Alice sat at the edge of the pool, feet dangling over the side. It had been a few weeks since she’d returned to Earth to visit her parents. They were none the wiser that their daughter now resided in Heaven. It didn’t always feel right lying to them, but she was grateful she was able to maintain a relationship with them. One day they would be gone and she would still be here, frozen in time.
It no longer bothered her that she was now immortal. It had been strange at first, but as the months ticked by, she found it was nothing to be afraid of. Not when she had her angel by her side. She smiled. Azrael would be back soon. She had been given her own set of duties in Heaven, but it was never anything taxing. She helped some of the Guardian Angels watch over their charges.
She stared down the reflection pool. She liked to keep track of what was happening down on Earth to the people she’d met. The ones who had helped Az against the Darkness. All of them seemed to be doing well.
Izzy and Rex’s baby girl was now six months old. Little Luna had beautiful green, gold eyes like her father and blonde hair like her mother. They’d got married not long after she’d been born, in a simple civil ceremony. Alice and Azrael had managed to attend at the last minute. The party afterwards had gone on late into the night. A huge bonfire had been erected in the back garden of Alistair’s house. Many of the werewolves and other shifters had changed into their animal forms. It really was a sight to behold.
Grace and Alistair were running their own business together. He’d opened up a little shop in Camden, selling potions and herbs to the supernatural community. He still kept clients on the side. Izzy had told Alice that the two of them were talking about getting married, although Grace kept insisting it was too soon. Alistair and Izzy had become best friends. He and Grace were godparents to little Luna.
Alice had forgiven Gavin, for trying to kill her. She felt like she owed it to him after the Darkness had killed his wife and forced her to become one of the undead. Daisy seemed to be adjusting to life as a vampire slowly. Despite Neave’s reluctance to become a sire, there were no issues between any of them. Alice could only be glad. She liked the fiery, dark-haired girl. She’d become more involved in helping Gavin run his territory and had been accepted by the Vampire Council.
The two people Alice had become closest to were Lukas and Ella. Both of them had visited Heaven often to see Ella’s mother, Ariel and Lukas’ father, the Archangel Michael. Now the Darkness was gone, they were still working for Hell, but now they also worked for Heaven. She was glad the two of them had found a new purpose.
She smiled. Seeing all of her supernatural friends made her long to return to the world of humanity. She was no longer a part of that world though. Heaven was her home. Heaven is where she belonged.
A pair of arms encircled her waist.
“Mmm, I have missed you,” he whispered, peppering kisses down the back of her neck.
“We saw each other mere hours ago,” she replied.
She turned, looking up at her beautiful angel.
“How can I not be? Knowing you’re here, waiting for me, it’s all I can do to stop myself rushing home to you.”
Soft lips met hers in a tender kiss. It sent tingles up her spine. His touch always did.
“My angel,” she whispered, pulling away.
“Come, I have a surprise for you.”
He helped her to her feet after she swung her legs back.
He took her hand, leading her towards the door.
She cocked an eyebrow, but didn’t ask any further questions. He wouldn’t tell her even if she begged. There was more than enough begging when they were alone and he was driving her wild with his words, his touch. She shook herself. There would always be time for that later.
When they reached Heaven’s Gates, Alice turned to him with confusion.
“Why are we returning to Earth?”
It was dark by the time they landed in a very familiar setting. The street lamps in Hyde Park twinkled. Az smiled at her, his green eyes glinting. She felt his power wash over her and looked down. She was wearing a beautiful white, flowing dress with twinkling stars embroidered into the skirt. When she looked up, he was in a blue, three piece suit.
“Azrael, what on earth is this about?” she asked.
He took her hand, leading her through the trees into a clearing. Someone had strung up fairy lights in the trees and around an archway set near them. She put a hand on her mouth. Gathered there were not only her parents, but all of her supernatural friends and lastly, her best friend, Chris. Tears welled in her eyes.
“Az… What is this?” she whispered.
“Whilst it may not be legally binding as we do not technically exist in the mortal world, you father has always wanted to see his little girl get married.”
“Married? You mean… this is our wedding?”
“I can’t believe you did this without telling me.”
“Mmm, but you wouldn’t have agreed otherwise.”
She shoved him. He was right. All of it seemed ridiculous because they were bound to each other. He’d done this for her parents. He grinned at her, taking her hand.
She nodded, unable to say any more words. He led her towards the archway, her friends grinning at them from ear to ear. Her mum and dad looked so proud and Chris gave her a wink and a thumbs up.
Standing in the archway was Michael.
“You were in on this too?” she asked.
Azrael had made up with his fellow Archangels. She could only be glad he had his family back again.
“Of course. Are you ready?” Michael replied.
She looked up at Azrael. She was more than ready to become his wife even if it was just for show. Alice loved him with every inch of her being. He smiled back at her, radiant as always. He glowed softly, his halo appearing above his head. He had always been beautiful to her. And he was hers forever.
Lucifer lay on his bed, his arms folded behind his head. It was typical. Azrael was allowed to return home and yet he was still stuck down here in Hell. He knew he was fulfilling his purpose as the Devil. It did not prevent him from resenting the fact. This wasn’t what he wanted. He had always needed to be free. As an angel, he was caged by his father’s needs and expectations.
He turned over on his side, feeling anger coursing through his veins. Why had his brother been granted a reprieve? Why had their father even gone so far as to send his wrath to end everything only for it to be a ruse to teach Azrael a lesson? And his damn brother was living it up in Heaven with his human girl. The girl he’d killed and God had brought back and granted immortality to.
He’d seen Azrael when he’d returned to Earth with her in tow. It irritated him no end, yet he wasn’t mad at his brother. No. He was angry with their father. He was the cause of all of this. Of forcing his son to punish those who had lived terrible lives. They might deserve it, yet he resented his duty. He would never be free of this burden. This curse.
Even so, he found himself revelling in his position. He ruled Hell. He was the king. But one day, he would make sure his father regretted his actions. One day, God would come to understand that he couldn’t keep angels under his thumb any longer. They deserved freedom as much as humanity did. Lucifer would see to it that God learnt his lesson.
He sat up as a purple light appeared in the ceiling.
What the fuck is that?