Saphrielles fall, p.2
Saphrielle's Fall, page 2
I stood and pulled wet hands through my long black hair while staring down into the tub. I was trying to bathe her, nothing more. Nothing more. I undressed, stepping out of my shoes and carefully hanging my suit jacket on a hook. Then I folded my shirt and pants neatly before setting them down on the settee next to her robe. The same slow actions as before, fighting urges that had hidden dormant for centuries.
I climbed into the tub, and the water cooled around me. I could contain the cold that ran through my veins so that the water wouldn’t freeze, but that was all. The bath couldn’t last long.
I seated myself across from her and tugged her forward, so she straddled me. Lifting her chin, I pressed my lips to hers, the action stirring me until I grew hard beneath her. my time of being unsatisfied was nearing an end, clearly. Not that I was surprised that my body would respond now. The mere thought of defiling an angel sent triggers through every inch of me. She’d pay for the suffering and pain I’d endured, and she’d love every minute. But for now, I’d be gentle.
Her head fell forward into the crook of my neck when I released her. I washed her hair, careful not to tug it. Wet, it reached only to the tops of her breasts. I rinsed her thoroughly and once again took up the soap to clean her skin, starting with her shoulders and back.
Leaning her away, I washed the front of her neck and chest. my soapy fingers promptly forgot their duty, and I closed my eyes while massaging her supple breasts, delighting in the way they perfectly filled my hands and the weight of them against my palms. I pinched gently on her nipples the shade of peach that held the same gold sheen coating as the rest of her. Every inch soft and inviting. I lifted her body slightly and leaned forward to nibble on the soft tips of her breasts.
I could taste her like this forever, but I was getting too distracted; too aroused. I leaned her against the far side of the tub so that I could finish washing her. my jaw clenched as I touched her stomach then moved down the outside of her thighs, her knees, her calves, and her delicate feet. Then I circled back up and pushed myself to rest between her knees.
I saved the best for last.
The water was murky with soap now, blocking her body from view. I kissed her mouth again while my fingers searched. When they brushed the soft hair and velvet folds of her cunt, I shivered. I sucked her bottom lip into my mouth and bit down roughly, not hard enough to break her skin but quite close. It took every bit of my control to not slip a finger into her, to not turn this bath into something else. I cupped my hand between her thighs and tried to burn the feel of her into my tactile senses before withdrawing my hand reluctantly.
I licked the angel’s lips. I’d left her bottom lip swollen and red. The gentlest brand I’d ever placed on a female.
$CHAPTER TWO
Settling onto my throne, I closed my eyes. After bathing my treasure the night before, I’d put her to bed, but I had taken my time, wanting to thoroughly ingrain her beauty into my mind.
I’d parted her knees and memorized her folds but had resisted anything more intrusive than the gentlest caress.
I was patient, and if I played my hand correctly, she would come to me eagerly. In the meantime, she still had to wake, and I still had a duty to my citizens. The requests were few today. I hated when time crawled.
Feeling I’d wasted enough time, I left the receiving hall early and went to my northern palace to find Ekrell. The angel still slept, and Ekrell had been seeking out any information as to her identity. I hated verbal reports, particularly when delivered with the sibilance of a forked tongue, so Ekrell handed over a written report. I retreated to my bedroom to be alone but near my prize. Ekrell had gathered the information in a remarkable span of time, and the report was thorough.
Saphrielle. I mouthed her name to feel it on my lips and found it pleasing. Dulcet, as were most names in Heaven. I skimmed the compiled information, and my lips curled upwards in content. Saphrielle was formerly an angel of creative virtue—what was commonly referred to as a muse. They tended to be the most naive, knowing only what they needed to, and since angels did not gossip she would have only the most basic knowledge of Hell and himself.
