Page 197 of The Bonds of Indigo

He swipes both of his thumbs across my cheeks, and steps closer to me. “He won’t care, Amarah.” His voice is back to the gentle-calm he’s had for me. “I have so many questions.”

I bite my lip and decide not to lie to him. “I can’t answer them. I wish I could.”

When his brows pinch, I know that telling him that hurts. He must also be aware, with my reaction just seconds ago, I won’t be telling Kayn either. Regardless of what they think or feel for me, there are some secrets worth dying with.

“Your father is going to be calling for you soon, son.” Proserpina is beside us now, her weary gaze on me. “I do not know what he will ask of you, Amarah, but you must agree to it.”

Stepping away from them both, I shake my head. “Nothing good comes from kings, or Gods, or rulers asking anything of my kind.” My tone matches my demeanor: unwavering. “Politicians. Greedy men. Deceitful women. You’re all the same. Deals upon deals. Bargains. Promises. It never ends with you people. One thing turns into twenty, into a million.”

When I take in a breath I look up to Lucifer with a pleading gaze. “Allow me to leave. Take me back to the gate with Kayn and come with us.”

His shoulders drop as he looks to his mother, who hasn’t turned away from me.

“He will just come for you,” she offers with a sorrowful sigh. “If you take his son, telling him no will be the least of your problems.”

My stomach ties into knots as I continue to stare at him, waiting for him to meet my gaze once more. He doesn’t. Just simply seeks answers in the side of her face.

“I’m not good here. I may not be able to protect myself in the mortal world, but I can protect you and Kayn…”

“From my father?” he says while finally looking at me. “He’s… Dollface, just appease him with a lie for now. We will go to Kayn and talk with him then make a decision.”

“I am no weak woman. Belial, in Vendra’s world, he’ll bleed. Here? I will.” My lip trembles as I shake my head. “You ask me to… Lucifer. Do you know nothing of my people? Who do I serve?”

“Vendra.”

“I can’t lie to Belial. It would be turning against my God. I am a conduit to Vendra. I am hers.”

“She will forgive you!”

I shake my head and look at his mother. “You know what my people are. Don’t you?”

The corner of her lip pinches as she nods.

“Then you know why I cannot do that to Vendra.”

“Tell me, Amarah.” Lucifer grabs my arms and turns me to face him. “I’m the one that will stand beside you, not her.” His voice trails through the link. “Because as incredible as my mother is right now, her loyalty will always lie to my father and herself. The moment I leave, she will stand beside him. She is his.”

My nostrils flare, wanting to be defiant, but the look in his eyes—it’s pleading. Like he wants that same loyalty.

“I’m her conduit, Lucifer… the title means more than just being her vessel.”

“What does it mean then? Tell me so I can protect you.”

“You can protect me and Kayn by taking us to the mortal world and staying with us.”

His violet gaze flickers with gold flecks, and just as his mouth opens to speak, a loud gong explodes inside my skull. I gasp and clutch at my temples, fingers threading desperately through my hair.

My knees buckle, but Lucifer catches me before I hit the ground.

“I’ve got you,” he whispers against my temple. “Deep breaths… I’ve got you.”

“Lucifer.” Belial’s voice drowns out the ringing in my ears.

I lift my head, and the greenery that had surrounded us seconds before is gone, replaced by high, pointed arches that fan out and converge into soft, sculptural ribs. Above us, clouds sweep across the ceiling in deep black and violent red, and I swear I see shadows crackle through them like lightning.

“It’s as though fate has been kind to me.” Belial’s deep, commanding voice vibrates through my skull. “Which is a first.”

“Tell me what my mother knows but I don’t. Now.” Lucifer’s in the link, and this isn’t a request. It’s a command.