time, she knew instinctively that if she fell away from him, the feeling would end. On some base level, she could not allow that. She had never felt this way before—not with Adam, not ever. And so, she felt herself reach down below the water, and, finding the top of his head, grabbed a fistful of hair, clamping on hard, propping herself against him while thrusting into his face.   

Under the water, Lucifer’s eyes glittered with delight. He didn’t mind having to hold his breath for minutes on end—for his celestial lungs it was easy enough. He didn’t even mind that she was riding him, grinding her slit into his face with unchecked fervor. He simply loved the feeling—her desperate, muffled moans filtering through the water, her thighs trembling against his cheeks. He knew it was the best gift he could have given her: the ultimate new experience. As she tugged mercilessly at his hair, he could feel her want, her body pressing firmly against him, the wails from above growing more and more urgent. It made him ache, his hardness pressing painfully on him. Knowing how much she wanted this, he held on as long as he could, but soon the agony became too great. He wanted, needed her to touch him.  

He reached up with both hands, feeling his way, grabbing hold of her smooth, rounded cheeks and using them to pull himself up. She was looking at him blankly, breathing hard, her eyes glazed over. Desperate. He smiled, a hint of pride flashing through his eyes. Yet, he quickly pulled off his pants, flinging them into the water. He stood there, just as she had been when he’d first laid eyes on her—completely naked, hair and chest dripping. She stared.   

Slowly, he reached out and took her hand, leading it to his cock. She gazed fixedly down at it, eyes widening with unrestrained wonder. She swallowed. Her hand seemed to hesitate, if only for a second, a wave of something like trepidation passing over her face. And yet, she continued to move toward him, gently taking him in her fingers, letting the tips slowly migrate down his shaft. He sucked in a breath. He stared down, watching intently as the beautiful appendages ran slowly over him, gracefully, methodically, tracing his desire. He felt himself moan, the sound hushed, plaintive. Even the soft, easy delicacy of her touch was enough to send him reeling, an electric rush echoing through his torso. When she reached the end, she swept across it, finishing with a slight, gentle swivel of the head. His whole body shook.    

Perhaps gaining confidence, or simply sensing his need, she gripped him with slightly more force, curling her fingers around his shaft and pressing her palm against him. He breathed out sharply, finding himself thrusting, driving himself into her hand, as though willing her to take him more firmly, to give vent to the pressure that was becoming more and more urgent. He grunted, moving faster, harder, until— “Lucifer,” she cooed into his ear. He froze, hips halting mid-thrust. “I need you…” she breathed, the words low, craving. “I need you… inside of me…”

His eyes widened, sparkling with eager enthusiasm. It was almost more than he could bear. Without wasting a second, he reached down, grabbing below her cheeks, and, with a single, fluid motion, lifted her, legs swinging around his waist. With her arms around his neck, he quickly carried her toward shore.

Once on the bank, he knelt, gently laying her down on the sand. Then he straightened, taking her in. She was sprawled out, her limbs strewn haphazardly about her, her naked chest heaving. She looked up at him, eyes filled with hunger. He couldn’t help but stare for a moment, a proud, knowing grin spreading over his lips. “Enjoying yourself, Ms. Eve?” he asked.   

And then, suddenly, she whispered something. It was so quiet, Lucifer had to lean in close, his ear nearly touching her lips. 

“I…” she repeated. Her voice was faint, a breathy whisper, but still somehow charged with feeling. “I… I think you’re amazing.”

His smile faded. He leaned back, for a moment simply studying her, his expression intensely questioning, almost pained. The words themselves had not been remarkable. And yet… he searched her face. There was something there… something besides the usual empty worship, the blind admiration of his charisma he’d experienced so often throughout his life. She was looking up at him, her eyes filled with that warmth, that tenderness, that… look. It made something in his chest at once open and break. 

Suddenly he felt it—the pull—tugging at him, wrenching him violently toward her. He was overwhelmed by a need be as close as possible, to touch her, to feel her as she enveloped him—swallowing him whole. Instinctively, he slid over her frame, the full length of her below, skin on skin. And then, without another thought, he thrust forward, plunging himself, unceremoniously, between her legs.

His head shot backward, eyes clenched, as he felt her liquid warmth encircling, pressing tight against his shaft, the molten pleasure cradling him like a glove. Distantly, he heard Eve gasp, was vaguely aware of the desire radiating off her, like a fire giving off heat. But soon his mind shut it all out, unaware of anything but the feeling throbbing through him, hips pulsating, breath quickening, his whole body melting, pressing into her, his focus blurring with hot, hazy need. Unwittingly, he let out a moan. The muscles in his lower back tightened, bearing down with more and more force, shaking her frame. Even the sting of her nails, digging into his shoulder, barely penetrated his trance. All he could feel was her hips rising, angling toward him, clutching at him, pulling him even deeper. But it wasn’t enough. He needed her closer.

Urgently, he reached down, sliding his hand across her thighs, cupping her ass and jerking her upward, lifting her into him, diving as deep as he could go. He shut his eyes tight as he felt the sweet caress of pressure, sending spasms up the base of his spine. He’d never felt this way before.

It was too much. He was up on his knees, which began to wobble. He was quickly losing it—all sense of himself crumbling beneath him—a pressure weighing on his chest. He fell forward, barely managing to catch himself before face-planting onto her shoulder, his open palm hitting the sand next to her. He propped himself up on his arm as his hips shook, totally uncoordinated at this point, managing a few half-hearted thrusts—despite his lack of control, his body was still incessantly reaching, straining, pressing into—

Suddenly he heard her. She was moaning his name. Low and steady.

He was back up, pounding her with even more force, more want, everything in his being, his soul, craving, careening, arching toward her, needing, needing to… to… to…

He felt her walls tighten around him. He cried out, as the feeling rocketed through him, bursts of pleasure pouring, streaming through his insides, exploding from their gates like a fiery flood. He jerked forward helplessly, jamming, boring into her with one, last, desperate—

He collapsed on top of her.

For a moment, he didn’t move. He simply lay there, letting the final quivers gently pulsate through him.

Finally he let out a long, releasing breath.  

After a few seconds of stillness, he felt her hand, moving from where it lay on his back, coming to rest on his forehead, her fingers softly running over his brow. They moved with gentle affection… and yet, the sensation seemed to send a shiver down his spine. He imagined her forefinger sliding through the rivulets of perspiration he could feel forming on his forehead. Quickly he reached up, brushing them, and her, away.

