Chapter 31: 29 - She's gone ?

As I held Lucifer in my arms, the weight of the Blaze Heart pulsing in my chest overwhelmed me. The power, the memories, the raw essence of my being, returned to me in an instant. It was both invigorating and devastating. But amidst the surge of power, I saw him-his body convulsing, his breath shallow. His life was slipping away, and the realization struck me like a blade to the heart.

"No... no, no, no!" I whispered, my voice trembling. I fell to my knees beside him, cradling his head. The man who had endured so much pain, so much betrayal, lay lifeless in my arms. My hands glowed with the same power I had just absorbed. Without a second thought, I forced the energy back into him, channeling it into his body.

"You don't get to leave me," I choked out, my voice breaking. "Not like this ." For the first time in centuries, tears streamed down my face. I, the ruler of death itself, cried. My sobs echoed in the empty hall, raw and unrestrained.

I whispered, my voice shaking, "Lucifer, you infuriating, stubborn fool. You're not allowed to leave me. Do you hear me? I love you. I..." The words caught in my throat, foreign yet achingly true. "I love you, Lucifer Salvatore Di Carlo. And if you die, I swear I will drag you back from the gates of the underworld myself."

His chest rose suddenly, and a sharp gasp escaped his lips. My head snapped up, my heart pounding as his eyes fluttered open. For a moment, he looked disoriented, his gaze flickering before settling on me.

"Moon?" His voice was weak but unmistakably alive.

Relief flooded through me, and I let out a laugh, tears still streaming down my face. "Yes, you fool. It's me. You scared the life out of me... quite literally." I couldn't stop the trembling in my hands as I cupped his face, brushing away a strand of hair. "Don't you ever do that again."

He smiled faintly, his thumb brushing against my cheek. "You cried for me?"

I rolled my eyes, though my voice betrayed my vulnerability. "Don't get used to it."

He chuckled softly before pulling me closer. "I love you too, Moon. Always have. Always will."

His confession made my heart ache in ways I never thought possible. Before I could respond, his lips met mine. The kiss was gentle at first, filled with unspoken promises and emotions we had both buried for too long. But it deepened, becoming a fervent expression of everything we couldn't put into words.

For that moment, the world faded away. There was no throne, no demons, no schemes-just us.

Later, as we sat together in his chambers, the warmth of his presence grounding me, a voice echoed in my mind. It was cold and commanding, a summons from the depths of hell.

"Your time here is over, La Muerte. Return to your realm. You cannot linger among the living."

I froze, my heart sinking. I knew this would happen. My time here was borrowed, fleeting. But the thought of leaving him so soon, after everything, was unbearable. I made a silent vow to myself: if I had only one day left, I would make it unforgettable.

The next morning, I surprised him with a simple request. "Lucifer, let's spend the day together. Just us. No interruptions."

He looked at me curiously but agreed without hesitation. "Anything you want, Moon."

We began our day at the Di Carlo gardens, a sprawling expanse of lush greenery and vibrant flowers. I insisted on a picnic under the old oak tree, where we shared stories and laughed more than we had in months.

"Do you remember the first time we met?" he asked, a playful glint in his eyes.

"How could I forget? You were the brooding heir with a sharp tongue, and I was the mysterious woman who refused to bow to you. I won the award just to make you angry. "

He chuckled. "You still refuse to bow."

I smirked. "And you love it."

The afternoon was spent in the city, disguised as ordinary people. We wandered through bustling markets, sampling local delicacies and dancing to the music of street performers. For a moment, it felt like we were just two people in love, free from the weight of our respective worlds. SHE gave a necklace just like the blaze heart looked. She made me wear it . I smiled while she was focused on the locket .

As the sun set, we returned to the palace, and he led me to a private dining room. The table was set with candles, and the air was filled with the aroma of rich, decadent dishes.

"Did you do this?" I asked, touched.

He shrugged. "I wanted our little meal together to be special."

My chest tightened at his words, but I forced a smile. "It's perfect."

After dinner, he took my hand and led me to his chambers. The atmosphere shifted, becoming charged with an unspoken tension. He cupped my face, his gaze intense.

"Moon," he began, his voice low, "are you sure?"

I nodded, my heart pounding. "I've never been more sure of anything."

