The ride back to my estate was silent, but not uncomfortably so. La Muerte-or Amara, as I sometimes allowed myself to think of her-stared out the window, her expression unreadable. The light from the moon played across her face, making her look ethereal, otherworldly. She always looked like she didn't belong in this world, like she was meant to rule above it, and maybe that's why I could never resist her.
My hand rested on her thigh as I drove, a small but deliberate touch, a reminder that she was here, with me. She didn't push it away or even acknowledge it, which, in her own way, was an acceptance.
"What are you thinking about?" I asked after a while, keeping my tone light, though I was genuinely curious. "Still thinking about the kiss?"
Her head turned slightly, and she gave me a sharp look. "Nothing," she replied, her voice laced with sass. Then, as if to deflect, she added, "Maybe I'm wondering why you're such a terrible driver."
I smirked, letting her jab slide. She was clearly trying to avoid answering. "Terrible driver?" I teased. "You seemed fine with my driving a few minutes ago. Or was that just because you were too distracted?"
Her eyes narrowed, but the slight twitch at the corner of her lips betrayed her amusement. "You're insufferable."
"And you love it," I shot back smoothly, stealing a glance at her.
She ignored that, instead asking, "How's your wound?"
I chuckled. "All healed, thanks to Enzo."
She snorted, a sound that was far too endearing coming from her. "Enzo. Your best friend now, huh?"
I grinned, knowing exactly where this was going. "Is that jealousy I hear?"
She rolled her eyes dramatically. "Jealous? Of you and Enzo? Please." But then she added, with that sharp tongue of hers, "It's just funny to see you being friends with someone after all the glaring contests you two have had."
I didn't rise to her bait this time, just smiled to myself. It didn't matter. She was here, beside me, and for the first time, it felt like we were finally moving forward.
She fell silent again, staring out the window. After a moment, she asked softly, "Are you okay with me?"
I frowned slightly, keeping my eyes on the road. "What do you mean?" Though I knew exactly what she meant.
"You know what I mean." Her voice was quieter now, almost hesitant. "I'm not human, Lucifer."
I let out a breath, then reached over, taking her hand in mine. I kissed her knuckles, a lingering touch, while still steering the car with the other hand. "I don't care what you are," I said firmly. "I know you're mine. My moon. And I'm your Lucifer, right?"
She didn't answer right away, but when she did, her lips curved into a small smile. "You're insufferable still ," she repeated, but this time it lacked any real bite.
She started to say something about the Blaze Heart, but I cut her off. "I know, baby. I know. It's okay. I don't blame you, and I never will. It was my grandfather's decision, not yours."
Her eyes darted away, still unconvinced.
"do you still see me as a deal, sweetheart?" I asked gently.
She shook her head. "I should," she admitted. "But..."
"But?" I prompted, watching her closely.
She sighed, running a hand through her hair. "But I don't want to," she muttered, almost to herself. "And it's so frustrating."
I couldn't help but chuckle, the sound deep and rich in the quiet car. Enzo had been right-she did get angry at everything she didn't like. But it was one of the many things I loved about her.
We reached the estate, and I parked the car. Before she could move, I was out and opening her door. She stepped out gracefully, pausing just long enough to pat my head.
"Good boy," she teased, her tone light but mischievous.
I arched an eyebrow at her, smirking. "I'm not a boy."
She shrugged, a playful glint in her eyes. "You're acting like one."
I laughed softly, closing the car door behind her. For once, she didn't pull away when I took her hand, intertwining our fingers as we walked toward the estate.
The moment we stepped inside, I could feel the weight of everyone's gazes. My men were trained to remain stoic, but even they couldn't entirely mask their shock. I didn't blame them-this was a first. Me, holding hands like this . And not just with anyone, but Amara Ashford.
She didn't seem to notice or care about their reactions, walking with her usual grace and confidence. If anything, she seemed amused, her lips twitching into the faintest hint of a smirk.
She was back. She was mine. And nothing was going to change that.
The elevator doors slid open with a soft chime, and we stepped out into the main floor of my estate. The moment my eyes landed on Enzo, leaning against the wall with an uncharacteristic expression-was that fear?-I knew something was up.
And then Amara smirked.
That smirk sent a chill down my spine. It wasn't the playful kind she used when teasing me or the mischievous one that promised trouble. No, this was the I'm-about-to-ruin-someone's-day kind.
I instinctively took a step back, quietly slipping my hand out of hers. Better to let her focus her wrath entirely on Enzo for now.
"I see you've been waiting for me, Enzo," she said sweetly, though there was nothing sweet about her tone.
