Chapter 15 — What is this?
Fallon:
I don’t understand this harsh weight that I’m feeling inside of my chest as I look down at the human girl’s fragile form. When I found her in that dank cell with her broken body struggling to breathe, I felt this strong sense of loss. I don’t know why I feel this way. Hell, I don’t know why I feel anything at all. She’s human, and I should not care if she dies—but I do.
Bile collects in my throat as the feeling of her anguish fills my veins. But I don’t stop until her body is completely healed and cleansed of its unwashed state. Stumbling back, I blink until the pain and darkness recede to the fringes of my mind. The pain is still there, but it’s tolerable. Thankfully, it wasn’t as bad as we thought. She was not well, but she wasn’t too far gone.
As soon as she takes a steadying breath, all of the tension leaves my body. Eyes narrowed, I clench my teeth and watch as she sits up from the bed and warily looks around.
Once her eyes meet mine, they lose their confused haze and sharpen with anger. I watch, conflicted, as she scurries up on the bed and faces me. “You left me there. You left me there to die.” She croaks out.
Hardening my expression, I pick her up from the bed and pull her against me. “You should mind your manners with me, little human.”
She tightens her lips and grits out. “I’m not one of your underlings, asshole.”
To my shock, she extends her palm back and strikes me. Chest heaving, I growl and slam my lips down on hers. It’s an intense, devastatingly delicious and angry kiss. As my tongue meets her and our breaths mingle, I bite her bottom lip and release a tortured groan.
I don’t think as I pull her closer and slide between her legs. I just want to devour her.
Clinging tightly to me, she wraps her legs around me and grinds her hot center against mine. I’m about to slip my hand between her thighs when she stiffens beneath me. Before I can ask what is wrong, she pushes me away from her and rolls to the other side of the bed.
Jaw tight, I rise up on my haunches and mutter. “I didn’t say we could stop, human.”
She crosses her arms in front of her chest and scoffs. The nightshirt that one of Lilith’s maids slipped her into rides up her firm thighs.
“I’m not having sex with you, and stop calling me human. You know my name.”
My lip curls contemptuously. “I refuse to call you by that bile name. Who names their sodding child, Bree? That’s grotesque.”
Her mouth falls open with outrage. “It’s short for Brielle, you dick! And it’s no worse than being called Fallon. I mean, whoever named Lucifer’s son, Fallon must have had a strong sense of irony.”
Smirking with amusement, I rest comfortably on the bed and close my eyes. “I prefer Brielle,” I say as I look at her from the corner of my eyes. “And don’t act so bloody wounded. It’s not like you weren’t grinding your delicious body against mine.”
Brielle crosses her arms and huffs with indignation. “Well, regardless of that, I’m not going to have sex with you.”
I shrug. “Very well, I’ll just sate myself somewhere else. I’m sure there are—”
A whoosh escapes my lips as one of my pillows crashes against my face. “You jerk! I hate you!” she yells heatedly.
Rising up from the bed, I remove my jumper and slacks. Brielle watches me intently, her eyes growing hooded as they track my frame. I arch a daring brow at her daring stare, which makes her blush and turn her back to me. “Don’t desire me, do you?” I mutter mockingly. “Perhaps you should tell that to your eyes. You were practically devouring me with them.”
She sputters in reply, but I’m already walking away. “Where are you going?” she calls out.
“I’m going to bathe. You’re welcome to join me.” I call out over my shoulder.
Without another word, I stride toward the large bathing chamber with its amazing appliances. I might dislike humans and wish them out of existence, but I have to say they have very creative ways of living. As Lilith called it, the bathroom is large, with white tiles laid out cleanly across the walls and floor. It has a large tub and shower with various waterfall settings that I’ve quite enjoyed. Stepping forward, I slip out of my boxer briefs and open the large, glass shower door. I don’t look back or acknowledge Brielle’s presence, but I can sense her presence as I step inside of the shower stall and turn the waterspouts.
Standing beneath the cascading water, I push my hair back and let the drops rain down on me.
“Who changed me out of my clothes?” she stands on the other side of the shower door like a blurry shade. I look through the mist and wipe the glass door to get a better look at her. “If you’re asking me if I molested you while you were incapacitated, I didn’t. One of Lilith’s female slaves changed you out of your soiled garments.”
She snorts. “And I’m sure you watched as she did it?”
Sneering scornfully, I shake my head and open the shower door. “Just look at me, luv. Do I look like I need to resort to molesting insentient females to get attention?”
She looks away swiftly, but not before she gets a minor glimpse of my masculine frame. The scent of her desire is heady and makes me react strangely. I’m not used to feeling emotions. Especially this deep desire I keep feeling for this creature. “God, you’re so arrogant. You’re nothing like my Fallon,” She mumbles morosely.
Stomping forward, I take her arm and pull her back into the shower with me. A squeal of outrage escapes her lips as she tries to escape my grasp. “You need to stop referring to me as if I was yours, luv. I belong to no woman. Most especially, not a human one.”
Brielle pushes her sodden hair back and glares. But I’m too distracted with how the wet shirt clings to every nook and curve of her body. “You know you are quite provoking. I should just kill you and save myself the vexation of dealing with your poisonous tongue.”
Her lips pucker into a pout as she strikes my chest with the palm of her hand. “Well, you’re no freaking picnic, you know. So, do it. Kill me and get it over with.”
I look down at her vulnerable face as she pushes at me, and something inside recoils at the thought of hurting her. Pulling back, I ignore my vexation and reach for the soap. Brielle watches me warily as if waiting for me to strike, and I hate myself for it. As gently as I can, I soap her arms and neck, not giving voice to the apology that’s resting on the tip of my tongue. I’ve never apologized to anyone, and I don’t plan to now. Brielle remains silent while I run the bath sponge up her neck. When I run my fingers through her hair, she bites her lips and settles her palms against my bare waist. “Don’t ruin the moment by saying a bloody word,” I mumble against her temple.
