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I huff and roll my eyes, not hiding my disdain now that I’m technically off duty. He’s making this so hard for me, and he knows it, so he can handle a little hatred shot his way. What he’s doing is punishment enough.
I snap my fingers, and we appear on the lawn of my mansion. I’ve curated such a lovely place down here that even Penelope can tolerate being away from her world and the light for a time. Nature intertwines with the supernatural, creating a hauntingly beautiful landscape that reflects the essence of its demonic master.
Twisted trees, gargoyle guardian statues, and shadowy pathways create a place where darkness and enchantment converge. A small, moonlit pond reflects the starry sky above, its surface rippling gently with an unnatural breeze. The black roses blooming nearby are my pride, their petals velvety and deep like the blackest night, their fragrance alluring yet haunting.
But here Lucifer is, fucking up the beautifully dark landscape with the smell of sulfur and spreading his scent everywhere like a dog pissing on another's territory.
Penelope must sense my presence because she opens the door before I can knock or call, only to recoil back into the depths of the house.
I want to smack myself as I reach into the house and pull her out in full view of Lucifer. My wife is in a long, dark dress. One of the more modest ones I’ve given her, thank goodness. But she looks like an elegant ghost, her eyes wide as a deer in headlights.
“I’m sorry to bring a guest unannounced, Penelope, but Lucifer insisted he meet you formally.” I point to my boss, who bows.
Lucifer offers his clawed hand to shake. “It’s such a pleasure to meet you. It’s not too often that living humans have a permanent residence down here or that they marry one of my top demons.”
I give Penelope a nod. She gulps and moves forward, making my chest swell with pride as she faces him with her outstretched hand. He takes it and kisses it, and while I see an unpleasant shiver rack her spine as she takes a step back, she doesn’t reveal her disgust or look away in terror. It’s no less than I expected from my courageous wife.
“Braver than I thought,” Lucifer comments, looking her up and down like he's studying a specimen. “Well, I won't keep you. I just wanted to see you in person and let you know I kept your husband on his throne a little longer today. I needed some extra souls.”
He vanishes with a wicked chuckle and a wink of his fiery left eye, leaving a swarm of black butterflies behind. However, these butterflies don't flutter away gracefully like ordinary insects. Instead, they perform a comical synchronized dance routine, twirling and pirouetting in the air as if putting on a whimsical show.
Penelope watches in astonishment, a mixture of amusement and bewilderment crossing her features. The butterflies execute spins and loops, their tiny wings creating a mesmerizing display of movement against the backdrop of the dark garden.
Just when I'm sure Penelope thinks the spectacle can't get any stranger, the butterflies suddenly transform into puffs of dark smoke, disappearing in a burst of whimsical absurdity. It's as if they were performing one last act of mischief before vanishing into the night.
With a bemused smile, Penelope turns away from the spot where Lucifer stood moments ago. "Did that just happen?"
I sigh. "Yes. Lucifer is a little… eccentric. Let’s get you inside. I’ve missed you,” I tell her, not wanting to discuss it further.
She seems to agree, holding my hand tightly as she follows me inside. We shut the door, effectively shutting out Lucifer and any memory of him.
Penelope smiles up at me, her beautiful brown eyes darkening with desire. “You said you missed me. I missed you too.”
I know what she wants because it's also what I want. I always do whenever I'm within breathing distance of my wife.
With a cocky grin, I crash my lips against hers…
Chapter Nine
Penelope
Two Months Later
“I can’t believe we’re going above for a whole week.” I sigh, my body relaxed from the pleasure Mammon has just given me. “I can breathe air that isn’t tainted by smoke for a little while.”
“And you’ll get to sit in the sunshine again,” Mammon replies, his fingers trailing through my hair. “You’re beautiful in the pool out back, floating around naked, but in clear daylight? You’re going to keep me busy. I can feel it.”
I snuggle closer, resting my chin on his mountain of pectorals, loving how big and strong he is, like he could protect me from the world and my father. I sniffle a little at the thought of the man I once adored and turn away from Mammon.
“Hey, what’s wrong?” he asks, rolling toward me.
I hear the concern in his voice and feel ashamed. “Nothing, just thinking about… The Above.” I wipe my eyes and nose, smiling up at my husband. “My mom was right. All those years, I thought she was jealous of me, that she hated how much attention my father gave me, and she was right. He didn’t love me at all, did he?”
I look up into Mammon’s face, but I don't see the word "no" forming on his lips. Instead, he sighs and traces a long talon down my face. “Penelope, you’re more precious than gold or diamonds. Your father was a stupid man, but he brought you to me, so I can’t hate him for that. I do hate him for how he hurt you, though, and made you doubt yourself.”
“It’s not just myself. It’s everything I thought I knew. I mean, I was complicit in my father’s cruelty to my mother. I never once doubted his word, only hers. I hated when he locked her away when she ranted and raved about what a bad man he was, but I never tried to stop him because I thought he was doing it out of love for me. He told me she was jealous, that I filled his world after she had me, leaving no time for her, and that made her twisted and angry. But all that time, she was right. He was the monster. Not her.”
“You can’t blame yourself for that, Penelope. You were raised to think that and had nothing to compare your life to. Yes, I know you got to watch TV sometimes, but that’s all fake, too,” Mammon says, holding up his hand when I start to protest. “You weren’t given a life, my lovely Penny. You were raised to believe what he said. You should be proud that you see him for what he is now.”