As he lay there, sprawled on top of her, a hollow pang seemed to swell inside of him, carving a hole in his chest. He sat up, propping himself back on his arm. He didn’t want to touch her anymore. Despite having just been trying, a few seconds ago, to shove himself inside her, to be as close as possible, he was at once all too eager to get away. He pulled his softening cock out from between her legs, trying to ignore the sticky assortment of vaginal fluid and his own come he felt clinging to his skin. He sat a few inches from her, feeling vaguely… empty. His eyes trained on the ground in front of him. He couldn’t quite look at her. Not after what had just happened. Despite his decades of experience, the multitude of previous partners, he knew he had not appeared as a master practicing his craft. Instead he’d been completely lost. Taken. Without so much a semblance of control. He couldn’t help but feel a twinge of embarrassment.

But then, out the corner of his eye, he suddenly caught movement. An arm was stretching, reaching up, as if grasping, beckoning toward him. Slowly, he allowed his gaze to wander back, tracing her wrist, her elbow, down to her shoulder, the skin of her neck—finally it landed, point blank on her eyes—big and brown. They were staring up at him, smiling. Warm and easy.    

He felt a stinging form behind his eyelids, his desire to leave her suddenly failing him, as if it had been the only thing he was leaning on, the only thing holding him solidly upright. His body crumpled, head ducking into his chest, the whole of him collapsing in on itself, curling into a ball.

Gently, she sat up, taking his head in her arms. She held him, pressing his face against her shoulder. He moved easily into the crook of her neck, trying not to think about the dampness she must have sensed on his cheeks. He nestled into her—close—as though trying to wrap himself inside of her, as if he were searching, probing. Hoping to find something in her, some way—back to himself.

****

Adam glared, his eyes wide. From the top of the bluff that formed the waterfall, he stared down at them—his wife of 100 years, his only companion, the only one he had ever loved—laying with this… this stranger, their naked limbs tangled together like vines. For several minutes he couldn’t move, his heart beating loudly in his chest.

Soon though, the feelings mulling about inside him—the numbness, confusion, loss—slowly began to warp, coalescing into a blind, fearsome rage.

He would stab them. Both of them. With his arrow. He would give full vent to all his anger in one fell swoop. He would take his revenge on this creature, this… thing, whatever it was. This thing that was fucking his wife.

And yet… he knew that in truth he could not. Not right away, anyway. He had never acted on impulse before, never followed his desires—at least not when it came to anything important. And so, he did what he always did in difficult situations. The only thing he knew how to do. With hands shaking, he slowly lifted them, pressing his fingers together. And then, eyes turned beseechingly up toward the tower, he fell to his knees and began to pray.     

Chapter Text

Goddess flowed into the chamber, her long hair streaming behind her in a waterfall of rich, golden light. She paused, taking in her surroundings. Everything was bathed in a sharp whiteness that seemed to permeate the room. Despite its brightness, however, the chamber had a cold, sterile quality that paled in comparison to Goddess’ warm glow. It was also exceedingly empty. Aside from a tall, white platform that sat in the center, there was nothing at all to be seen. Even the walls seemed to disappear into a void of infinite nothingness.

After glancing around the space, she finally let her eyes wander to the top of the platform, resting on the only thing in the chamber there was to see.

“Hello, Husband…” she muttered with disdain.

He was perched above on a silver throne, resting his head in one of his hands. His face was worn, showing signs of strain, with heavy bags protruding from below narrowed eyes. And yet, beneath his heavy eyelids, a pair of alert, piercing blue irises peered down at her.

She looked back up at him, meeting his gaze.

“You know, this new withered face of yours is really a turn-off,” she grumbled. “I don’t see why you chose it…”

He didn’t answer but continued to watch her, something unreadable flashing through his eyes. Eventually he let out a short, dismissive snicker. “I see you haven’t changed.”

“I… suppose some things never do. And you’re still… doing what exactly? Sitting alone in an empty tower? Wallowing in resentment?”

His jaw tightened. “I didn’t call you here to discuss how I spend my days…”  

“Really?? Then why did you call me here?”

He was silent for a moment, staring off at what would have been the far wall, had there been any.  

“I must say, I was surprised to get the invite,” Goddess continued. “After eighty years…”

God’s eyes filled with indignation. “You know why I called you here.”

“Do I?”  

He paused. “What did you do?? Lead him to her by asking him to pick you apples near the garden??” He shot her a cold stare.

A sinister smile spread over her lips. “I happen to like those apples.”  

“You knew what would happen…” he snarled.  

“And… what if I did?” Goddess returned calmly. “Does that make you feel threatened??”

God’s eyebrow twitched. “I guess you have sight now too??” His eyes wandered from the far wall, carefully scanning her face. “I suppose you can see things? Glimpses of the future??”

Goddess didn’t answer. She merely stared back at him, a proud grin on her face.

“You knew didn’t you??” he growled. “You knew I wouldn’t be able to stop it… You know I can’t see—” He suddenly stopped himself.

“Know what?” she asked with amusement. “That you can’t see the garden? That you have absolutely no idea what happens there?”

God’s expression stiffened. He looked away.

“I must admit, it took me a while to work that one out,” she said with a smirk. “It figures though, that you would choose to block it from your sight. After what you did…” Her eyes hardened. “I understand why you wouldn’t want to see—why you wouldn’t want to think about that place. Where you cut the hole in the wall…” She looked up at him, her lips tightening with bitterness. “Of course, not all of us have the luxury of being able to forget.”

“I didn’t call you here to talk about that,” he said, letting out a sharp breath.

“Right,” Goddess returned, her voice full of spite. “Because we never talk about that. We haven’t EVER talked about that!”

“So, this was your plan, was it!?” he suddenly roared. “Use Samael to get my attention? Just so you can have a chance to come here and rail at me for past mistakes??”

Goddess gazed back at him, the smile suddenly gone from her lips. “So,” she said coldly. “You admit it was a mistake?”

God’s eyes shifted.

She took in a deep breath. “In answer to your question, my intentions with Lucifer were nothing as deliberate as all that. I just… I just wanted to see you suffer.”

“Do you know what you’ve done??” He glared down at her. “How dangerous it is!? If Samael falls in love, they… they could produce offspring…” He seemed to quiver as he said it.  

“But I thought angels were sterile…?”

“You KNOW they aren’t.”

Her grin returned. “Hmm… Then why did you tell them that they were? Did you… LIE?”

God’s eyes narrowed. “If Samael—if any of them, start producing offspring, the threat to the throne is exceedingly—”

“You are so paranoid!!” Goddess suddenly exploded. “All you ever think about is your throne! You are so afraid of losing it, you don’t even stop to think about anything… anyone else…”

“I am not just being paranoid!” God said through gritted teeth.

