Chapter Nine

No, I'm fine, I'm lying on the floor again

Cracked door

I always want to let you in

Even after all of the shit, I'm resilient

Cause a princess doesn't cry (no)

A princess doesn't cry (no-o)

Over monsters in the night

Don't waste our precious time

On boys with pretty eyes

Chapter Nine –

Nephele's POV

Lilith dragged me by the elbow as she ran through the corridors towards, well, wherever she was dragging me to. It had been two days since we meet and we had been stuck side by side since, her scaring Lucifer off, if that was even possible, every time he had tried to approach me. It was rather funny to say the least. He would get angry and clench his jaw in Lilith's direction, give me a small smile before poofing, and yes 'poofing' is now a word, into thin air. The strange thing with this interaction was that she always said nothing to aggravate the fallen angel. I did wonder what she had over the male demon to make him, the literal King of Hell, to stand down to her. She could be his secret lover, the thought probable yet still stinging to my loving heart, or she may be his child. How scandalous that would be.

Nonetheless, she had told me her plan, or well our plan now, of how to get me out of this hell.

Pun-intended.

I was to leave in one night, or one and a half days. I would sneak through the castles open doors during the time of offerings to their almighty King, who would be left unsuspecting. Then I would be connected to Lilith who will teleport me, something that sounded sketchy and rather fake, back to my home. She had told me that Lucifer was able to read minds, when the minds had little or no barriers, even stating that he most likely could read guarded minds, whatever that meant. It makes me wonder if I was drugged at that party and was being continuously drugged, maybe with a hallucinogenic. This was all Lilith's idea of course, she had told me when Lucifer would be left unsuspecting, when he wouldn't notice my lack of presence per say.

I was happy to leave this place, yet some rather large part of me wanted to stay and become accustomed with this strange place. I shake the thought violently out of my head, wishing this feeling in my chest to leave, myself coming back to notice we have stopped.

I bite my lip subconsciously as I take note of the large library we had stopped inside. It was amazing, this place being bigger than those cheesy ones the males always present in those romance novels. The vast walls expanded for what seemed like miles, the walls being lined with books upon books, rows upon rows. To fill the even larger flooring, great tall wooden engraved shelves stood, intricate designs and stories being carved into the curving. I smile brightly as I take one step into the room, my elbow unhooking from Lilith's in a smooth move. I was beyond happy as I trailed my finger upon the spines of the section of books I stood in, the books being rather old and outdated. I didn't mind however, finding the story of the Greek God Eros and his Mate hidden on the shelf. I instantly picked it up, loving the story that I initially read within the Percy Jackson series, and since having done plenty of research on the unfathomable love.

"Great. I have to leave you here, don't get into too much trouble, will you? I know you are prone to accidents, but please save me the drama and abuse from your boyfriend." I spin on my heel to be met with her devilish smile, rather ironic since she was living in the home of the devil himself.

"First of all, he is not my boyfriend" the words creating a butterfly to escape from my stomach "; he barely speaks to me and we haven't seen each other in more than two days, after I freaked out and nearly died because of him may I add. Second of all, he kidnapped me. Third of all, he doesn't care so save yourself the pity of harm from his hands Lilith, he won't do anything rash." I speak matter-of-factly, making sure my voice is confident and professional if that is possible. She snorts in relay, rolling her eyes as she turns away and frolics out the doors.

"Call it what you want sweetheart, but when he comes in here, asking for your hand in dinner, know I will be the bridesmaid at your wedding." She throws a wink over her shoulder, my face mirroring a glare as I turn back, stomping over to my book I had selected out like a child. The doors close, telling me of my grateful solitude. I huff, morphing out of my childish tantrum state and poke my head out of the bookshelves, looking for a sitting area. If a library doesn't have a sitting area, what type of library have I entered?

Sure enough, after a few minutes of looking I find the comfortable seeming plush seats in the right corner of the room, a small oak wood coffee table in the middle of an arrangement of seats. I hum as I make my choice of a seat, choosing the slightly larger single seater that was pink in colour, the plush cushioning providing the right amount of comfort for my reading.

I snorted inwardly at my precise and calculated selection, it being petty that here I was, in the middle of Hell. I should be panicking, similar to last night and itching to leave. Except I wasn't; I wasn't feeling trapped or suffocated. I wasn't in a panic and I didn't mind being here, it was calming which was not helping with the rational and logical hemisphere of my brain.

I wanted to leave, I wanted to go home. But at the same time, I wanted to stay here. Sleep in the bed that smelt like the Devil and live here. It was stupid, me acting so foolish and naïve, so dumb. I wanted to scream at myself.

I wipe my face with my hands, massaging my thumping temples briefly before looking down at the book in hand. Sighing, I pick it up and turn to the first page. I was careful not to crease any page, finding the task quote mundane and relieving compared to my mental state.

Eventually, I somehow lost myself in the land of dreams and fairy-tale, the book dragging me away to the mythical world that did not seem so mythical now.