She nods her head and rests her head on my shoulder. It’s a tenuous truce but one that we both accept.
Settling my hands over the hem of her shirt, I ask permission with my eyes and remove it when she nods. I try not to make it too sexual, but it’s difficult when her ripe body is in full display. As our hands boldly rub the soap on each other’s skin, we move our heads closer until our lips and nose brush against each other. Water droplets glide down our heads, creating a warm mist at our feet. It’s an intimate moment filled with unrequited need. But neither of us is willing to break. Instead, she settles her hands on my neck and watches as I roll her hard nipples between my large palms. A loud hiss escapes my lips when her tiny hand enfolds my cock and strokes it until I’m as hard as a stone. “Don’t stop,” I mutter breathlessly.
Swallowing hard, Brielle commences her stroking and gasps when one of my hands slides between her legs and slips inside her slippery folds. Her breathing grows shallow, and her strokes quicken as my fingers enter her tight sheath. Using my other hand, I lift her leg and wrap it around my hip. “I…I can’t…” she mumbles helplessly.
I nod my head. “It’s alright, luv. I won’t go further. Just enjoy this.” She gives me a shy nod as she grinds against my touch. Leaning forward, I bite and hip her ear lobe as I thrust inside her warm palm. While I swirl my finger around her throbbing pearl, I lick my way down her throat and engulf her rosy nipple. Brielle throws back her head with a soft mewl and tightens her arms around my hair. Suckling her harder, I add a second finger inside her tight depths and growl. She feels so tight around my finger that I can’t help but wonder how she’ll feel around my cock. As soon as the thought runs through my head, Brielle’s body trembles and shudders with her climax. Giving one last pump, I release a deep groan and come against her elegant fingers.
Breathing harshly, we both cling tightly to each other, feeling spent from the gratifying experience.
Soon, reality kicks in, and my thoughts clear from their sensual haze. I feel overcome and confused. No pleasure that I have ever experienced in the past has equaled what I have just experienced with this woman. Needing to analyze these newfound sentiments, I wordlessly walk out of the bathing room. As I materialize garments on my body, I close the door behind me and take several deep breaths. I feel odd and utterly uncenter, which irritates me greatly. Locking the door behind me, I head to the liquor cabinet and imbibe until I feel my control returning. I know that developing feelings for Brielle would be disastrous for my plans, which is why I decide to keep our future interactions impersonal. I have always been a cold and ruthless bastard, and I don’t plan to change for a mere human.
Lilith appears before me a moment later, her expression smug as she takes in my appearance and settles her palm against my shoulder. “You are looking rather piqued there, Fallon. Whatever could be wrong?” Sneering, I push her hand away, “There’s not a bloody thing wrong. Now, stop wasting my time and tell me what you discovered about Lucifer.”
Hands on hips, she pushes her large chest back and mutters scathingly. “Why are you being so rude, Fallon. Don’t tell me that the little human is getting to you.”
Before she can say another word, I wrap my arm around her neck and push her to her knees. “I’m in no mood for your petty comments, mother. Now, have you found Lucifer or not.” Seething at my dominant behavior, she pulls back her lips and hisses.
“It seems that we do not have to search for him because he’s searching for you.”
Rising up, I clasp my hands together. “Brilliant. Then I shall go out and let him find me.”
Before I can move forward, she grips my forearm and pulls me back. “You can’t go to Lucifer. Not yet. Were you not listening when I said that you had to wait for the blood moon, you insolent pup?”
Seething at her tone, I look at her offending limb and scowl. “Just why do I need to wait for the blood moon? I thought it was only required when I was in the Nether.”
She rolls her eyes. “Because Lucifer needs to be in hell when you fight, and the blood moon is when he is at his weakest. You might be strong, but Lucifer is unparalleled. That’s why we need to plan our attack carefully.”
My brow furrows with consternation. “Very well. When is the blood moon?”
“In a fortnight,” she answers. “For now, we’ll gather our allies and prepare for war.”
“What about the woman? Why do we need her if we’re going to kill Lucifer?”
Lilith arches a sardonic brow. “The woman is here because she’s collateral. She’ll be an alternate plan if somehow Lucifer prevails. He will want to save her because her sister is his mate. And even if he manages to escape, we can use her to lure her sister to us.”
I nod in acquiescence. I hate to say it, but Lilith is right. Lucifer suffers no fools, which is why we need to have contingency plans in place.
“Which of our allies are we meeting with?” I ask.
Lilith gives me a satisfied smile. “All of them. We will meet this evening in the dining hall, so prepare yourself.” She looks around. “Where is the human?”
I wave my hand. “She locked in my bedroom. I set up shields outside the door and windows in case she tries to escape. I took her there after discovering her nearly dead in that dank cell that we left her in. Why did you leave her there after I asked you to remove her?”
She shrugs. “I thought a couple of nights in isolation would teach the girl some perspective.”
My chest heave with rage at her casual tone. “She almost died, Lilith. I thought that you didn’t want her dead?” I manage to grit out.
“Oh, posh, I knew that you’d go to her eventually.”
I want to strike Lilith at that moment. The urge is so strong that it takes all of my energy to not throw her across the room. Fists tight, I take a step back and steadily say. “I suggest in the future, you play no more of your tasteless games with me, Lilith. Not if you want me to continue tolerating your presence. Remember the deal we struck. I won’t be as kind the next time you go against my wishes.”
She gives me a defiant look but does not verbalize her retort. Instead, she steps around me and walks out of the door.
Once she leaves, I head to the library and read through the tomes she collected and try to forget that there’s a beautiful woman in my chambers.