Chapter 24 - Conclusions

Michael:

“Well, this is not exactly the scene I expected to find when I came here,” Lucifer hovers over me, his expression filled with concern and amusement.

I blink my eyes and clumsily adjust my back against one of the kitchen cabinets as I perch on the kitchen floor. “Que veux - tu, Lucifer?” What do you want, Lucifer? I growl, “If you’re here to vex me, you can go back to your mate because I do not have the temperament to deal with your humor today.”

Lucifer walks around me, kicking empty bottles out of his way as he assesses the situation. “I spoke to Valentina earlier. She told me that you were angry at her, but she wouldn’t tell me why,” he appraises the room before he looks back at me, “However, it must have been something truly horrid for you to have gotten so knackered. Care to share what occurred?”

Leaning forward, I reach for a near - empty bottle and gaze into its lip, “It’s her…Valentina is my mate─War.”

Lucifer’s eyes widen with shock as he squats down and gazes intently into my eyes, “Did I hear you correctly, or am I dreaming?”

I shake my head wryly, “Non, you heard me correctly, frère. We had just finished making love when the queen and her soldiers attacked my home,” I wave the bottle around the restored room. “The queen was about to stab me through the heart when Valentina turned into her archangel form and ripped her apart.”

Lucifer is speechless for a moment. Which if you knew him, you’d know it’s quite a feat. If I hadn’t felt so heartsick or inebriated, I might have laughed.

Instead, I slump my head back with a thud and close my eyes, “She knew she was my mate, and she didn’t tell me until I almost died. She lied to me.”

Lucifer slides down beside me and takes the bottle from my hand, drinking the remaining contents before he lowers it and wipes at his sodden lips. “Did she tell you why she did it?” he asks.

I shake my head, “Non, I did not want to hear any more of her lies. I couldn’t bear to hear it.”

He releases an exasperated breath and gives me an even stare, “You’re doing it again, brother.”

“Doing what?” I furrow my brow.

He reaches for a full bottle lying on the counter and easily opens it before he takes a sip and passes it back to me, “You’re judging the situation before you know the facts. That’s what happened between us, and it took us thousands of years before we spoke and discovered that it was all a misunderstanding.”

I tilt the bottle and take a long drink before handing it back thoughtfully. Is it possible that I misinterpreted what I saw?

I definitely cannot argue Lucifer’s point. For so long, I thought that Lucifer selfishly abandoned me and betrayed my trust. He’s my brother and confidant, and when he needed me most, I let him down because of my anger toward him. However, Valentina is not Lucifer. I’ve only known her for a little over a week. How can I know if she genuinely cared for me or was using me to save her friend? The mere thought makes something inside of me want to curl up and die. Yet, a larger part of me, the part that understands our mate connection, knows that Valentina is too brave and loving to do something so horrible. There was no way she could have feigned such passion when we made love.

“What if she tells me something I do not want to hear?”I rub the center of my chest, “It would hurt too much, and I do not think I can handle that, frère.”

Lucifer shrugs, “She might say something that will hurt you, or she might not. You won’t know unless you talk to her.”

He takes another drink from the bottle and sighs, “Listen, Michael, I might not be a love expert. However, since being with Lana, I’ve learned that love can twist you and make you doubt yourself. However, it can also be amazing and utterly consuming.”

He rests the bottle between us and leans his shoulder against mine, “You at least owe yourself an explanation.”

I lick my lower lip, tasting the tangy wine’s flavors, then turn and face my brother. “What do I say to her?”

Lucifer falters for a moment, “I do not have all of the answers, you git. This is where having Lana would come in handy, but the beautiful temptress is at Azazel’s house having some “girl time” with her sister and Zoe.” he raises his fingers and makes air quotes. Then, he looks at me from the corner of his eye and states thoughtfully, “If Lana was here, I think she’d probably tell you that speaking from the heart is the best way to proceed.”

I nod and give his shoulder a brotherly pat, “You’re right, Lucifer.”

Lucifer arches a brow, “Aren’t I always?”

I scoff at his arrogant reply and push him playfully, “Merci frère. I will speak to her as soon as I sober up.”

He snorts with amusement and places his palm on top of my head. As soon as he does, the fogginess of my inebriation clears from my mind, and I no longer feel intoxicated.

“That is quite useful,” I say.

Lucifer chuckles, “Curing drunken binges is one of the countlessly amazing talents I have.”

I snort sarcastically, “That, along with your humility.”

He nods, completely ignoring my acerbic tone, “It’s a struggle, but somehow I manage,” he retorts with fake distress as he rises and holds his palm up to me.

I take his hand and let him help me rise. Before he can say a word, I wrap my arms around him and embrace him tightly. Lucifer embraces me back for a moment before he mutters, “Please don’t tell me you’re going to cry. Because as much as I love you, I don’t think I can handle drying your tears.”

I chuckle loudly and push him away, “Do not worry, frère. I will reserve my tears for our next visit.”

He nods with feigned gratitude and places his palm on his chest dramatically, “That will give me an acceptable amount to prepare. Thank you for your consideration.”

We both laugh, lightening the tension in the atmosphere.

Once Lucifer has left, I go to my room and take a shower. I can use my powers to cleanse my appearance, but I prefer to give myself time to think about what I will ask Valentina when I see her.

This time I’m not going to cut her off. This time I’m going to hear her truth─ even if it hurts.