Page 48 of Unholy Night
“I’m still me, Mommy.” She smiles up at me, her eyes mischievous. “But who are you? You look like Maleficent. Just no horns.”
I laugh as she walks around me, eyeing me critically like an actual fashion designer. I place my hands on my hips and pose dramatically for her. She giggles and turns back into the little girl I know and love.
“You’re silly, Mommy.” She reaches out a hand and touches the red bracelet on my wrist. “But you look really pretty tonight.”
“Thank you.” I look at the clock on the wall in my room. “We better put on our shoes.”
Without a word, she runs out of my room with Rudolph on her heels.
I open the shoe box for my new heels and carefully take them out. It’s been a hot minute since I’ve had a reason to wear heels, especially ones that aren’t intended for working in an office. I slip them on and am relieved to find they fit perfectly. I have a funny feeling that my toes won’t be cramped and there will be no blisters on the sides of my feet at the end of the night.
I look at myself in the mirror and stare in wonder. I’ve never looked this… sexy. This dress is worth more than I made in a year at my old job. I look like someone else.
I pull all of my hair to one side of my head so it all splays across just the one shoulder. I only curled the ends and it looks perfect. I secure it all in place with a simple hair pin the same shade as my hair.
I’m studying my eyes, wondering if I should add another layer of mascara or not, when I hear a familiar sound I thought I would never hear again. The hiss and magical whisper of a fiery portal being opened in my living room.
I can hear Mandy talking animatedly while Rudolph lets loose with a string of happy growls and yips. Then I hear his voice in response and my whole body flushes. Even clinging to his memory didn’t do him justice. His voice alone is enough to heat me from head to toe. I check myself in the mirror one last time, take a deep breath, and make my way down stairs.
Lucifer is standing at the bottom in an all black tux, except for the red tie pin and cufflinks. If I was worried about his reaction to me, I now know I didn’t need to be. His dark eyes drink me in hungrily and his mouth is just slightly ajar.
“I told you she looks like a princess.” Mandy crosses her arms, her expression smug.
“You’re wrong.” He says softly and steps forward, lifting my hand to his lips. “She is a queen, a goddess gracing us with her very presence.”
I want to scoff at the cheesiness of his words, but I’m breathless from his hand holding mine and the warm press of his lips.
“Oooh. I like that!” Mandy looks at me, her eyes wide. “You do look like a queen. You just need a crown.”
“Thank you,” I tell Lucifer. “For the dresses, the party, the food, everything. I’ve wanted to thank you countless times over the last week.”
“Had I known you were waiting for me, I would have come running sooner.” He lowers my hand, but doesn’t let it go. His eyes stare into mine, as if willing me to understand how much he had wanted to come running. “I did, however, receive a very generous Thank You note from one little princess.”
He looks at Mandy and smiles. “Thank you, dear. Your words warmed my cold heart.”
Mandy’s cheeks turn pink, but she smiles broadly. “I’m glad you got it.”
“Your heart is not cold.” I smile up at him. “Look at all you’ve done for us, for the world. You might pretend to be cool and calculating, but there is a squishy warm heart under that exterior.”
“You’re too kind. I am most certainly cool and calculating.” He reaches up and brushes his thumb over my cheek. “However, you bring out the best in me.”
It’s my turn to blush and I lower my eyes. “I do have one complaint.”
“Whatever it is, I will do my best to remedy it.” His voice sounds worried. In fact, if I wasn’t listening to his words so intently I might have missed the nervousness. Has he missed me as much as I’ve missed him?
I look up at him coyly and give him a small smile. “You’re entirely too smooth with your lines.”
He blinks, then laughs, obviously not expecting that answer. He pulls me closer so that I have to tilt my head back to meet his eyes. “My dear, I fear I must deny you this once, because I’m resolved to steal your heart. I’m incredibly selfish in the end.”
“And what will you do with it if you manage to capture it?” I tilt my head to the side and hope my smirk distracts from the pounding in my chest.
“What does any one do with their most coveted treasure?” He leans forward, his lips teasing my ear. “Keep it. For eternity.”
I shiver and lean into him. “Human’s do not have eternity, but I’ve resolved to let you have it for as long as it lasts.”
“Dear, you underestimate me again.” He leans back a little and I look up at him, heat staining my cheeks because of my declaration. “I’m the Devil, Master of Hell. And you, My Lady, have magic singing in your blood.”
“Mandy?” I whisper softly.