She exhaled, shaking her head. “In any case, you needn’t worry about any unplanned offspring. There is no way Lucifer could fall in love with… a human.” She shuddered at the word. “Those stupid creations of yours.”    

“You don’t know that,” he said, seriously. “Depending on their choices, there are paths which lead to love.”

Goddess rolled her eyes. “With a human?”   

“You shouldn’t be so quick to dismiss them. Humans are not cherubim. Their intelligence and will is much stronger. And,” he looked thoughtfully off into the distance. “The two of them have a lot in common…”

“I see. Well then. Perhaps I’ll be genuflecting to one of our grandchildren sooner than I think…”

“Do not joke about that.”

She suddenly glowered at him. “You were always so worried about your children overthrowing you, and now you suspect your unborn grandchildren!?” she yelled, her voice seeming to echo through the empty chamber. “You want to know how you ‘control’ them?? How you can stop them from taking your power!? Here’s a novel idea: why don’t you give them love instead of pushing them away?? Why don’t you stop giving them cause to hate you?” She shook her head. “You know what your problem is: you’re obsessed with power. You’ve always been. It blinds you to everything. It’s why you had to run away to fuck a Goddess in another universe. Why you had to flee somewhere where you could feel stronger! Tell me, if I hadn’t closed that hole, would you have stayed there forever?? In a universe where you didn’t have to share power with me? Where you wouldn’t have to worry about your children or grandchildren overthrowing you!??”

God simply looked back at her, his face frozen.

“Do you...” Goddess asked, her voice lower now. “Do you even care about your family?” She paused for a moment, seeming to consider. “Do you even love us?”

God’s eyes widened. “How…” he stuttered, the cynicism suddenly gone from his voice. “How can you ask that?”

She shook her head. “I honestly don’t know.”

Suddenly, white-hot anger flooded God’s face. “I came back, didn’t I!??” he bellowed, gripping the edge of his throne. “I came back for you!! For all of you!!” Outside, a sharp crash of thunder could be heard. “I sacrificed so much for this family!! I gave up everything!!”

“Yes,” she said with a slight nod. “But you did it out of responsibility, not out of love…” Her voice was quiet, resigned. “I don’t know maybe… maybe you do love us.” She looked up at him, wistfully. “But you love power more.”  

God’s face froze. For several seconds he sat, unmoving, staring at her with wide, astonished eyes. “That’s not true,” he finally whispered.

“It is. Even if you wish it weren’t, it still is.”

He continued to stare down at her, something pained and soulful entering his expression. Finally, he turned away. “Please leave,” he muttered. “I have to clean up the mess you made.”

Goddess briefly hesitated, scanning his long, wrinkled face. Finally she turned, and floated out of the room.  

Chapter Text

Eve rode him, swaying her hips gently over his straddled torso, her chest rocking along with her movements. She looked down at his face. His dark eyes were barely open, lips parted in a look of utter bliss, as though he were relishing the feeling of being inside her, lost and helpless, blindly chasing his need. Her own eyes sparkled at the sight. Abruptly, his breath took on a more urgent, fervent quality, and he arched his lower back, quickening his pace and moving his torso up towards her, as though seeking release.

A mischievous grin spread over her lips and she immediately rocked forward slightly, onto the balls of her feet, just enough to create the smallest of windows, the tiniest gap between their bodies, so that only the tip of him remained inside her. He moaned in desperation, arching his back further, attempting to plunge his hips upward in pursuit of her body.

It was no use. She waited a moment, appreciating the look on his face. A look of hunger. Pure desire. “Eve…” he called up to her, his voice breathy, pressing. He reached his hands up to her involuntarily, sliding them towards her hips, as if attempting to pull her down toward him. But she rocked further forward, easily avoiding his uncoordinated grasp. “Eve…” he said again, more desperate this time. She grinned with satisfaction. She loved it when he said her name. When he was this far gone. Wanting her. Hopelessly wanting her.

Finally, she gave in, rolling backward onto her heels and dropping her weight down on him—taking the full length of him inside her. She heard him gasp, thrusting himself upward and grinding into her with as much force as he could manage. She could feel him quake, helpless shivers of ecstasy vibrating below her as his orgasm shook through him.

Eve sat still for a moment, continuing to enjoy the view from above. His eyes were completely closed now, a slight smile on his lips, as if savoring the sensation of being there, as close to her as possible. Again, he reached his hands up to her, this time finding her back and pulling her down towards him, so that her chest came to meet his own. She lay there, feeling the full length of his torso, his soft skin pressed against her.

She stretched upwards, and kissed his forehead.

“Eve…” he whispered again, slowly, warmly.

She smiled—a proud, contented smile. She knew she was the best he’d ever had. He’d told her so, in fact, many times. The cherubim couldn’t compare. They lacked imagination, lacked true will. With them, he always had to be the one to provide the spark, any real originality. None of them could surprise him. But Eve could. She took in a satisfied breath, allowing herself to relish in the feeling. She liked it. It was nothing like with Adam. He never let her be on top…

His legs fumbled around under her as if searching for something. She disentangled their torsos and lay flat on top of him, stretching her legs out and wrapping them around his own.

“You’re incredible…” he finally said, a satisfied smile passing over his face.

Eve laughed lightly. “Well, I’m only human,” she said, humbly.

“Humans…” he said with dazed delight. “Humans are the best…”

They lay like that for a long time, Eve’s head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat, feeling his body swell up and down with his breathing.

Many minutes passed. Eventually though, the contentment that she felt lying there gave way to restlessness. As comfortable as Lucifer’s chest was, she couldn’t lie there all day. She sat up.

Lucifer seemed somewhat disconcerted. “Where are you going?” he asked.

“I’m all sweaty now,” she said with a grin, taking some pleasure in his reaction. “I’m going in the water.” Without waiting for a response, she turned toward the pool and dove in.  

For a moment, Lucifer continued to look disgruntled by her hasty departure. Soon though, he himself sat up. “Fine. Then I’m going in to.”

Eve had just come up to the surface and was wading peacefully, when Lucifer jumped in, knees tucked to his chin, body in full cannonball position, causing such force as he entered the water that a wave lifted up, striking Eve directly in the face.

“Lucifer!!” she cried. “What is wrong with you!?”

He laughed with satisfaction, quickly swimming away as she dove after him.

She chased him around the pool for a while, before she finally was able to corner him, his back against the waterfall. As she lifted her arm to hit the water, preparing to create the most massive of all splashes, he abruptly ducked below the surface, avoiding it entirely.