"Nephele" I jumped a foot high when the person uttered my name, my stomach twisting with more butterflies as a weird sensation crawled up my spine. I quickly caught the book, marking the page with my index finger before placing the piece of bookmark I found on the page and closing it softly. I look up at Lucifer with a startled expression.

"Don't do that!" I exasperate. He returns my expression with a mischievous smile, coming to sit opposite me. I find myself smiling softly at him for no reason. I scold myself before returning my expression to normal.

"I came to ask if you would like to come to dinner tonight, I have a surprise." My eyebrows rose instantly.

"Any more information about you or this place being the surprise?" Hope was rising within me, the illogical part of me wishing for him to present something that would make me stay, the other half wishing for something that will help me understand why I was taken.

"Perhaps minus amare" His words made me subconsciously smile, my stomach fluttering once more as he called me little love.

"Oh, please Diablo, if you're trying to 'woo' me into your bed, don't bother. Besides haven't you recently met your so-called mate?" I hum the last few words seemingly acid on my tongue. I swallowed the acid and looked over at him. My tone was playful but I was dead serious. I was not some game he could randomly take from the street and use as a quick fuck.

"No wooing needed darling, I am asking you for dinner not a what you humans seem to call it, 'fuck'. And yes, I have, however she is being very stubborn currently." His words sparked my imagination. He wasn't referring to me, was he? Possibly not, I was a mere human as he would say.

I was not some back up option either, I would not allow myself to be treated as such.

I purse my lips, myself in deep argument with myself. I needed to go to find out information however I didn't want to seem as some girl he could have whenever, although I would not allow him to touch me, ever. Second to that, every time I have had dinner with him, it has ended in me fainting or nearly dying.

A third couldn't hurt then could it?

"Okay, fine. Only for the food though." I hum and stand from my seat on the sofa, patting down my soft yellow sundress that I was fitted with this morning. It was always warm within the castle, unless it was at night but I did find that strange, even though we were in Hell, allegedly.

"Of course, Amare. Only for the food." His words seemed sarcastic almost and I smiled, seems I have rubbed off on him a little.

We had barely interacted within the past two days as I had said before, but when we did it was always awkward and quiet. Maybe the little amounts of sarcasm I had put forward between our interactions had worked after all. Too bad I won't be able to see this progress further.

"This way then." I nod and follow him as he stands, fiddling with my hands as I nervously follow the devil to what could possibly be my doom.

"I wouldn't be so certain little nymph; this food is certainly to your standards." His words flow within the space between us and I turn towards him, slightly annoyed that he was reading my mind, or whatever he wants to call it, once again. It was rather annoying but there was nothing I could do against it, so I didn't say anything in retaliation, aside from the glare I sent to the back of his head.

We walked for a good few minutes, the time ticking by with each step, as it normally should have. I smiled upon reaching a small dining room, it seemingly more private than extravagant that the one I had dined in the previous night.

The space was exactly the same area we had been in two days ago; however, we had entered through a set of side doors which I hadn't noticed two days ago. The table setting was simple; white table cloth with a birch coloured table setting. Silverware was spread along two of the six set place mats with a candle in the middle of the two. The two placemats were side by side, one placed at the head of the table why the other to the left side. It was simplistic yet somewhat romantic, the latter perception causing butterflies to fly once more within my stomach.

I shook them away with every chance I got, not wanting to be the rain on his poor Queen's parade.

I walk over to the seat to the left side of the head seat; however, another thought enters my head before I do so. I smirk to myself and almost skip over to the head of the table, pulling the chair out and taking a seat. I look up, faking innocence as Lucifer looks down upon me. He doesn't get mad like I expected, he however huffing, trying to hold back a smile and possibly a chuckle as he shakes his head and takes a seat to the left of me.

"No words, Little One." Was his response, with gathered a smirk and glare from me. The smirk for his acceptance to my win, and the glare for the name.

I felt so bad for the girl he was declaring as his Queen, she must be so heartbroken by his foul and playerish moves. I find it horrible how his describing this female as his Queen, declaring her as if she was his property and then going and hitting up multiple females behind her back. If you were gonna act as though she was your property, then at least treat her with as much respect, which would of course entail her being treated as a human rather than property. Hence, don't treat her like property.

That makes more sense in my head, also hence why I didn't say the thought aloud. I guess Lucifer would have heard it regardless right, because that is what he does these days for occupation, snoop into others peoples minds.

My smile was fake, it being sweet and short. This was a smile that I had perfected over the years.

Round of applause for how many times I had used it, how many times I had perfected it.

Why thank you, it was the emotional trauma.

(A/N I'm sorry I just...)

I roll my eyes mentally, most likely literally as well at my subconscious' crude comment. It was just a habit the smile nowadays, it being something that I guess everyone has perfected within their lifetime.

I press my lips together and hum, the sweet aroma of food filling my sense as Lucifer smiles smugly, two plates cleanly presenting themselves by poofing and appearing in front of us.

I really needed to find a nicer word for the teleportation of things.