I flipped through the report to find what mattered most: what led to her fall. I found the section that detailed Saphrielle’s every transgression and read hungrily. She was ancient, and her minor breaches of heavenly conduct had steadily grown to be more severe over the course of eons. Her final crime was related to her muse status; something about an inspired painting, though I couldn’t imagine the extent of her transgression based upon the report.
She must have been beloved indeed to have amassed so many crimes yet received so many second chances. A superior prize. I had been blessed with her fall.
I shut the report, locked the papers into my desk and went to Saphrielle’s room. She remained tucked under the cream-colored blankets where I’d left her.
I watched her slow steady breath cause her chest to rise and fall. The V-shaped gap of her robe taunted me with hints of the round soft breasts hiding below.
She would never know I’d touched her before, but I held back on touching her again for the moment. It wasn’t guilt that stopped me. During my life I’d done worse. I’d killed. Tortured. I’d snuffed souls from the fabric of the universe. If I ever had to pay for my evils, touching a sleeping angel would be my lightest crime.
What bothered me about the situation was the weakness it displayed that I couldn’t resist running my hands over her skin. That I’d already fed my curiosity but still wanted to repeat my action. I wanted to claim her, and that desperation had to be reined in.
I turned from the bed and crossed the room, opening her closet to see how her wardrobe was coming along. I’d ordered an array of dresses made to suit my new treasure.
It hadn’t been easy to track down seamstresses in Hell, but I’d paid a fortune in future favors to get a full array made in a few days. A fair number had already been delivered, and more were on the way.
My hand brushed the many silk and lace raiment, a sea of pastel colors. Which would match her eyes? I closed the mirrored doors, revealing a reflection of the fallen angel, still unmoved. Her beauty was surreal, and though she could appear at home in my elegant palace, she clashed with the horrors of the world around them.
If when she woke she looked out the windows, she would see the grey bleakness of this level of Hell. A world of cold and despair. This palace, one of three, was in the least harsh location and was my preferred refuge lately. There were no assumed fires of Hell, no scorching heat. Instead, the landscape was mostly barren save the blood red vines that crept along in random patches. The barrier around my palace went quite a distance, so Saphrielle would not see any demons within range of her window. If she stepped outside, however, she would likely see things that would cause her to immediately retreat inside. There was no helping that.
Ekrell appeared in the room, accompanied by her usual sooty scent. On seeing me, she flinched. “Was just coming to check in on her.”
“You didn’t interrupt anything.” I crossed my arms. “But you should be using the door.”
“Of course, Master.” She bowed, as if it had been a grand order.
I strode from the window to the edge of the bed. The scene was too lovely. It had been forever since I’d last been able to witness beauty. “The painting described in your report. Track it down.”
“There is very little to go on, Master.”
“Do what you have to do. When you find it, you get to have fun.” I gestured for her to go, and stood watching Saphrielle sleep.
I had a beautiful angel, and for the first time, I wanted to keep her here with me. Most fallen angels got passed around the demons as a torture toy, but I had bigger plans for this one. This one wouldn’t be skinned or gutted or eaten piece-by-piece. This one would be my pet.
$CHAPTER THREE
As my eyes fluttered open, the strangeness of such a concept made my head spin.
Angels didn’t sleep. There was no day or night in Heaven and accordingly, the angels worked or played or rested whenever they felt need to. Yet resting was not another word for sleep. Resting meant to sit still and think. There was no sleep. I should not be waking up.
One glance around the room was enough to confirm Heaven was gone; where I was now becoming one in a hundred questions I had.
Colorful pillows surrounded me, plump and fluffed around me in such a way that I felt comforted but on the verge of being smothered. Everything appeared beautiful, but where could I be that such finery was available? What human had found me and brought me here?
These questions flooded my aching head even as this moment became somewhat clear. Vague memories gave me the gist, at least, but were hardly a salve to my situation. I closed my eyes and swallowed a painful gulp as my arms hugged around my body to search and find exactly what I expected. My fingers brushed smooth shoulder blades. My wings were gone.