Purely out of anger, she gave the surface another slap. “Lucifer!” she yelled in frustration. And yet, despite her annoyance, she somehow couldn’t seem to keep the amused grin off her face as she waited for him to come back up.

She continued to stand there for what seemed a long time. Finally, she yelled his name again, this time with more of a question in her voice than anger. “Lucifer?”

Still, the pool remained silent, the surface of the water unbroken.

“Lucifer!?” she called again, more urgent this time. Was he playing a prank on her? Simply trying to avoid her splashes? Several more minutes passed. She knew he could hold his breath for a long time, but this…

Finally, a darkened head pierced the surface of the water, droplets flying haphazardly around it. Slowly, he stood upright. And yet, his eyes remained shut.

Sensing something wasn’t right, Eve repeated his name. “Lucifer??” she called, her voice full of concern. He didn’t answer—his eyelids staying clenched, his body frozen.

After what seemed an eternity, his eyes finally opened and he met Eve’s gaze. On his face was a look of complete shock and confusion.

She stared back at him, her eyes questioning.

“My… my father,” he stammered.

Eve didn’t answer. Her lips parted, but no sound came out.

“He… he spoke to me…”

Chapter Text

Lucifer’s legs shook uncontrollably as he dragged them, one by one, toward the base of the tower. As he stared up at it, the huge lump in his throat seemed to grow, his stomach twisting into further convoluted knots. The tower stretched as far as he could see, it’s stark, white walls seeming to stare back at him with impenetrable fortitude, as though reminding him of the sheer power of the one who created them—with no bricks, plaster or tools. Simply with the force of his will.

In the days before hearing his father’s command—strict instructions to immediately come and see him—Lucifer had been filled with anger. The incident with Reginia had left him fantasizing about vengeance, as if such a thing were possible. And yet, as he stood there, about to see his father for the first time in eighty years, mostly he just felt… fear. Fear of punishment, yes, but of something else, too… something unnamable, but all the more pressing, aching through his chest.

He closed his eyes, trying to remember the details of his face. 

What would Father say to him?

He’d be furious, of course. That much seemed clear. But… how much did he know? He had spoken to him while he’d been in the garden. With Eve. Naked. Could he somehow speak to him and not see all that?

It seemed unlikely. And so… he knew. He must know. It must be why he was calling him there. For punishment. Nothing else. To be chastised and condemned. His jaw tightened, some of his former anger returning. Did he truly deserve this?   

And yet, when he’d heard that voice, that steady, low beat in his ear, it’d seemed so… familiar. There was a part of him that couldn’t help but feel a slight twinge of something other than fear and anger—a vague outline of something… hopeful. 

Of course, nothing was more terrifying.

He looked up at the tower door, the hard wooden beams bleak and foreboding. Slowly, he lifted a hand toward the large metal handle, gripping the icy surface. His fingers shook.

Suddenly he keeled over, sharp pangs spreading through his stomach. He pointed his face away from the door and waited. He stayed, hunched over like that for several seconds, but nothing came up. Finally, he took a deep breath. He straightened.

He really had no idea how to do this. His instinct told him to run. And yet, where was there to go? His father controlled everything within known existence. He would have to face him, sooner or later.  

Slowly, he lifted his hand and opened the door.

The tower was wide and dark. There seemed to be nothing inside but for at the very top, where he could make out a small, rectangular sliver of light. After staring at it a while, he came to realize it was the outline of a door—white beams streaming through its cracks. Without waiting to lose his nerve, he quickly flew up and opened it.  

The room was white. Brutally white. At first Lucifer was blinded, forced to squint as he stepped into the large chamber. Slowly though, his eyes adjusted and he was able to make out the mostly vacant room, empty except for the tall platform in the center, supporting a large, silver throne.

Lucifer froze. He could feel his heart racing as his eyes locked on to the chair’s silver legs, noting the folds of the long white robe that fell between them—one he remembered grasping onto as a child. He swallowed, slowly letting his eyes move their way up past the ridges formed by of a pair of knees, over a silver sash, across two, lined hands, gently folded. Finally, his gaze rested on the long white beard and worn, weary face.

He stared up at him. He was more wrinkled, more tired seeming than he remembered. But those eyes. Those piercing blue irises were exactly the same, looking down on him with all-knowing perceptivity.

They were warm.

Seeing them, Lucifer felt something inside him loosen.  

“Hello, Son,” he heard him say, in a voice at once affectionate and intensely familiar.  

***

“Eve!! Eve!!”

He could see her figure through the trees, standing on her toes in front of the tall rock, arranging her pebbles. When he called out, she turned.   

“Lucifer!” she yelled back, instantly dropping the stone in her hand and running toward him.  

Though she’d clearly heard him, he called her name again, unable to contain himself. “Eve!” He was breathing fast. “He… he… Father…” he said between gasps.

She reached him and stood close, staring intently up at his face.

“He… he wasn’t angry!!” he finally blurted out.

“Really??” she asked, relief and hope in her voice.

“Yes!” A wide smile spread over his lips. “He didn’t mention you! Didn’t even say anything at all about us!!”

“Wow! That’s… that’s… that’s great, Lucifer!!” 

“I know! I don’t even know… I don’t even know if he knows! BUT… none of that matters!” He stepped back, shifting his weight from side to side, his restless energy refusing to let him stand still. “That wasn’t what he wanted to talk about!”

“Oh??” she asked, clearly surprised.

At the prospect of telling her, Lucifer felt a giddy rush shoot through him. He grabbed her shoulders, giving her a firm shake. “He wants me to be GOD!!”

Now Eve took a step back, letting his hands fall. She gazed up at him, her expression blank. “What??”

Lucifer chuckled, enjoying the look on her face.

“Wha…?” she repeated. “What does that mean? Are you sure?? What exactly did he say??”

“I know…” he said, shaking his head. “I couldn’t believe it either! But it’s Dad’s honest truth! He looked down at me, and in his deep voice said, ‘Samael, I want you to be my heir.’” He laughed, grinning so broadly that the sides of his cheeks started to hurt.

“So… you… you will be God?” Eve asked, still not fully registering. 

Lucifer nodded eagerly. 

Eve’s brow furrowed. “So… he doesn’t want to be God anymore?”

“Well, for now, of course!” Lucifer said, as though it were the most natural thing in the world. “But he plans to retire in a few hundred thousand years or so. Give or take.” He shrugged. “Plenty of time for me to enjoy myself before getting down to business—and to come up with a design strategy.” He suddenly went silent, staring out at the far trees. “What do you think about flying plants??” he asked. 

