Chapter Twenty-Eight

So don't tell me when it's over

I don't wanna know

I'm done carrying the weight of the world

So heavy on my shoulders

I just wanna feel this love

Even if it's only when I'm tripping I see your face

I ain't doing no one a favour while I'm sober

For the moment I can only hope this lasts

Coz when the high stops then I know that you're gone

Chapter 28 – Long Live the Heartless King

Lucifer's POV (Much requested!)

I stood on the maroon red carpet of my newly refurbished and Gothically decorated Castle Quarters. The rooms which Nephele once roamed had changed completely; everything but the bedroom. Everything was destroyed in the flames that burnt from my skin every few hours but that bedroom. Everything in the vicinity of me would be destroyed, everything I wished to be was destroyed.

Everything but that bedroom.

Her scent was too strong in that room surrounded by the charcoaled masses. Her vibrant lavender aroma wafted almost like snowflakes through the air towards me as soon as I approached that room. The images of her sprawled in those sheets, naked legs and shirt covered body framed against mine as she slept peacefully only a couple days prior, ran through my mind persistently. The smallest and largest crease between her rib cage and her hip burned into my hand like a scar. The softest touch of her lips on my collar bone ripping my skin apart as I knew she was only my imagination stuck in my head. Her delicate and soft hands on my heart as she slept, her hand in mine as she waltzed under the starry night in the hallway, her hand in mine as she ran away.

She was what protected everything – everyone – in this castle right now from dying. And she was what could cause everything in this castle right now to cease from existence with the snap of a finger. She was the peoples saviour against their now ruling King. They were to thank for their kind existence. She was everything that prevented me from returning to my original days; the days where I was choas itself. The days where I was the Heartless King.  She was the causation and the outcome. She was the catalyst and the product. She was the action and reaction.

There were no bounds her power.

She was almost invincible if she were to wish it from me. There were no bounds of my powers anymore, and all she had to do was ask.

But no.

She didn't.

She chose isolation.

"My Lord."

I turned on the heel of my tightly laced up black combat boot, the boot shiny and ready for action at a moment notice. The attire had not changed since the landscape in her mind. I wore the formal silks of a King, the warriors golden and black cape with the crown engraved with rubies and emeralds and diamonds and sapphires; all the riches of the underworld on display.

The black attire was fanciful at best. Something one would only see if they were to meet the God of the Underworld or the God of Death. Both Happened to naturally be me, with half of the latter role going to Thanatos. Regardless, the cloak I now wore was adjourned with even more golden badges representing the major battles I had won. The cape was also adjourned with rubies, representing the level of powers I controlled. The cloak however disclosed many of its secrets, which shall remain a secret.

"Adam." I answer in reply, voice as cold as ice. I feel him tense slightly. He was never good with this version of Lucifer, he hated how tense and in control I was. I loved it. I smile at his action and watch him through dazed eyes, thinking about Nephele's thoughts.

I hadn't received a location, but I knew her thoughts. I knew where she was going to go and what she was going to search for. I knew who she was after and where to catch her. She hadn't expected me to do that. Although she was smart; undoubtably. She knew what I was after and used that against me.

She was a little minx. My little cloud nymph turned minx.

"You called for me." I clear my throat and look at him clearly, noticing that he is shaking. He didn't like this; the power difference between us. He was hiding something from me as well. It wasn't that hard to know that.

He was avoiding eye contact with his eyes darting across the room rapidly, his hands shaking, lips pursing. It was evident regardless of his ability to try and hide the lie in his eyes from me.

"Yes I did." I hum, only looking him in the eyes once before I turn back around and face the large arched window in the now large and separated living room. Previously, my quarters had been small due to Nephele's personal preference to help her adjust. Now, however, they were large and grand – gothic and old in looking but new and refreshing in nature. The arched window overlooked the dry wheat fields that surrounded the Lonely Castle, as the people sometimes called it.

The castle was an illusion itself, warded against the greater public and those who I wished and prohibiting them from entering without my specified permission. It may appear that surrounding these walls was grass and wheat, but instead it was only a kilometre until the city of Gehennom.

Adam was standing in silence, looking awkward and uncomfortable in my presence. He had never been awkward before; he had always been comfortable around me in my more civilized form, yet this primitive version made him uncomfortable. It was strange to think about; especially when it made Nephele more attracted to me.

