Chapter 246: Hell's Warning

LUCIUS

The elevator doors slid shut with a soft ding, sealing us away from the stunned faces outside.

The moment we were alone, I slammed Marita against the mirrored wall. She gasped, that sweet, startled sound I was quickly becoming addicted to and I swallowed it whole, crashing my mouth down on hers.

Her hot breath rushed into me like the first real air I had tasted in centuries. I kissed her like a starving man, tongue sliding deep, claiming every whimper. My hands gripped her waist, pinning her smaller body between me and the cold metal as I devoured her.

Fuck.

Centuries. I had walked this earth for centuries. I had seen empires crumble, watched kings beg, tasted the blood of angels and the screams of the damned. I had fucked queens and witches and creatures of the night who could make mortals weep with pleasure.

None of them had ever done this to me.

None of them had ever made me want like this.

Marita whimpered into my mouth, her small hands fisting my shirt as she kissed me back with that fierce, unpracticed hunger that drove me insane. She tasted like sunlight, ripe mango, and something dangerously addictive. My little bird. My fire.

I broke the kiss just enough to breathe, forehead pressed to hers, my voice rough and ancient.

“You have no idea what you do to me,” I growled against her lips. “I’ve lived longer than most civilizations… and I have never wanted anyone the way I want you.”

Her chest heaved against mine. Her eyes were wide, dazed, lips swollen and glistening.

“Lucius…” she whispered, voice trembling with need and shyness.

I kissed her again, slower this time but no less hungry. One hand slid down her body, gripping her thigh and pulling it up around my hip so I could press harder against her. She moaned into my mouth as she felt how hard I was, thick and aching for her through my pants.

“You were so fucking fierce,” I rasped, grinding slowly against her core. “Protecting that girl. Slapping him. Kicking him down like he was nothing. My fierce little bird…”

Marita whimpered, hips rolling instinctively against me, chasing the friction.

“Mi no like when men do dat,” she breathed. “It no right.”

I groaned, kissing down her neck, sucking hard enough to leave marks.

“You’re far more dangerous than you realize,” I muttered against her skin. “So innocent… but so strong. I want to ruin you and worship you at the same time.”

My hand slipped under her sundress, fingers brushing the soaked fabric of her panties. She gasped sharply, thighs trembling.

“Lucius… mi…”

“Shh,” I whispered, kissing her again, softer this time. “I won’t take you in an elevator like some animal.”

I pulled back just enough to look at her, flushed cheeks, swollen lips, eyes glassy with want. My thumb brushed her bottom lip.

“But when I do take you,” I said, voice dark and full of promise, “I’m going to lay you down properly. I’m going to taste every inch of you until you’re crying my name. Then I’m going to fuck you so deep and so slow you’ll feel me for days.”

Marita whimpered, pressing her forehead against my chest, breathing hard.

“Yu making mi so wet…” she whispered, embarrassed but honest.

I groaned and kissed the top of her head, forcing myself to step back even though every instinct screamed at me to take her right there.

The elevator dinged.

We had reached my floor.

I straightened her dress with careful hands, then cupped her face, forcing her to look at me.

“Tonight,” I said quietly, eyes locked on hers. “After work. My place. If you want this… if you want me… say yes now.”

Marita looked up at me, cheeks burning, but her voice was steady and full of want.

“Yes, Lucius,” she whispered. “Mi want yu.”

I kissed her one last time before the doors opened.

Then I took her hand and led her out, already counting down the hours until I could finally make her mine.

We stepped into my office, and I guided her to the sleek desk I had set up right beside mine. She looked around the massive space with wide, awed eyes, still holding my hand like she was afraid to let go.

I sat down behind my desk, trying to focus on the reports waiting for me. But my eyes kept drifting to her.

My little bird.

She was bent slightly over her desk, sorting through the files, her sundress hugging her curves, the hem riding up just enough to tease the smooth skin of her thighs. Her scent, warm, sweet, with that faint tropical flower note kept drifting toward me, hitting my heightened senses like a drug.

I gripped the edge of my desk hard, careful not to snap the wood. My cock was still painfully hard from the elevator, throbbing against my zipper.

Breath…fuckkk.

I stood up abruptly and walked into the private restroom attached to my office.

I splashed my face repeatedly, trying to calm the fire raging through my veins.

When I looked up into the mirror, Asmodeus was standing behind me.

The Prince of Lust leaned casually against the wall, arms crossed, a wicked smile on his face.

I turned slowly, water dripping down my jaw.

“What are you doing here?” I asked, voice cold. “You were not summoned.”

Asmodeus’s smile widened.

“You forget yourself, Kaelthar,” he said smoothly. “You speak to one of the Princes.”

I snorted, drying my face with a towel. “And you forget your place coming here uninvited.”

Asmodeus pushed off the wall, stepping closer. His eyes flashed with knowing amusement.

“It is true,” he said. “The Lord’s obsession with the mortal has already borne fruit in her womb even though we all know it should have been impossible. The heavens are watching and planning so we need to eliminate it before it becomes something we cannot control.”

I stiffened, my power flaring slightly in warning.

“This Lord has staked his claim on her,” I said, my tone leaving no room for debate. “I advise you to refrain from doing anything that will upset the balance.”

Asmodeus growled, his beautiful face twisting with irritation.

“Lucifer has upset the balance by falling in love with a mere mortal!” he snapped. “That will not be allowed. We advise you to gather with us…”

I barked out a laugh.

“Gather with you?” I stepped closer, eyes flashing. “You think I would betray the one who raised me from the pit? The one who gave me purpose? For what, your fear of a child?”

The smile left Asmodeus's face.

“You are blinded by him. Just like he is blinded by her.”

I smiled like I already knew how this would end.

“Then tell the others this: if any of you touch what belongs to him… I will personally deliver you to the deepest layer of Hell and make sure you never leave.”

Asmodeus stared at me for a long moment, then vanished in a swirl of shadow and lust-scented smoke.

“This isn’t over.”

I stood alone in the bathroom, breathing slowly, trying to calm the rage burning inside me.

Then I looked back toward the door, where Marita was waiting just outside.

No.

Nothing would touch what belonged to my Lord.

Not while I still drew breath.

I straightened my suit, calmed my expression, and stepped back into the office.

Marita looked up from her desk with that bright, innocent smile that always hit me like sunlight.

“Everything okay, Lucius?”

I walked over to her, cupped her face with both hands, and kissed her deeply, full of everything I couldn’t say out loud.

When I pulled back, I rested my forehead against hers.

“Everything is fine, little bird,” I murmured.

For now.