Eve didn’t answer. She was still staring at him, seemingly at a loss. “But, Lucifer…” She hesitated. “Why do you think… why do you think he chose you to be his heir?”

At this, Lucifer’s brow furrowed and he leaned back. “Well, because I’m the best angel for the job!” he said, allowing a bit of indignation to enter his voice. “That’s what Dad said.” And then, just as soon as it had come, his irritation disappeared, giving way again to unfettered joy. “He’s been watching me, Eve. All these years! He’s always been there… he hadn’t left. Not really…” His face lit up as he said it, as though a weight that had long been pressing down on him had finally lifted. “And I’m the only one who can do it! He said my siblings are good at following orders, but you can’t do that when you’re in charge. You have to think for yourself!” He smiled again with obvious pride, before looking deep into Eve’s eyes. “Can you believe it, Eve?” he whispered. “He actually said that to me…” 

Eve didn’t smile. She simply stared back at him, her eyes narrowing slightly. “So… he’s been watching you?” she asked. 

“Yes!” Lucifer said with enthusiasm. And then, after a pause, “Watching over me.”

“But… he didn’t see you come into the garden?” she asked, pointedly. “Or, what you’ve been doing here…?”

“Apparently not!” he answered, unconcerned. “Or else he doesn’t care…”

Eve was quiet for a moment. Her lips seemed to tense. “But weren’t you angry about that?” She let out a short breath. “About him watching you?”

Lucifer’s smile faded slightly.

“Didn’t you feel like he was controlling you?”

For a moment he didn’t answer. His eyes drifted, staring past her. 

“Did you ask him about that??” she pressed.

His jaw tightened, and he went quiet for several seconds. And then, abruptly, his eyes shot back to Eve. “No! I… I… Of course I didn’t! He… was offering me the job of a lifetime! I… I couldn’t stop to… it wasn’t the right time to…” —He swallowed, his eyes hardening— “to bring up such minor issues!”

Eve stared back at him, her face frozen. “Minor issues…?” she whispered.

Lucifer let out a breath. “Well… yes! Compared to what he must deal with on the day to day—what I will be dealing with when I am Lord of the entire universe—I am sure such things do seem quite minor!” He was almost yelling. “And in any case, when I’m God, I won’t have to worry about any of that, will I?? I’ll be the one in control! I’ll… I’ll finally be free!”

For a moment she didn’t answer. Then, slowly she replied, “You think this is freedom?”

Lucifer didn’t respond. He stared back at her.

Eve, too, remained quiet. Her brow tightened, as though considering her next words very carefully. Finally she sighed. “Well, I’m just really glad you’re okay,” she said, a small, if slightly rigid smile spreading over her lips. “And that you got what you wanted. Lucifer… Lucifer, I’m really happy for you.”

He exhaled, the light from a moment ago returning to his face. “Thank you.” He glanced down at her rock and took a seat. “I do think this is what I’ve been waiting for. What I… needed…” He stared at his feet. “I always felt he had some plans for me... Now I know for sure,” he said, turning back up towards her.

Lucifer thought he could still sense a hint of apprehension lurking in the corners of her eyes, yet the smile remained on her face.

Somehow, it seemed to bring him a profound sense of ease.

And then, his mind insidiously wandered to the other thing—the other news he had to tell her—and a sickening dread crawled up into his chest. He swallowed.

“There’s something else though…” he said, slowly. He shifted, his gaze wandering towards the ground.

“Yes?” he heard her ask. Her voice sounded far away. 

He suddenly wished that he were someplace else, anywhere but here. That he didn’t have to…

“He wants me to go into another universe,” he said, managing to keep his tone even. “I’m supposed to guard it for a while.”

He could feel Eve staring down at him, but still he didn’t look up. It seemed an eternity before she spoke, and when she did, her words were halting. “He wants you to go to… a… another universe?”

Lucifer simply nodded.

“What… what other universe?” she finally asked, her voice unnaturally high.

“I don’t know. A different one than this one, I suppose.” He glanced up at her.

Eve was shaking her head, as though trying to make sense of what he was saying. Finally, her eyes widened and she blurted out, “Do you mean the universe where he met that Goddes—”

“No!” Lucifer shouted, jumping to his feet. He suddenly realized where she was going and had to stop her before she got there. “No! No, no. Of course not. A different one.” He let out a breath. “He said he found it. I’m not sure how… but he found it.”

“But…” She thought for a moment. “Why does he want you to go there?”

“He needs it for something. Something in the future—he couldn’t tell me what.” He shook his head. “But he’s worried some deities from other universes might go in there and take it. So he needs me to guard it for a while.”

“He… he wants you to guard a universe…?” There was a sharp edge in her voice.

Slowly, Lucifer nodded.

“Against other Gods…?”

Lucifer looked at her. “Yes,” he said. 

Panic started to fill her features. “Lucifer…” she said, her tone anxious, “Isn’t that dangerous?”

“Well… Dad says I can handle it!” he said with a scoff, trying to sound confident. “In any case, I’ll have the flaming sword! That’s the most powerful weapon in the universe.”

“In… in our universe…” Eve stuttered.

“Well!” He shrugged. “I’m sure it’s sufficient to snuff out anyone who tries to mess with us! That thing can even strip Father of his power…” He tried to flash Eve a smile. It felt strained.

Finally, as though unable to hold back any longer, a pained look of frustration flooded Eve’s face. “Lucifer, you… you can’t do this!” she cried. “This is dangerous! You could be killed! Are you sure… are you sure he is asking you to do this as a reward?? Are you sure… this isn’t a punishment??”

Lucifer’s eyes shot open with shock. “Of course not!” he yelled back at her. “My father doesn’t lie!!”

“But… but,” she stuttered. “He did lie! You said so yourself! He lied about free will!”

“That was different! Technically… technically that wasn’t a lie.”

Eve’s nostrils flared. Yet, she didn’t reply, instead letting out a sharp breath and closing her eyes tightly. After a long pause, she finally opened her mouth. “How long?” she asked, simply.

Some of the anger left his face. “I don’t know…” he answered, his voice finally betraying a bit of apprehension. “Could be a day. Could be a year.”

Her breath seemed to hitch. She took a step closer to him. “You’re leaving.” she said slowly, as though not having quite realized it before. 

Hearing this, his heart sank. He nodded.

She looked up at him, the anger in her face suddenly turning desperate.

“Don’t go…” she whispered. “Please. You don’t have to do this…” She shook her head. 

Her eyes, so big and full of desire—they were too much. Quickly, he looked away. “I… have to…” he said, still not looking at her.