The way my mate liked this version better made me think to continue living in this form, although it was dangerous. Living in this form for long periods sent most Gods mad. They were more in tune with their aggressive and animalistic side – even if they were not animals to begin with. It was the better way to explain it to those with simplistic minds. This form led these Gods to become ruthless, cruel, cold hearted. These sides were monsters, and not many dealt with them accordingly.

"I am sending you to Earth to get Nephele. Take her down. Bring her to me; alive." It was a cold and senseless order. There was no room for discussion.

"My Lord, is that a really good idea? She is pissed at you as it is, why would bringing her back to you help any of this?" I bite my lip, curling my fist into a ball of pure strength before unfurling it and sighing.

"She will not survive the wrath of her mother once more. She is better under my protection where I can protect her." Logical. She was not adapted to being as powerful as she was in her current state. I had let her roam free in these Castles. She was used to being allowed to do as she pleased. I had not shown her the extent of my powers yet, and once I had she would want to stay here. Perfectly safe and by my side.

(A/N One word for you; Men. Two other words; The Audacity. I am writing like this for a reason, it's a sudden change but you'll understand later!)

"Lucifer, that is a bad idea! She will run away time and time again. You cannot put a muzzle on a werewolf and expect them to comply with you! You know how she is going to react." His voice grows into an urgent cry; making me wonder why he cares so much about her.

"She is unprotected." It was simple; something which he should understand because he has his own mate in the safety of his living quarters. She was safe, mine was not. Did he not understand that?

"You underestimate her ability to protect herself." It was a silent threat, something which led me to believe he knew something I didn't. I let out a sigh, not answering his pointless argument and maintaining my stance overlooking my lands.

After a few seconds, I look over my shoulder to Lilith who stood on the side of the door, leg propped onto the door as she ate an apple in one hand. Her blood red lips stained the light flesh of the apple as she took a bite, her eyes glimmering as she heard everything Adam was saying.

"Lilith." I state, looking at Lilith with a sort of knowing as the glimmer in her eyes reveals that she knows what to do. Lilith will carry out my plan as I please and Adam will remain under Castle Arrest due to his disobedience. Only when Nephele has returned will I decide what to do with him.

At the thought of Adam disobeying my direct order; the slightest of twinge occurred where my heart muscle was supposed to be beating. Turns out I cannot trust the two of my most trusted men when it came to my Beloved's safety.

What else couldn't I trust them with?

The pain past quickly and I raised my arm into the air, pale skin glimmering under the light as I lifted my finger, signalling them to leave the room. I pursed my lips, admiring the shining red sun as it filtered non-existent rays onto the wheat fields that surrounded this Lonely Castle and begun its descent in the sky.

I heard Adam sigh and felt his stare aimed in the middle of my back with a somewhat burning hate. I didn't want to look at him; he had proven who he sat with. Although I may have superiority in regards to Nephele in this current moment, as the future Queen of Hell, she held as much if not more power than I. This was merely an example of it. Adam did what he thought the Queen would want, and wouldn't budge because that is what she had intended for him to do. He was her guardian in some way.

I waited until Lilith's footsteps echoed deep down the halls of my quarters and the eventual the shut of the door that guarded my private area ricocheted in the silence.

Truthfully, whilst I may know where she is, and what she is somewhat planning, I didn't know what to do.

She wanted to do this alone; she had told me not to bother looking for her. I saw the look in her eyes, the tears streaming down her cheeks. I felt the warmth of her body, the smell of her hair. I knew what she was thinking, I felt her thoughts, I felt her presence. She didn't want me to follow. She wanted to do it alone, but I knew she couldn't. She didn't have the resources like I did. She didn't have the power management that I did, both magically and physically. I had connections to every realm known, she didn't. I had mastered my powers, she hadn't. She wouldn't be able to defeat her mother; who has had so many more centuries on her and I in age. Nephele would fail against her mother alone; she didn't have the experience.

I did, and I could help her. Why didn't she see that?

It was this sort of desperation that made me want to beg on my knees in front of her. It was this time; this exact moment that made me want to chain her to the bed and both have my way with her, consensually of course, and not let her leave my room. She was in immediate danger, and she couldn't do anything to get out of it.

