Her Forever

The Underworld was more relaxed than its usual raging inferno. The green undergrowth even dared to pop through the blackened soil of Tartarus. Dark clouds also confidently blew over the River of Styx, threatening the sky with rain. The pack of Hell Hounds that had hidden in the farthest region of the Underworld were welcomed back into the Hades’ Palace grounds.

The pack of Hell Hounds now had a home; large barns and kennels resided at the back of the palace property, where they ferociously protected the precious inhabitants of the Palace. Phantom tails danced on the front lawn, helping to keep the wild beasts at bay, and not only did Blaze come to help his fellow Phantom Tails calm the beasts, but he was here for another particular reason.

The children of the numerous visitors were outside, playing in the Gods Garden where structures of playhouses and swings built into the trees resided. They had not a care in the world, just the fun of playing with the other species of supernaturals. Demons, Celestial Fairies, Angels, Werewolves, and a few Vampires played with no animosity towards another, just pure joy and bliss.

The foyer is bright and crowded with both gods of the Celestial Kingdom and of the Night Crawler Pack. Parisa’s family stood at the forefront, all drinking the sweet ambrosia nectar that was once reserved for the gods themselves. Everyone gathered today as an equal as long as no threat was posed to each other.

Mates crowded together on one side of the room while the unmated sighed in jealousy of the love that blossomed. The unmated had hoped to help celebrate a newborn babe, but also if Parisa could see the potential in a mated pair since the Goddess Selene was on a hiatus for the unseeable future.

Meanwhile, upstairs, Parisa was humming gently while Nora braided her hair. Parisa held slightly dark circles, but the faint smile remained because the people had gathered from afar. Seeing them would brighten her spirits. A considerable yawn came from her plump lips, and Hades walked towards her, holding the newborn baby.

“I can send them away,” he grunted. “They can come another time when you are feeling better.” Parisa shook her head at Hades’ antics. She didn’t want to seem ungrateful to those who wanted to see the newborn that was just born yesterday; she had just hoped they would wait a few more days. Just because it was her third child didn’t mean she had the whole motherhood deal in, ‘the bag.”

“No, no,” she waved as another yawn escaped her. “I don’t want them to be disappointed. Besides, it isn’t every day you have a baby with the Devil.” Parisa chortled as she stood up. Nora pulled back the black, slim-fitting gown with dark red rubies adorning the waist. Being a goddess had its perks; she didn’t even look pregnant just the day before.

“We have two others,” Hades said, disgruntled. “It isn’t even like it is the first.” Their eldest son walked in, looking ever so much like his father in a dark black suit. He pulled at his sleeves at the especially fit suit. A habit he liked to exhibit when he was nervous.

“Aw, Luci, what’s wrong?” Lucifer was 25 years old; unlike his father and mother, he was born with wispy brown hair but took his mother’s emerald eyes. The smile was definitely of his father’s and not to mention the s****l allure he had when he walked. If there could have been a God of beauty, it would have been him. However, he was not.

After thirteen, they quickly figured out what he was the God of.

Torture and destruction.

The fates had grown the power through Hades’ genes and passed it along to his son. If he wasn’t raised right by his parents, who knows what type of destruction he would bring.

Parisa worried every day for her son. She had hoped he would have inherited her empath abilities or something of the sort, but that wish didn’t happen. “Come here, Lucifer,” Parisa held out her arms to her son, who over towered her just like his father. He embraced the only woman he swore to himself he would ever touch or love.

Lucifer loved his mother and would do anything to please her, yet the hatred in his heart for others grew. He hated women that came on to him the most. Demon women of hell had tried to lure their way to his bed. Lucifer had killed so many demon women his poor father would spend days by the Soul Pool and revive them. A mate was not in the cards for him, he thought. Even though his mother would do her best to give him the perfect match, she worried even he might be mateless.