Enzo straightened immediately, his eyes darting between her and me like he was trying to calculate his odds of survival. "Uh, la muerte . Hey. Fancy seeing you here."
She tilted her head, her smirk widening. "Fancy seeing me? Really ? After what I heard you were up to?"
Enzo visibly gulped. "What did you hear? I mean, whatever it is, I'm sure it's not true."
She raised an eyebrow, stepping closer to him. "Oh? So you weren't helping Lucifer flirt earlier? Encouraging him, even?"
I bit back a laugh as Enzo's face turned pale. He shot me a look that clearly said help me, but I just crossed my arms and leaned against the wall, deciding to enjoy the show.
"Me? Helping him? Never," Enzo stammered. "You know I'd never-"
"Quiet," Amara interrupted, her voice soft but commanding. She lifted a finger, and with a flick of her wrist, Enzo was suddenly dangling a few inches off the ground, his feet kicking uselessly.
"la muerte !" he yelped, flailing his arms. "This is unnecessary! I can explain!"
"Oh, I'm sure you can," she said, walking around him slowly, her eyes glowing faintly. "But I think I'd rather hear you beg."
Enzo's eyes widened. "Beg? No, no, no. You don't want that. Let's talk this out like adults-"
With another flick of her wrist, he was spun upside down, dangling by his ankle like a piñata.
"Okay! Okay!" Enzo shouted. "I'm sorry! I'll never encourage him again! I swear!"
I couldn't hold back my laugh this time, and Amara's eyes snapped to me.
"Oh, you think this is funny?" she asked, her tone deceptively light.
I immediately stopped laughing. "Not at all," I said, though the smirk tugging at my lips betrayed me.
Her eyes narrowed, and before I could react, I felt an invisible force yank me forward. I stumbled to a stop beside Enzo, who gave me a wide-eyed look of pure betrayal.
"Really?" he hissed. "You just had to laugh?"
"Shut up, Enzo," I muttered, already regretting my amusement.
Amara stepped in front of us, crossing her arms. "Now, what should I do with the two of you?"
"Punish him!" Enzo blurted out, pointing at me. "It was his idea to flirt! I was just trying to be a good wingman!"
"Coward," I muttered, glaring at him.
"Oh, you're one to talk," he shot back. "You threw me under the bus the second we got caught !"
"Enough," Amara said, her voice cutting through our bickering. She looked between us, her smirk returning. "I think you both need a lesson in respect."
"Respect?" Enzo asked nervously. "I have all the respect in the world for you, my la muerte . All of it."
"Hmm," she said thoughtfully. "Then let's make sure you never forget it."
With a wave of her hand, Enzo and I were both suddenly pinned against the wall, unable to move. Enzo started pleading immediately.
"boss , please! This is excessive! I've always respected you!"
I sighed, keeping my gaze on her. "You're enjoying this, aren't you?"
She tilted her head, pretending to think about it. "Maybe a little."
"More like a lot," I muttered, earning a glare from her.
With another flick of her wrist, a small, glowing orb appeared in her hand. She tossed it back and forth casually, her eyes locked on mine.
"Do you know what this is, Lucifer?" she asked.
"No," I said warily.
"It's a spell that makes you feel everything I've felt today," she said sweetly. "Every bit of frustration, jealousy, and annoyance."
"Amara," I said quickly. "You don't need to-"
She threw the orb, and it hit me square in the chest. A wave of emotions washed over me, so overwhelming that I actually winced.
"Now you understand," she said, satisfied.
"What about me?" Enzo asked, his voice a little too hopeful.
She turned to him with a wicked grin. "Oh, don't worry, Enzo. I have something special for you."
Enzo paled. "I take it back! I don't need anything special! I'm good!"
But it was too late. With a flick of her wrist, he was surrounded by a swirling cloud of glowing sparks. When they cleared, he was dressed in a ridiculous pink suit, complete with a matching top hat and cane.
"What the hell is this?" he shouted, looking down at himself.
"A reminder," Amara said smugly. "The next time you think about crossing me, remember how ridiculous you look right now."
I couldn't stop the laugh that escaped me, and even Enzo cracked a smile despite himself.
Amara finally released us, and we both stumbled forward. Enzo immediately tore off the hat, glaring at her.
"You're evil," he muttered.
"And you're still alive," she shot back. "So count yourself lucky."
As we followed her into the main hall, Enzo leaned over to me and whispered, "How do you deal with her?"
I smirked, watching Amara's confident stride. "By loving every second of it."
We were seated in my study, the low light casting a warm glow over the room. Amara and I shared a couch, close enough that her leg occasionally brushed against mine. Enzo sat across from us in an armchair, swirling his glass of wine with an unreadable expression.