She reached out and took his hand, griping it tightly.

“I’m sorry, Eve,” he breathed. “I have to do this… I have to show my father…”

He glanced at her. Tears had started to well in her eyes. “You don’t…” she cried. “You don’t have to…”

He tried to move away, but he felt her quickly shift her hands from his, sliding them up his arms, around his back, pulling him against her. They continued to migrate up the back of his neck, grabbing a fistful of hair. “Lucifer…” she said—half a cry, half a whimper. She was staring up at him, her face imploring. “You can’t— You don’t... You don’t have to go!” Her voice cracked.

“I…” Lucifer stuttered.

She was looking up at him intently, searching his face.

Despite himself, he returned her gaze. Her eyes were deep, dark pools—full of longing.

Again, he tried to pull away, but she held him firm, and, reaching up, pressed her lips against his.

For a moment, he remained rigid. Yet, it only took a second before his lips relaxed into hers, helplessly pressing back against her. She laced her tongue into his mouth, grabbing his hair tighter, as if trying as best she could to hold him. To keep him.

Her smell—that intoxicating scent, so human—filled his nostrils. It was the smell of freedom. All he wanted to do was…

“Eve!” He managed to tear himself away.

She stepped towards him, again grabbing his hands. “You don’t have to go!” she screamed, her voice a desperate wail. “You don’t need to! You don’t need…”—she stopped herself, before pressing determinedly on— “You don’t need him, Lucifer!!” She was yelling loudly, any attempt at restraint having left her. “You don’t need to be God!! You… you’re amazing! Just as you are!!!” Tears were streaming down her face, and she was clutching his hands tightly—as tight as she possibly could.  

As each sentence fell, Lucifer’s throat tensed, his eyes stinging all the more painfully. He wanted to believe her. This version of himself that she seemed to see. To stay with her. For her to wrap her arms around him, where he could stay, safe, for the rest of their eternal lives.

And yet, deep down, he knew it could never be. It wasn’t possible. Had never been possible. There was no way he could have gone against his father—not for long, anyway. Everything he was, it was all because of him. He had to follow him to the end.  

He looked away, feeling the tears start to spill over. “Eve…” he murmured, helplessly. “Please… please don’t do this to me…”

“Lucifer!” she cried again, unrelenting. “I need you…”

Her words seemed to pierce him—a sharp pang shooting through his chest. “I… I have to go…” He began to turn away from her.

“Why??” she cried. “What does it matter what he thinks??”   

He froze.

It wasn’t that simple… It couldn’t be. Unthinking, he spun back around, meeting her eyes. “It’s not just him!” he cried. “I’ll be God! GOD. The most powerful being in the UNIVERSE! I’ll be able to create—to birth existence with my bear hands… Do you know how that feels, Eve?? Do you know what it’s like?? To have that power?”

Eve stared back at him. Suddenly, mixed in with the sadness and desperation, something else entered her eyes—as though she had just been rudely awakened from a dream.

It made something inside him break. “Eve…” He struggled to find the words. “Eve, I…”

“Does power really mean that much to you?” she finally whispered.  

Lucifer didn’t respond. He met her gaze. It was pained. Empty.    

It was more than he could take. “Eve… I… please…” he tried again, the tears obstinately falling down his cheeks. “Eve, please. Please don’t be mad at me.” He swallowed. “I really need you on my side right now. I really need… Eve…”  

She just kept looking at him, her eyes blank.

“Please, Eve. I think…” —His breaths came fast and shallow, a panicky desperation rising up within him. He didn’t know what he was saying, all he knew was that he had felt more with her than with anyone else, and he couldn’t leave things like this. Not like this— “I think… I think I love you!” he cried.    

For a moment, Eve’s expression didn’t waver. Then, finally, a small, pained smile spread over her lips. “Maybe you do,” she said, meeting his gaze. “But you love power more.”

Chapter Text

It was dark in the universe. Crushingly dark.

Darkness, of course, is the absence of light. But this was a different kind of darkness—

it was the absence of everything.   

When Lucifer first entered, he’d been terrified. He’d half expected some rival God, some unknown creature to annihilate him on the spot. He was there for defense, after all, and who knew what strange, powerful beings might lurk in this alternate world.

He needn’t have worried. Soon, the threat of violence no longer seemed the worst thing. In fact, the thought of anything happening, no matter how horrible, would have been welcome. Anything just to feel.

There was, of course, nothing to feel. Nothing to experience. There was no ground beneath him—not even the sensation of gravity weighing him down. Yet, it wasn’t as if he were floating, either. It was as though, upon entering the void, his body had simply dissipated, and he was no longer anything but a collection of thoughts, suspended in the empty space.

Time passed.

Exactly how much, it was impossible to tell. In that space, with only darkness, time ceased to have any meaning. Instead of days moving forward in a cycle from one to the next, only thoughts moved in such a way, brooding and painful, turning over, one by one, as endless and repetitive as the minutes ticking by.

And yet, there was one thought that permeated, repeating itself over and over: he would soon be gone. Would cease to exist. Maybe he already had. He had no connection to the outside world, no body to feel, no being with whom to interact. There was no external reference, nothing outside himself to confirm his being alive. He would soon simply melt away, dissolving into the darkness around him.

Part of him wanted to fight it. To scream out into the void, to declare his reality to the universe which seemed bent on consuming him.

And yet, even if he could scream, who would be able to hear?  

Time continued to pass.

Somehow, Lucifer still remembered his father. His father had chosen him for this. He, Lucifer, was the chosen one. His father had put his faith in him. This was, of course, was a test. He would do this for him.

Time went on.

Doggedly, he remained—watching the vacant, broken thoughts dissolve, one into another.

And then, in a moment, everything changed. The wall opened. Light suddenly poured in, and Lucifer, shutting his eyes tightly against the abrupt, burning influx of sensation, crawled out.

It was a long time before he could open his eyes. Many days, in fact. He knew it was days, because even though his eyes were closed, he could sense the light and dark trading places, one after another in a constant rhythm. It felt strange. Unfamiliar.

He was also vaguely aware that he now had a body, with sense and substance. It seemed to be weighted, pressed down against something hard. It caused his limbs to ache. After a few days, he was able to reach out and touch the space around him. The hard surface was covered in tiny, grainy cracks with long, thin rivulets running through them. Suddenly, a long-forgotten memory flashed through his mind. He had been here before.

Still, he didn’t move. The light continued to come in waves—hours of piercing brightness, followed by the familiar comfort of dark.