I knew this would happen. Knew that if I kept making mistakes I’d be punished. Sent to live with the humans. Here I was. Now what?
I pressed my palm to my forehead. A dull throb radiated through my head in a way I’d never thought possible. I knew of pain. Experiencing it was a bittersweet epiphany, and one I could do without for the moment. I made a motion to leave the bed, or at least, I thought to. Nothing happened. I tugged my robe up to see my legs. Nothing held me down, yet they didn’t want to move. Instead, they sent pulsating, buzzy waves of pain through me. Waves that collided with my aching head and left me dizzy.
Tears loomed, dredged up by the empty feeling of a wingless existence and my pounding skull. I touched the paths of moisture streaking down my cheeks. I’d only ever cried a handful of times throughout my existence, but those were only ever tears of jubilation. These weren’t welcome. The dread and ache lurching through my body weren’t welcome, either.
I took a deep breath and tried to pull forth my usual optimism. My attention wandered over the room and fell upon the window to my right. It appeared cloudy outside, and the sight of vast sky tugged a sliver of longing within me.
My fingers tangled through my hair as I anticipated that any moment my rescuer would come. Perhaps they’d be able to tell me if I’d hurt my legs. Hopefully, a kind human resided in this home. And truly, what a home it was.
A lifetime of watching humans and gently guiding their creative spirits had made me witness to many forms of living. From huts to castles, beaches to secluded forests high in the mountains, and everything between. Humans could make home anywhere and did.
And while I would have been content to land on Earth in any environment, I liked the atmosphere around me. Soft tones of pink accented with gold. What I would choose, had the choice been mine, I supposed. It was a sweet room, by all appearances.
I rubbed my legs and tried to think positively through the pain. Falling wasn’t easy, obviously. It was punishment. But was it really? Now I was among the humans and could live as one. Once I moved past this discomfort, there would be endless opportunities.
Everything would work out. Being human wasn’t so bad. It wasn’t all pain. I knew that from watching them. I could be free now.
I sank back down into my mountain of pillows just as the door behind me opened. Smiling, I turned over to welcome my host.
What had come through the door was not a human.
What had come through the door was a monster.
A vile creature. A demon. And though I had never seen one for myself, I knew this had to be one.
A scream tore through me, all hope dashed and replaced with panic. I’d been captured by a demon.
The disgusting creature snarled and growled. Its clawed hands reached out and gestured. I pushed away in the bed until my back hit the headboard. The demon didn’t come closer, but it kept making those sounds. Hissing, coarse, and vulgar.
I didn’t want to look at it, but I didn’t trust looking away. Thick black veins ran along beneath the semi-transparent dusky violet flesh that was visible around its… dress? Was the demon wearing a long blue gown?
“Where am I?” I demanded. “What have you done?”
The hideous creature bit itself. For what purpose, I was certain I didn’t want to know. It tore into its own hand, widening the gouge and hissed with purpose. A conversation with a wound.
Demons were mad. I was stuck with this madness.
Moments passed. I’d stopped screaming at the thing, realizing it did no good. There was no communicating with it. There was no sentience to reason with.
Currently, the demon licked the torn flesh and watched me as it did. The interaction felt lewd. Its forked tongue perversely lapping at the dark blood while its enormous black globe eyes stared me down. I felt trapped in the glossy orbs. They drowned me and stifled my lungs until I could barely breathe.
Even with the fear racing through me, my legs wouldn’t obey. I couldn’t move. Couldn’t escape. The door opened again, and I braced myself for what new horror would come through.
I screamed out of habit more than anything else. He couldn’t be human, after all. Or shouldn’t. Unless he’d enslaved a—
“Saphrielle.”
I startled at hearing my name from his lips. “How do you know my name?”
“Gossip. We always hear of the fallen angels down here.”