Amara's favorite vintage filled the room with its intoxicating aroma, but the air was heavy with unspoken tension. She had brought it up herself.
"We should talk about everything," Amara finally said, her tone light but her eyes serious as they darted between Enzo and me.
Enzo and I exchanged a glance. She clearly had something on her mind, and we both waited for her to speak.
She took a slow sip of her wine, then turned her gaze to me. "Lucifer," she began, her voice soft but unwavering, "I came here for the deal. That was the only reason I came at first."
I smirked, setting my glass down on the table. "And now?"
Her lips quirked into a small smile, but before she could answer, Enzo cut in, his tone far too serious for my liking.
"Lucifer," he said, leaning forward, "if she completes her deal-if she takes back her Blaze Heart-you could die in the process."
The words hit me like a thunderclap. I turned to Amara, who avoided my gaze, her focus entirely on the deep red liquid in her glass.
So that's why she hadn't taken it back.
Understanding dawned, and I sighed, pulling her closer despite her reluctance. Her body tensed for a moment, but she didn't pull away.
"It's okay, Moon," I murmured, my voice low.
She still didn't look at me, but her fingers tightened slightly around her glass.
The moment stretched until Enzo, ever the interrupter, broke it with a dry, "Well, this is touching and all, but we have another problem."
I turned to him, arching an eyebrow. "What is it now?"
Amara finally spoke up, setting her glass down with deliberate precision. "This time, it's the mortal world."
"What about it?" I asked, frowning.
Enzo's expression darkened. "Someone's trying to challenge her throne by creating chaos here."
Anger surged through me. "Who is it?"
"It's not that simple," Enzo said, grimacing. "The one causing the chaos is a dangerous demon, but..."
"But what?" I pressed.
Amara continued, her voice calm but carrying a weight that made my stomach twist. "The caller-the one summoning the demon-is human."
I blinked, taken aback. "A human?"
She nodded, her tone dropping lower. "And not just any human. It's one of the Di Carlo family."
Shock rippled through me. My own family?
"I know it's hard to believe," she added quickly, as if trying not to place blame. "But no one knows demons better than the Di Carlo family in this world. If someone's doing this, they're using knowledge that only your family would have."
I clenched my jaw, the weight of her words settling heavily on my chest. "Amara, wrong is wrong," I said firmly. "We already have enough chaos in this world. If anyone-Di Carlo or not-is interfering with the supernaturals to create more, they'll be dealt with."
The room fell silent for a beat before both Amara and Enzo narrowed their eyes at me, speaking in unison. "Supernaturals? You think we're aliens ?"
I laughed nervously, raising my hands in mock surrender. "That's not what I meant."
"Sure it isn't," Enzo said dryly, taking another sip of his wine.
"We need to find a way to take back the Blaze Heart without hurting you," he added, changing the subject.
Amara hummed thoughtfully, leaning closer to me. Her hand pressed gently against my chest, and a calming warmth spread through me, soothing the storm of thoughts in my mind.
"How can I help?" I asked, my voice softer now.
She smiled faintly, her eyes meeting mine for the first time since the conversation began. "Stay safe for me. That's enough."
Enzo snorted. "You two are like a lovesick couple."
Before I could retort, a book on the shelf behind him dislodged itself and dropped squarely on his head.
"Ow!" he yelped, rubbing the sore spot and glaring at Amara, who sat back with an innocent expression.
I chuckled, shaking my head. "That's definitely her doing."
"Of course it is," Enzo muttered, tossing the book aside.
I leaned back, swirling my glass of wine. "You two are staying here, right?"
Amara glanced at me, raising an eyebrow. "No, we're not."
Enzo and I both turned to her in surprise. "Why not?" we asked simultaneously.
She blinked, clearly not expecting that reaction. "What's gotten into you two?" she asked, her tone laced with amusement. "You went from barely tolerating each other to acting like you can't live without me here."
Enzo crossed his arms, smirking. "Well, someone has to keep an eye on him."
I scoffed. "If anyone needs supervision, it's you."
"Look at this," she said, gesturing between us. "Now I'm the third wheel. How did this happen?"
"Simple," I said, smirking. "You're too irresistible for your own good."
She rolled her eyes, but a faint smile tugged at her lips.
Enzo groaned. "If I have to sit through one more second of this, I'm leaving."
"Good," I shot back. "No one invited you anyway."
Amara laughed softly, the tension in the room dissipating. "You two are fun ."
"And you love it," I said, raising my glass to her.
She clinked her glass against mine, her smile softening. "Maybe I do."