And then, after a while, he began to feel an ache in his stomach—a painful gnawing, as though someone or something were scraping at his insides. Somehow, it seemed to ground him, to make want to do something with this body. And so, very slowly, he opened his eyes.

After several minutes of waiting for them to adjust, he was finally able to see: The large, luxurious bed. Bookshelves filled with works, stacked high. Large, stately windows that let in his mother’s light. Slowly, recognition hit.

He was in his old room.

He knew it was supposed to be home. And yet, it still felt… foreign. There were too many sensations, too much light bombarding him from every angle. Though the gnawing in his torso had gotten more severe, he still couldn’t bring himself to move. Slowly, he curled himself into a ball, and retreated to a corner.

It was Azrael who found him like that, hands wrapped around his knees, eyes shut tight, lying in the fetal position.

Who knows why, after a hundred years of him being gone, she suddenly had the inclination to check his room.

She was the one who took care of him. In the months it took him to recuperate, she was the one who slowly taught him how to eat again. To sleep in a bed. To leave his chamber.  And, hardest of all, to speak.

After many months had passed, she finally started to see some of the old light return to his face. The first time he told her that her purposefully messy dark hair looked like a crow had fallen in a bucket of grease, tears came into her eyes.     

As soon as he was able, there was one thing he wanted to do more than anything.

Despite Azrael’s warnings that he ought to wait longer, he made his way to the tower.

He had to see Father. He had to know what this was all for.

Though his eyes had long since adjusted to the stimulus of light, he was still blinded by the stark whiteness of his father’s chamber.

But when he could finally make out that tall, silver throne, the long white robe, he immediately dropped to one knee. His demeanor was full of deference and respect—the epitome of the obedient, dutiful son. It seemed suffering, the sacrifice he’d taken on in the name of his father, had done more to ensure his loyalty than all the abundant praise he’d been showered with as a child.

With his head bowed, he very slowly turned his eyes upward, meeting his father’s gaze. The piercing blue, all-knowing eyes stared down at him.

He scanned his face. It was still tired and worn, but the warmth he remembered from that day all those years ago seemed strikingly absent. Instead, there was something else—something dry and knowing.

Several seconds passed. His father remained completely silent, looking down at him, expressionless, as though having no inclination to address him at all. After a seeming eternity, Lucifer couldn’t take it any longer.

“Father, I’ve done as you asked,” he said, returning his eyes to floor in a respectful gesture. “I guarded the universe.”

“Yes. I am aware,” God answered. His voice was low, even.

Silence.

Lucifer didn’t know how to respond to that. He waited. Still, his father didn’t speak.

Lucifer kept his gaze turned downward, staring at his bended knee. Finally he ventured, “Have I done everything to your satisfaction?”

This time God’s snicker was audible. “I guess you could say that. Although I don’t really see how you could possibly have screwed it up.”

At this, Lucifer finally raised his head. And yet, he seemed not to know how to react.  “No one… no one entered the universe…” he stuttered.

“I know.”  

“You… were you watching me?” he asked, cautiously.

 “No, of course not,” he said with a scoff. “I can’t see any universe but our own.”

Lucifer’s voice lowered slightly, his jaw tightening. “Then how did you know no other gods entered the universe?”

God leaned forward, looking directly at Lucifer. “Because I knew none would.” He sneered.  

Lucifer stared back at him, his eyes widening. “Then why… why did you send me there??” he asked, his voice high.

God leaned back again, his expression calm. “After disobeying my orders—going into the garden, not to mention copulating with my human creation—did you really think you would escape punishment?”

“It was…a punishment?” he whispered.  

“Of course it was a punishment!” God retorted. He let out a huff. “The son I favored, who I poured praise and light on, on whom I believed I could truly depend, went behind my back, into my sacred space and broke the one rule that actually mattered, the one I actually cared about…” For the first time his brow furrowed, and his cynical expression fell slightly, replaced by something pained, resentful. Then his eyes shot back to Lucifer. “Of course you had to be punished,” he said through tightened lips.     

Lucifer stared back at him. He said nothing, but the muscles in his face tensed, contorting into gnarled expression.

“You lied?” he hissed.

“I did,” he said coolly. “But it was for the greater good.”

Lucifer glared up at the man sitting above him. Not once had he ever lost his temper in his presence. He’d never dared to yell at him, never once raised his voice. But suddenly, the weight of everything, of all that had happened, it pressed his anger into a bubbling concoction that couldn’t help but rise to the surface, overflowing it’s bounds. “You said never to lie… never!” he yelled, spittle flying from his lips. “Thou shalt not—”

“Yes, thou. As in you!” God interrupted. “The rules, of course, don’t apply to me—someone who knows the future and can see what is best,” he said, evenly. “Best for everyone.”

“How do you know what’s best for me!!?” Lucifer cried.

God rolled his eyes, as if pained to have to spell it out. “I know everything.”

“You gave me your word!!!!” Lucifer shouted at the top of his lungs. “We had a deal!!”

Lucifer’s father shook his head dismissively. “Everyone knows you don’t make deals with God. You accept his blessings and pray for his grace.” He smirked. “I never make deals. You should know that, Samael.” He looked down at his son, with an air of disappointment. “As for who will be my heir—well, I don’t plan on retiring any time soon. No need to prepare for such things. But I certainly wouldn’t have chosen you. Not after your blatant disrespect.” He shook his head, incredulous. “You and Eve. Of all things…”

“Eve…” Lucifer whispered the name. It had been a hundred years since he’d last seen her. In the void, he had been so preoccupied with his own pain, that thoughts of her had quickly melted away. By the time he’d left that place, she had faded into a distant memory. But now, hearing her name again, it suddenly seemed to bring everything back.

“Where is she!?” he suddenly demanded, meeting his father’s eyes.

God laughed. “Why? Are you going to chase her down? Ask her to marry you?”

“I… I have to go find her…” he stuttered anxiously.

“You can’t. She’s gone.”

Again, Lucifer’s eyes grew wide. “Where is she!?”

“She disobeyed me as well,” he said, his jaw tightening. “Cheated on her husband. Committed adultery. She knew better.” He shook his head. “She and Adam had to be punished.”

Lucifer stared back at his father, trying to make sense of his words. “Where is she???” he demanded again.

“I sent them both to earth.” God said, simply.

“Earth…?” Lucifer repeated. He’d heard of it before. But as for the details, he knew nothing.

“Yes, earth,” God confirmed. “A perfect place to reflect on their sins. Adam too. He was plotting to kill you, you know. Wanted vengeance after you fornicated with his wife.” He shook his head. “He tried to get his hands on the flaming sword… In any case, he didn’t get far.” He pinched the bridge of his nose in consternation. “You’re welcome, by the way. For saving your life.”