I look down at the plate nonetheless, smiling as I see a fancy steaming pile of Bolognese Sauce and spaghetti pasta. We had this one the night I arrived=, however I did not mind as it was one of my favourite pasta's, myself finding Carbonara to creamy with me often feeling unwell afterwards. I never got tested but I have a suspicion that I may be lactose intolerant. Whenever I did have diary, I was often left feeling nauseated afterwards, with the exception of yoghurt which was nice. I had milk anyway, loved iced coffee and if I were to go be tested, I wouldn't be able to drink that ever again.

Not like a medical diagnosis was going to stop me but the thought counts. Right?

I chuckle lowly to myself and pick up my fork, twirling the pasta before steadily bringing it to my mouth at eating it, hopefully in a clean way. I close my eyes and almost moan - which even I found cringey – at the new flavours that sprouted among my taste buds. This was definitely a different recipe to the other night, which was surprising as it looked very similar.

I finish within minutes as I didn't eat a lot throughout the day, myself being caught up with the plan of my escape, although I couldn't dwell on those thoughts for quite obvious reasons.

"So, what do you call the teleportation of things?" I asked, Lucifer setting his silverware aside before chuckling.

"Teleportation of things?" he questions my wording which earns him a glare. Sorry for not knowing what they are called. "It is called Winnowing, and yes very similar to that book you used to read." My eyes widen at his knowledge. How did he know I read a book that did indeed us the terms winnowing for teleportation.

"She is that daughter of a Goddess, she has known about this world for many years. One of her passions was writing so in this era, she took it upon herself to start." His words sounded simple but how? She was one of my favourite authors, who apparently is now a Demi-Goddess, which is that even a thing or was that made up too? I huff, my brain just swimming with more unanswered questions that will most likely result in more unanswered answers.

I bite my inner cheek to prevent myself from asking a tonne more questions, partially knowing an answer.

"That makes some sense I guess." I mumble out a reply, smiling slightly as I stand from my seat. In all honesty, dinner flew by and although it isn't documented, we had spoken a relative amount. It was simple things of course, like how was your day and what is your favourite colour.

Lucifer follow suit, standing nearly a foot taller than me when he does which makes him way more intimidating than when he was sitting down. I swallow the forming lump in my throat and jump as the plate's poof, I mean winnow, out of my line of sight. I hear a masculine chuckle, my eyes then snapping up to were the sound emits from. I huff and walk to the doors that I had previously walked in, feeling a taller presence behind me which lets me know Lucifer was following.

"If you follow the hall down to the right, you will find the room about a twenty away. It isn't really that far, I just made you walk the longer way so you would be confused but I have to attend some duties now, therefore you will met with Lilith on the journey back." I was spun by his words.

He made me walk the long way, how rude. I was not appreciating that fact but shrugged nonetheless, I was meeting my new best friend – who of curse would never replace Angelina – half way down the hall regardless.

"Okay" I hum; "I will see you some other time then." I murmur as I make my way away from the male. A warm hand grabs onto my forearm gently, the contact between us sending sparks flying through my nerves.

Impossible.

I gasp in shock and silently turn towards him. His pale, full lips were parted ever-so-slightly, a piece of blonde hair daring itself by falling onto his forehead briefly. His dazzling stormy eyes bored into mine, their colour drifting and changing with every passing second. I was memorised by their colour, the ashy calm changing within seconds to a raging ice storm. I was in a state of daze or shock, my eyes roughly looking over his features again and again shamelessly, seeing the things I had previously missed such as a scar on his upper lip that was barely noticeable aside from its pale silver line.

I swallowed tightly, pulling me from the trance almost immediately.

He seems to be watching me closely as well, no eyes of mischief or smirk of hubris. Just him.

"Tomorrow." He says suddenly, standing straight once more. My eyebrows furrow slightly and his ghost of a hold on my arm loosens even more, the contact that was barely there still sending sparks and tingles dazzling among my skin. "I will see you tomorrow Nephele." That was all he said before he let go of my arm and poofed, winnowed away, myself not having an idea towards were he went.

He was gone with the breath of a wind, my lungs suddenly coming back to life as soon as he left.

You are leaving tomorrow, get your head in the game Nephele.

I don't have time for boys with pretty eyes.

How was this Chapter? It was decently sized and more of a filler but at least I had the motive to update.

In other news, I just found out that the guy I was hopelessly crushing on, who happens to be my really good friend got a gf, who is also my friend. Luckily im a good liar and can express my emotions in writing. I am happy for them regardless haha :) no need to be a bitch, just thought I should tell this because honestly, all will eventually be okay. EVERYTHING HAPPENS FOR A REASON, AND THE REASON SOMETHING HAS HAPPENED TO YOU, GOOD OR BAD, WILL BECOME CLEAR IN THE NEAR OR DISTANT FUTURE.

You cannot stress or be mad over things that are out of our control and I cannot stress this factor more.

QOTC: Has the above - (Next to other news) - ever happened to you? Anything similar (Break ups, romantic dating stories - I'm all ears.)

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sorry for any mistakes - point them out if need be x :(