I could though.

I growl through my mind, annoyed at my own train of thought and the anxiety this woman gave me. Why did she have to do this to me?

Placing a hand over my face and dragging my fingers over my eyelids and groaning in annoyance, I turn on my heel and march towards the door. With the black velvet cape flicking up behind me with every step of the shiny black boot; I push the door out of my way with a wave of my hand and continue down the hall to my counsel. I was to meet with my advisors about multiple border attacks by Khoas and her Realm of Armies.

Khoas was the Goddess of the Abyss; the eternal darkness before our supposed creation. She was the presence of a chasm of air, an abyss, a vacuum on life. She was everything and nothing by textbook definition. She had been attacking my wards to my realm for centuries, however they hadn't bothered me until now.

She had never gotten through, and will continue to fail on getting in. However, her attacks grew stronger on my wards and magic. I knew she grew more powerful, as did her armies.

I was only getting ready to get rid of a pest.

The only thing you could hear as I walked down the hall was the rubber sole of my boots against the polished wooden floors, the red carpet being replaced with wooden floors in these hallways. The starry night remained. Nothing else did though.

Seconds later, Cerberus appears at my side in his original form; a three headed dog the size of a small horse that grew when it felt like it. I smile at the dark burnt fur of my favourite pet and continue walking into the main chambers of the castle.

I was ready to eliminate my enemy and get my mate back at the same time.

She would return to me within a week; whether she liked it or not.

Nephele's POV

The rain splattered around me, the black umbrella held over my head only preventing the rain from wetting my clothes and not my shoes. The darkness around me normally would have made me feel uneasy, but didn't as I stepped from the pitch-black road and onto the grey concreted sidewalk outside the large house my brother and I had inherited from my Mother. Or what was believed to be my mother. The stiletto shoe was now easy to walk in; something which was unusual but I had gotten better at it in the past 24 hours. The shoe was wet – stepping in puddles and through wet streets did tend to do that – however they were Louboutin from a downtown store I found along the way and therefore didn't succumb to water damage that easily.

The black trench coat I wore was loose, the tie around the waist not tied leaving that black skin tight dress I wore underneath exposed. It was a long sleeve but you wouldn't be able to tell, and the dress fell to the shin length of the coat, making it fashionable to some eyes.

And before you ask; no, I didn't pay for those. I simply window shopped.

My hair was free, spilling around me in brown looking ringlets as the light did not justice for the natural blonde I once, and still, had. Being blonde wasn't anything bad, but it wasn't particularly anything good either. Judging someone's intelligence based on their hair colour was ignorant. People were intelligent despite their defining characteristics, such as hair.

I had been called a dumb blonde more times than I could count on the light bulbs for a string of 500 Christmas lights, and the count only grew.

My Brother, although not on the best terms with me, still would call every few months. Living in my mother's old mansion looking house, even if it wasn't entirely billionaire worthy, had its benefits for sure. You could smell the salt of the sea that was a mere 200 metres down the road in the air, taste it on your tongue. The sea wasn't easy to access however. There was a beach about a five kilometre walk away that was easy to access, however the ocean at the end of the street I walked on, was guarded by a sheer cliff. I had heard of some drunk drivers running of the end of the road and straight into the ocean in the middle of the night in a newspaper a few months ago. The car was pulled from the ocean in the morning, with no bodies but the drivers found despite there being a recorded three people in the car moments before the crash – or flying – of the car by a CCTV from one of these houses. This area of the state had been getting a lot of attention for the 'accidents' that occurred on this cliffside – which spread miles in either direction before it turned into a beach – increasingly so in the past couple of years.

Despite the eery vibe this area gave out, my Brother moved into our Inherited home. We practically owned it fifty-fifty, but I didn't need it and hence I took the investment properties, despite him owning fifty percent of those as well. Legally this house was mine. I couldn't live in them without kicking out well paying residents, so I had the apartment I rented out. It wasn't like I needed to live in them as I could afford my own apartment based on my current salary and the spare income I received from these properties. I only took the revenue from the various tenants to pays the bills and invested the remaining money into my student loan, apartment rent when necessary and the various FTA's I had in the market. I used my part time job with Madeline to pay my Bills and everyday living as there was no need for me to use my investment property money yet. I hadn't checked the value of those properties in some time as well, meaning they had like appreciated greatly as land price in the major cities became dearer.