“Cheer up, baby,” Parisa kissed his hand since she couldn’t reach his cheek. “They will be gone after they see your sister.” Parisa looked around the room. Hades was cradling his daughter, cooing at her, not looking like the Devil. “Where is your younger brother?” Lucifer rolled his eyes. His younger brother, Loki, was the mischief-maker. That was apparent when he was just 3 years old.

Loki squealed and ran into the room; the 10-year-old had whipped cream on his hand and licked it quickly so his parents couldn’t see.

“Hi, Luci!” Loki yelled, sliding effortlessly under his mother’s vanity. Lucifer gritted his teeth. He hated that name. If Loki wasn’t 10 years old, he would have socked him in the face.

“What are you doing!?” Parisa snapped. “Get up here and look presentable.” Loki straightened his suit, licking the remaining bit of whipped cream from his fingers. “The cake is good,” he chirped.

“Nora might be mad, though.”

Hades lifted Loki with a wave of his hand; he now hovered in front of Hades with an evil smirk. “Do you need to spend some time with your aunt Demeter in Tartarus?” Hades warned.

Loki shook his head frantically. Hades had already taken Loki to Tartarus for a field trip of sorts. He had to show his son what exactly his father did and what he was capable of. Since that day, Loki stayed clear of any of the judgment chairs or the grounds of the west that held the land of screams.

Lucifer grinned, fisting his hand with his palm. He liked the souls screaming for mercy, for he knew those evils deserved it. It had become his new playground, testing new and merciless tortures that involved physical pain and mental. Demeter was especially his favorite, dangling a life-like vision of Persephone in front of her over and over. Only for Demeter to wail in despair that she could no longer touch her beloved daughter.

It served her right to try and separate his parents. Parisa was the best mother he could have ever prayed for.

“Now that’s enough, let’s go to the entrance; people are waiting on us.” Hades continued to carry the baby girl, their last child. Hades was tired of sharing his mate, but Parisa wanted a daughter so badly and couldn’t give up until his mate was sated. Even with his jealousy, he was happy to have his children. After all, he thought there would be no little spawns of the Devil for most of his life.

Parisa had an arm linked with Hades while the two boys followed; Loki smirked at Lucifer. Lucifer knew that look, he had something planned, and it wasn’t going to be good. Lucifer entered Loki’s mind and pried to see what he was up to. That was something Lucifer was quite good at. Finding the fears of others but another treasure he unlocked was finding the sins they were about to commit.

Lucifer narrowed his eyes at Loki. Once Loki realized what his brother had done, he shoved the plan away. It would have been good too; Uncle Vulcan’s daughter deserved a pie to the face when she ‘accidentally’ tripped into the dessert table. Mercy was just a pain in the a*s to Loki.

The prideful couple walked to the large balcony, overlooking the gods, goddesses, and the rest of the hand-picked supernaturals invited to the announcement. The quiet stillness fell over the entire crowd while they looked up to the King and Queen of the Underworld. Parisa nudged Hades to say something but only rolled his eyes.

“You announce it, Flower.” He tried to bat his eyes to get her to listen, but she huffed in disagreement.

“You are king! Why should I do it?” She hissed.

“I’m holding the baby; I don’t want to wake her.” The baby purred in his chest; Parisa instantly cooed at the thought that she could have werewolf b***d in her daughter’s body. However, this would never happen because Gods b***d was too strong. She would more than likely become the goddess of animals or the sorts.

“Fine,” she huffed. “But you will rub my feet in the tub tonight.”

Hades grinned, thinking he won the argument. “But no funsies until it’s completed.” Hades scowled again while the crowd took a few steps back.

“Thank you all for coming,” Parisa announced as queenly as she should. “It is an honor to have you all in our presence as we announce the birth of our….” Parisa paused for effect. “Daughter.”

The crowd oohed and awed over the baby, making sure to be extra quiet when Hades put his finger to his lips. The baby gripped hold of Hades’ jacket and snuggled deeper. “Our daughter will now be known as Lilith, princess of the Underworld.” Light claps paraded around.

