“I will be forced to marry tomorrow, Lucifer dear,” she said softly.

“Oh, darling, there will be a wedding, but you will not marry anything as weak as a man.”

She closed her eyes and breathed in his sulferous, luminous scent. His glowing eyes bore a hole straight to her soul. She was happy to bare it to him. It was almost his, anyway.

“What demon, then, will an honest woman out of me?”

Lucifer’s smile curved.

“No demon, darling, could ever handle the darkness of your soul. No. You are made to mother all that lies. At my side.”

Her pale cheeks bloomed. “Will you bring me to where it is warm, Lucifer dear?”

“Of course, darling. This desolate, mortal world does not deserve you. I will bring my book at day break. In the light of your final day, will you give me what I desire?”

“It was always meant for you, Lucifer dear. I have no use for it.”