Flicking my attention back to the real world, I don't bother knocking on the gate through the door bell system, and instead flick my right wrist and feeling the power run along the tips of my fingers into the gate system and totally unlocking the gates for me. I watch with some perplexation at the gate's movement, smiling as I grow stronger in my use of power every day and as the gates slide open. I wait patiently and walk through softly, the only sound filling the air was the 'click' of my stiletto on the concreted ground. I continue walking as the gates close behind me again, reaching the door in seconds.

I didn't know what I should expect from my brother. I had a feeling he knew about me being a Goddess as well, but that wasn't confirmed yet. I was about to find out though.

I approach the door which was covered by the balcony on the second floor of the almost sea-front house. I pull the umbrella from my head and place it next to me, drawing the cloth to my body and shaking it out gently to rid it from any excess water. I bring my hand to the door, red nails colour matching my lipstick and glistening under the light the brightened the welcoming space to his home. I knock three times, making sure I put enough force that he can hear the door. My knuckles hurt from the knock as they usually did, but it was a different kind of pain. It wasn't the same pain that I had previously when I thought I was human; it was now just a kind of nuisance and it didn't really bother me. It was a heavy door, and my knuckles normally hurt from knocking regardless. I hope that wasn't just me.

I sigh, biting into the flesh of my lip as the coolness of the night wraps its tendrils around my exposed neck and shins, letting a cold and wet chill run up my spin. I stand for a few seconds, but grow impatient extremely quickly and press down on the curved handle which opens the black door with a single sweep.

I smile when I find the foyer for his home warm and inviting, the lights still on. I don't remember this house very much, as my mother and father had moved when I was a mere baby. That doesn't mean that I didn't find this place comforting to be in; because I liked being here and did find it comfortable.

Not as comfortable as the Palace but this was a close second.

Throwing the thought from my head, I continue walking. I don't bother looking at any of the paintings on the walls as I storm the castle. Totally not what I was doing, but it did sound really cool if I was being honest.

The mansion was roughly silent, despite the few sounds I could faintly hear coming from upstairs. Despite half the lights being left on, the house was still somewhat dark. I pursed my lips as I continued walking down the marble tiled floors, noting that the kitchen was left with two wine glasses on the counter. The house was an open design with a touch of Italian and Venetian design. The kitchen had an island bench and there was nothing to go into detail about since I really didn't care. In front of the kitchen was a dining table which was a step-down design, meaning you had a few steps between the kitchen and dining area. That was both a trip waiting to happen and a nuisance. That was just bad design there. The rest of the room was not illuminated greatly, but you could make out the shadows from the kitchen lights.

It would have been beneficial to note, that in the living space below the staircase that overlooked the sea with no walls between this area to the kitchen and dining space stood a slim figure in the shadows but you wouldn't have noticed unless you really looked. Hence, I missed a figure in the darkness of the living space.

I rolled my eyes at the mess in the kitchen and walked up the stairs, keeping my back to the wall of the spiralling yellowing white staircase, just in case I was to be attacked again. Now that would be hell.

Funny pun, I know.

I bite my lip as I enter the hallway passages of the second floor, noting the door to the main bedroom was open and the hallway lights were all still on.

"AH." I can now hear a woman's voice screeching as I level the second floor, making me instinctively know what is about to happen. I have been here before.

I sigh aggressively as I walked down the carpeted hall, hearing some very agitated sounds coming from the master bedroom. I push open the door with my fingers from afar, letting the power soak through them. With one step after the other, I maintain the strength to enter the master bedroom.

Reminding myself that he is just my brother and this was going to be somewhat funny and somewhat of a badass moment, I push the remainder of my body through the door. Finding a woman wrapping her dainty – but very model worthy – legs wrapped around by brother's lower back which was thankfully covered by some white sheets, with her hands on his neck and him thrusting himself back and forth, I hold in my screech as she opens her eyes and looks at me.

Mid grunt, she pulls away and drags the covers to cover herself. I smile at her sweetly, before panning over to my brother who looks at her confused before looking at me with wide eyes. I puff my cheeks and raise my hand to do a little wave.