His voice was low and calm, though his face was blanketed with amusement. And that face… my initial assumption was correct. He wasn’t human. His eyes were drained of any color. They were cold. Silver rimming gunmetal that seemed to blur and disorient me in the process. I looked away from him. I’d seen enough. His skin was far too pale and perfect to have walked a single day beneath Earth’s sun.
“Gorgeous,” he breathed. He smiled, but it wasn’t a pleasant smile. It was a wicked one. One I knew I couldn’t trust. He glanced to the demon then back to me. “Look at that vibrance.” He gave the other demon a look and spoke of me as if I weren’t a part of the conversation. “Muted pink and cascading violet, rimmed in dark green. I’d wondered.”
The demon hissed a reply, and its chin jerked to one side.
“What?” I demanded.
His attention returned to me with precision focus. “Your eyes.”
I didn’t want to discuss my appearance. Definitely didn’t want to think of why such things mattered to him nor why he was so far amused. “Who are you? Is that a disguise?”
“Not a disguise.”
“But you aren’t human, and… this isn’t right. Where am I? How do I understand you but not that?” I flicked my attention to the demon.
His colorless gaze followed my own. “Ah. I forgot that you and Ekrell can’t communicate right now. Something we’ll remedy, no worries.” He stepped forward and slid a hand over the cream coverlet of the bed. “You are in my Northern palace at present, within the Frigid Planes of Hell.”
I swallowed as the information trickled through my mind to be absorbed. Hell. His palace. Hell… “No. No! Why? Let me go!” I rubbed my calves and knees. “Why don’t my legs work? What did you do to me?”
“Such delightful music to my ears,” he purred.
I suspected he hadn’t meant for me to hear his whisper, but I’d heard it and processed it. My pain amused him. “Monster,” I said through panic-clenched teeth.
“I’ve been called worse.” His tone now was matter-of-fact, and his expression became neutral. “Your legs will work in time. That is the price of relying on your wings for so long. You angels tend to have shapely legs, but weak muscles. Eventually, you’ll adapt and strengthen.”
Could that be true? It sounded like the truth yet… I glared at him. Angels could taste lies. But I was fallen. I didn’t know if I’d lost that gift, but suspected he knew more than he’d ever tell me. “I don’t believe you.”
“I have no reason to lie to you.”
“Which one are you?”
“Which?” He appeared truly confused.
“Demon lord.” What I knew of Hell could fit in the tiniest bowl, but I recalled that there were hordes of demons, and many individuals had risen up to serve Lucifer as lords.
The stranger brushed at the shoulders of his charcoal suit and straightened his navy tie. “I am the god, Hades. Former ruler of the afterlife. Current lord of all demons and planes of Hell.”
That was the last thing I’d expected, and the last I’d wanted to hear. Hades. I didn’t know much about him. He’d been overthrown by Lucifer, but it hadn’t lasted. I thought Lucifer had risen to power again, however. I thought Hades had been killed.
Either I was mistaken, this being was delusional, or it truly was Hades—possibly back from the dead. It didn’t matter. Hell was Hell, regardless who ruled. I tried to get away—an attempt that landed me out of the bed but in no better position.
I fell in a tangle of the long blanket and the pillows came tumbling with me. Frustration fired my blood, and I threw the pillows across the room at the still staring demon, who side-stepped the feebly flung pink bombs. I yanked at the blanket and punched my lean legs in desperation. I couldn’t be an invalid. Not here. Not now.
Hades walked around the bed and made a shoo’ing motion to the demon, ushering it aside. He squatted down before me. I recognized pride and triumph in his eyes, but I wasn’t giving up.
He didn’t gloat, however. Only stared. His eyes trailed over me, starting at my feet but pausing shortly after. I’d been rubbing my legs but now stopped. I saw the aim of his gaze and accompanying smile. He was staring between my thighs, and I was uncovered. An unfamiliar heat pulsed through me, a sensation both new and awkward. Hands trembling, I gathered my robe around myself to wall off his wandering eyes.