Lucifer didn’t respond… his brow furrowed in thought. “I… I have to find her,” he repeated simply.

God sighed. “No you don’t. In any case, if you saw her now you’d be in for a rude awakening. Aging is one form of suffering unique to their world.” He smirked. “She does not look like what you remember.”

Lucifer shook his head. None of his father’s words were making sense. He didn’t know what to think. But he hated his smug tone, the way he insisted that he knew what was best—what he would think. The way he dismissed him.

“I don’t care what she looks like!” he railed.

God scoffed. “Sure you don’t.”

“How could you do this?” he cried. “How could you leave me there?? In that empty void?? For a hundred years?? How could you do this to Eve?? To the woman… to the woman I love!!”     

At this God paused, looking pityingly down at his son. “You didn’t love her,” he said with calm assurance. “If you had you, you would have gotten her…”—he suddenly seemed to stop himself. “You wouldn’t have chosen to leave,” he quickly corrected. “You didn’t love her. You loved spiting me. You loved freedom…” He sighed. “One day you will know what love really is. One day you will choose your love of her over your hatred—your obsession—with me.” He leaned back in his throne. “But you’re not ready for that yet. Not mature enough. You’re still just overly preoccupied with me. Defining yourself by me. That’s why you chose to leave her.”

“I chose… I chose??” Lucifer cried out, his face red with fury. “I had no choice! You were the one who sent me away!! Who sent me to that… universe!!” His expression contorted as the thought of that place, the horror of it, came flooding back.

There was a pause, as Lucifer’s father looked him dead in the eye. “You always have a choice,” he said evenly.  

At this, Lucifer’s lips suddenly tensed. He stared directly at his father.

Suddenly, God’s face went blank—revealing a rare look of surprise.

Unbeknownst to Lucifer, for the first time in his life, his eyes had suddenly flashed red.

Yet, as quickly as it had come, God’s expression calmed, morphing into an amused grin.

“You gave me no choice!!!!” Lucifer roared. “You never gave any of us any choice!” He stepped adamantly toward his father’s throne, as though preparing to march up to it, as though ready to attack him with his bare hands. “You lied about free will!!! You manipulated us! All of us—my siblings and I. And you left her in that garden for a hundred years!!!”

“I left her??” God suddenly interjected. “Were you really any better? Tell me, why was your big act of rebellion sleeping with her, instead of flying her over the wall?” He looked down at him pointedly, before shaking his head, his eyes narrowed. “You were self-centered and insolent. And, you betrayed me…” Suddenly, the anger in his eyes faded somewhat, replaced by something pained. “I… I thought you would do better.” He let out a huff of frustration, before turning to look him directly in the eye. “I never should have favored you all those years. You truly are a failure.”   

Lucifer stared back at his father. Hearing the words, so calmly, simply, fall from his lips, it was as if everything that he was, everything he knew himself to be, had all just shattered into a million pieces. He froze, unable to speak. Unconsciously, he scanned his face—the deep blue eyes that had once looked warmly, lovingly down at him, the long white robe, so comfortably familiar, his withered, tired face. He clenched his jaw, a lump forming in his throat.

God buried his face in his hands, as though the conversation had exhausted him. “You…” he said quietly, not looking him in the eye. “You have disappointed me…” he said slowly. “But you have been punished enough. You may go.”

Lucifer didn’t move. He was still frozen in place, his lip twitching.

“I said you may go!” He repeated, anger entering his voice. When Lucifer still didn’t budge, he raised a hand, giving it a short wave.

Lucifer found himself on the bed of his room, his mother’s light waning as day melted into night.

He shot up.

He swallowed. His chest was heaving with fervor, and yet his brow furrowed in thought, as though still trying to make sense of what had happened. He stared off into the distance, his father’s words echoing repeatedly through his mind: “Failure,” and “You always have a choice…” Lucifer grit his teeth.

He had been betrayed. Lied to. By the one being he thought would never tell a lie.

He had broken his promise.

Lucifer’s hands clenched into fists. “If he won’t give me what he owes willingly…” he muttered fiercely to himself, “then I will take it.”

He bolted out of bed, running to Azrael’s room. Without bothering to knock, he threw open the door.

“Lucifer!” She was sitting in front of her mirror, but when he came in she quickly rose.

Lucifer didn’t stop to explain; he simply tightly grabbed hold of her wrist.

“Come with me,” he said. His tone was low, demanding.

“Where??” Azrael asked, her eyes wide with alarm. “Where are we going??”

“Somewhere we can talk. Where he can’t hear us…” he said through clenched teeth. And then, lower, “Someplace we can plan…”

“What? Why?? And where’s that??” Azrael demanded anxiously.

Lucifer didn’t answer. He simply looked back at her, fiercely, fire flashing through his eyes.

Azrael met his gaze. “No…” she whispered. He didn’t have to say it. She knew where he was taking her. “After all that’s happened??”

Lucifer nodded.

“Are you serious??” she asked, shaking her head.

“I am always serious!!” Lucifer suddenly yelled at the top of his lungs. He let out a sharp breath. “I always say what I mean. And I never lie!”

THE END

Epilogue  

Lucifer was eventually able to convince Azrael to join his cause. Over the following months, the two of them got to work—making their way through the cherubim, finding those that had an axe to grind, or who were creative and brave enough to imagine something different from the world they’d always known. In the end, they pieced together a small army of over a hundred. Meanwhile, Azrael made weapons to arm them—nothing as effective as the flaming sword, of course. That was a rare feat, and hard to reproduce. Plus, Lucifer and Azrael always felt they were working against time—against the moment when, despite being in the garden, Father’s omniscience would find them out.

On the day they attacked, he seemed to be unaware. Or maybe he’d just planned it to appear that way—with him, it was always hard to know. Armed to the teeth with powerful weapons, they made it to God’s tower, successfully burning it to the ground. Of course, after that exuberant moment—that sweet, tantalizing taste of success—everything ended. The Lord God, in all his omnipotent glory, crushed their tiny, insignificant army like the ants they were.

As leader of the rebellion, Lucifer was kicked out of heaven and condemned to rule hell for all eternity. The cherubim who partook went with him, forming his workforce, as such. For her role as subordinate, Azrael was named the “Angel of Death,” forced to meet humans at their very worst moments, to witness their suffering as they bled to death, died of horrible diseases, or simply tried to call out the people they loved, unaware that their soul had already left their body.

All of this continued for millennia.

Until one day, Lucifer decided to take a vacation…