"Hello Brother." Confidence was key here. Remember; if you aren't confident you are not going to get what you want. And right now, I wanted information. "Hi Brother's Lady Friend!" I exclaim as well, giving her a warm smile before turning back to my brother. I step in the door completely, covering myself with the wall in case there was someone else coming after me. I didn't need anymore surprised attacks today.

"Nephele." I quirk my eyebrows up at the name.

"Pretty sure you would know me by Nyx now." I hum, watching his reaction as he lifts himself from his lady friend and covers himself with the remaining white sheet.

"Adriana, leave." It was an order, and she didn't need to be told twice. She left instantly, scrambling out the door with the comforter that was once on the floor wrapped tightly around her chest. "You found out?" I roll my eyes.

"Pretty obvious, isn't it?" I state and look around the room before I walk over to the cosy looking single seater and sit down. "I am Nephele, but I habour Nyx's powers still. It is still a weird concept, don't ask me."

"Why did you come here? You know I would have to be apart of your mothers plans if I were to know about you. It is a risk." I shrug my shoulders, taking off my coat completely and placing it on the arm of the chair, letting it drape there.

"You wouldn't tell her." I state, somewhat sure of myself.

"But I am obligated to."

"You won't." I persist, noting the sorrowful look in his eyes. "You became my brother through the years. You won't do it till I am gone." I smile at him gracefully.

"How is being chased by everyone going then?" He was smirking at me, something that he hadn't done in a while. Whilst we are tense, and had been for the past five years, we used to be really close. I wish we could be that again.

"Lucifer is trying to get me back again. I ran away of course, otherwise I wouldn't be, here would I? I killed Freya yesterday too." I say quietly, looking down at my wet umbrella briefly. I look at him when I hear him laugh.

"That bitch deserved it. I have hated her since day one." I smile at him greatly.

"I wish I could say the same. Mother is still after me though." I hear him hum in response, but nothing else was said for a hot minute. It was rather silent, but that was fine in the moment. Everything was kind of tense, but not at the same time.

"What do you want to know?" I smirk at him as he sits down on his bed, ignoring the need for clothes but thankfully covering himself.

"I want to know about my father." It was the truth.

I knew that by definition my mother was Chaos, or Khoas. She was depicted as He in Greek mythology, and gave birth to her own children without the need for a male in the legends. I didn't think that to be true. I think there was something else involved.

"You have no father." I roll my eyes and laugh at him, seeing the lie straight through his eyes.

"Brother, we know that isn't true." He remains silent for some time, looking at me with a sort of sadness. I don't want his pity yet, I just want the truth.

"Nephele you don't want to –"

"I want to. Let me know, I want to end this war against me. Please tell me." I look at him deeply, crossing my left leg over my right leg and raising my hells into the air. I purse my lips lightly, looking at him under my eyelashes and noting the way he looks around the room.

The room was silent for some time. I maintain my stance knowing he will tell me eventually.

"The answer lies with your mate, he is the ruler. He knows everything that happens down there. I cannot tell-"He is broken off by a feminine scream from outside the door that had closed when Adriane left. I stand up instantly, gathering my umbrella in hand and resting my thumb against the button of the umbrella that would turn into Nyx's natural weapon; a darkened double-edged sword that was showed in a dark mist which was a weapon in itself. I look at my brother who has his own worried look on his face as he stands.

I watch his form morph; his clothes change and his features change with his clothes. I notice that his skin became covered in black battle armour that didn't look too thick but would be better to have than nothing. I notice that his once brown hair is now a dark black and his eyes now a violet. I notice the engraved vines into his chest plate briefly, but don't have time to notice anything else as the door to the room is thrown open by a black figure. Since the change in his appearence and expression, I would assume Adriane was an important figure in his life.

I smile at the familiar face who had caused Adriane to scream. Her slim tan arms were wrapped around the neck of Adriane with a slick silver blade in her hands pressing against Adriane's neck, held tight enough to possibly draw blood. I give a face to Adriane, almost an apology looks before I look back at Lilith.

My second favourite person was sent to get me.

This was going to be interesting.

Word Count 4885 *(This was initally 8000+ Words but I split the chapters up so happy double update!)

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