Parisa glanced at the couples, Vulcan, Ares, Hermes, Her parents, and even Michael, her brother, present with his mate. The warm feeling she felt from her empath abilities revitalized her soul. The circles under her eyes instantly vanished, feeling energized. Before she could continue with her speech, she saw a girl, maybe a woman who was as short as her, out of the corner of her eye. It captured her attention since most of the magical creatures were tall. Her wings were small, white, with hints of gold on the tips. The chestnut hair flowed effortlessly down her back, curling at the ends. A small tiny golden string attached to the front of her dress was gliding upward.

Parisa clutched the railing, watching where the golden string would land. Parisa’s powers had grown over the past twenty-five years. Mates no longer had to touch each other to find out if they were a match; she could now follow the tiny string with her eyes and find the other person’s mate if they were in the room. Parisa’s eyes widened; the string-led up the stairs and straight onto her son Lucifer’s heart.

“Oh, ship,” she muttered under her breath. Hades’ eyebrow raised in confusion. “Please, everyone, enjoy the food. Everyone will be able to gaze at Lilith when we come down.” Parisa announced. Pulling on Hades’ arm, she hurried down the stairs to find this hybrid mate that Parisa had seen for her son. Hades only grunted at his mate’s antics; he knew exactly what she was doing. Only this time, he didn’t think it would be for his son.

On further inspection, Parisa strolled up to the girl who was picking up small pieces of shrimp and honeydew flowers. Drizzling everything in honey. How peculiar. “Excuse me,” Parisa tapped gently on the woman’s shoulder. The girl’s eyes glittered with excitement turning around quickly. Her eyes were bright gold, matching the smaller wings on her back.

“I don’t believe I have met you before; what is your name?” Parisa held out her hand to shake. They were both the same size and gave Parisa a more welcoming feeling, not the only short goddess in the room.

“My name is Uriel,” her sweet voice sang. “I’ve never been to one of these functions before, so I’m sorry I don’t know anyone.” Her voice dipped lower, indicating her disappointment. Uriel quickly cheered up and smiled. “But I’m here now, and that’s great.” Parisa liked her already for her cheery attitude, but who was she really?

“Who are your parents? Surely we know them?” Hades wasn’t paying attention; he was giving Lillith a bottle of pumped breast milk to his daughter and swaying her back a forth. “The Goddess Hera and Head Angel Michael,” her voice returned with excitement. “They weren’t able to come, so they sent me.”

“That’s a shame,” Parisa shook her head, showing slight displeasure. She was distraught that Hera and Michael never told anyone she had a daughter. Uriel’s presence was indeed a surprise, especially to the Parisa, who is to mate everyone. Why would they have hidden her for so long?

“How old are you, dear?” Parisa pried again.

“24,” Uriel popped a gooey flower in her mouth. “Mother and Father are at home, waiting for a baby,” Uriel filled her plate with more honey.

Twenty-four years, hiding their child from everyone. What the heck for?

“Oh, I didn’t know they were pregnant,” Parisa added quickly.

“Pregnant?” Uriel tilted her head, not understanding the word. “No, no, they are waiting for the stork to bring me a new brother or sister. They said it could be months, but they didn’t want to leave and sent me out because they said my presence might scare the stork off.”

Hades turned his head in astonishment while Parisa stopped breathing. “Who is this woman’s mate? I feel sorry for him,” Hades mind-linked Parisa.

“Our son, Lucifer.” Parisa swallowed the wad of spit that gathered in her throat.

“F**k.” Hades’ eyes didn’t leave the innocent eyes of the girl.

“What did you say you are the goddess of?” Hades’ gruff voice startled Uriel, who looked she was about to cry.

“Innocence and grace?” Uriel questioned herself.

Lucifer, the God of torture and destruction, was now paired with the Goddess of Innocence.

No wonder her wings were tiny and had child-like features. What a pair this would make.

Parisa shrugged her shoulders and tugged on the string. Hades grabbed her arm quickly, leaving the baby bottle to float in the air.

“Don’t do this,” Hades whispered harshly. “This will be nothing but a mess.”

“I have to do my job. I don’t go to your work and tell you how to judge people. Besides, no funsies if you don’t let me.” Parisa gave the l*p that Hades couldn’t say no to. Sighing and pinching his nose, he nodded. “This will be a s**t show.”

“Shh, don’t talk like that around the baby,” Parisa scolded him again. Uriel continued to eat and wiggle her wings every time she took a bite of the honey-drenched anything. Shaking her head, she pulled at the string connected to Lucifer.

Lucifer’s head shook with annoyance; he was still standing on the large landing at the top of the stairs. He had the sudden urge to mingle among the guests. Rolling his eyes, he followed his intuition. His feet landed in front of his mother, who was smiling brightly at a small girl facing her. Lucifer’s annoyance was already building while stepping closer to his mother and father. They were intently speaking with his new annoyance.

“Mother,” Lucifer spoke in his deep velvet voice. Parisa looked upward and smiled brightly at her son. “Honey, I would like to introduce you to someone.” Lucifer’s jaw ticked; he knew his mother understood of his reluctance to women. He had not touched one in all the 25 years of his life, and she knew his wishes. However, if his mother wanted to introduce him to a girl for the first time, it must be important.

The girl’s hair flung behind her, gardenia aroma swirling around his nose. Her small stature didn’t allow her to even see his face until she looked upward. Eyes gold and full of sparkle, she gave the brightest smile she could give. “Hi, I’m Uriel. What’s your name?” Her voice was out of a Disney movie. It was calming, and his shoulders automatically relaxed, his breath evened out, and his facial features were softened.

Parisa and Hades looked on intently.

Reaching into her mind, he found no future acts of sin and no evil intentions. This intrigued him.

“I’m Lucifer.” The voice made Uriel shutter involuntary. It was then, Lucifer realized who she might be to him. Glancing back at his mother and Parisa nodded her head frantically, but there was no smile, just one of worry.

“I’m the goddess of Innocence; what are you? Everyone has been asking me mine; I think I should ask you too!” Uriel giggled.

For once, Lucifer felt embarrassed. He wanted nothing more than to strike fear in those around him, but with this small woman, he didn’t want to tell her. “It isn’t important,” he adjusted his collar. Uriel stared back blankly for a moment until her head popped up.

“Ok!” Putting her empty plate down with extra honey, she took his hand and shook it frantically. “Nice to meet you! I’m going to see what the kids are doing outside! Oh, you tickle!” She almost snorted and left without a care in the world.

Lucifer was left standing in shock. Those tickles were the tingles his mother warned him about. No doubt in his mind that the innocent goddess was his mate.

Parisa and Hades gripped each other, waiting for Lucifer to say something, anything. A good minute passed by until the uneasy crowd parted, and Lucifer walked out the door and into the garden.

“That went well,” Parisa chirped back at Hades. “It will be fine; you and I did great!” Hades smiled down at his mate and kissed her forehead.

“You’re right; we did. I just worry about Hera and Michael,” he grunted.

The party went on well, and the large foyer was now empty. All that was left was Hades, Parisa, Loki, and Lillith gazing at the mess. Lucifer was nowhere to be found, and no one wanted to know.

“This was nice, the whole kid thing.” Hades pressed a tender k**s to the baby’s forehead that had nestled into her mother. Lillith began rooting to be fed again.

“But I think I want to take care of my mate for the rest of eternity.” Loki made a gagging noise and ran off with a male guard that was supposed to keep him out of trouble. Loki had already been through five the past year, and each time the demons had been revived, they screamed in fear not to be around the trouble maker.

“Maybe later, I can have a turn.” Parisa hummed, gently exposing her breast to feed and walking the baby upstairs. Hades nipped at her ear.

“Oh certainly.” Parisa purred back. “Right after my foot rub.”