What followed was a night of tenderness and passion. He was both dominant and gentle, his touch reverent as if he were afraid I might disappear. We explored each other in ways we never had before, every kiss, every touch, a declaration of love and trust.

Between soft laughter and whispered promises, we created a memory that would stay with me for eternity. As dawn approached, I lay in his arms, my head resting on his chest.

"I love you," I whispered, my voice breaking. "More than I ever thought I could."

He tightened his hold on me. "And I'll love you for as long as I live."

Tears filled my eyes as I closed them, savoring the warmth of his embrace. Tomorrow, I would leave. But for now, I belonged to him, and he belonged to me.

I woke up to the soft golden hues of sunlight streaming through the heavy drapes of my room. For a moment, the warmth on my face felt comforting. I reached out instinctively to the other side of the bed, expecting to find her there-her warmth, her presence .

But it was cold. Empty.

I sat up, my heart racing as a wave of panic surged through me. "Moon?" My voice cracked as it echoed in the silence of the room. My chest tightened as I scanned the bed, her side untouched except for a faint trace of her scent lingering in the sheets.

Throwing the covers aside, I stood and searched the room, hoping she was somewhere nearby. Her cloak was gone, as was the faint aura of power that always seemed to follow her. The realization struck me like a dagger to the heart. She had left.

Without a word. Without a trace.

I stumbled back to the bed, gripping the headboard for support as memories of the previous night flooded my mind. Her laughter, her confessions, her touch-all of it felt so vivid, so real, and now it seemed like a cruel dream.

My gaze fell to the bedside table. There was something there-a folded piece of parchment sealed with her crest. With trembling hands, I picked it up and broke the seal, praying for some explanation, some hope that this wasn't goodbye.

"Lucifer,

You're stronger than you believe. I saw it in your eyes, in your heart, and in the way you held me last night. You made me feel alive again . But I can't stay. My place is not here. I wish it were different; I wish I could defy fate and stand by your side forever. But this world, this mortal plane, was never meant to hold me.

Forgive me for leaving like this. I knew if I stayed, I wouldn't have the strength to walk away. But know this: you are my heart, my soul, and the only reason I wished I could stay mortal.

Until we meet again in my world this time , my love.

Forever yours,

La Muerte/ Amara Ashford / your MOON "

The parchment slipped from my hands as I sank to my knees, the weight of her words crushing me. "Why?" I whispered, my voice raw with emotion. My fists clenched, and I slammed them against the floor, the pain coursing through me barely a fraction of what I felt in my chest.

The room felt suffocating, her absence leaving a void that nothing could fill. Memories of her smile, her sharp wit, and the way she looked at me as though I was her entire world played in my mind like a tormenting symphony. I couldn't breathe, couldn't think-all I could feel was the ache of losing her.

I stumbled to the window, throwing it open and letting the morning air hit me. It felt cold against my skin, a stark contrast to the warmth she had always brought. I looked out over the vast grounds of the Di Carlo estate, the world continuing as though nothing had changed. As though my entire universe hadn't just walked away.

"You promised," I whispered to the wind, my voice breaking. "You promised to stay."

But I knew deep down, she had done this to protect me. To protect us both. Her sacrifice, her departure, was a testament to her love-but it didn't make the pain any less unbearable.

Hours passed, or perhaps it was minutes. Time had lost all meaning. I found myself back in my study, staring blankly at the fireplace. The flames danced, mocking me with their warmth. The world outside seemed distant, muted, as though it, too, was mourning her absence.

I reached for the necklace she had given me, the small charm that symbolized our bond. Clutching it tightly, I closed my eyes and whispered a prayer to a god I wasn't sure would listen.

"Bring her back to me. Just One more chance to tell her what she means to me."

But the silence that followed was deafening. She was gone, and I was alone.

As the night fell, I stood by the window, the stars above mocking me with their brilliance. Somewhere out there, she was watching, guarding, and fulfilling her duty as La Muerte. And though I knew she was beyond my reach, I vowed silently to find a way-any way-to bring her back.

Because without her, the world was nothing but darkness.

Days turned into weeks, and the ache in my chest only grew. La Muerte, my moon, was gone. She had left without a single word, leaving behind only the ghost of her presence in every corner of my life. The once vibrant halls of the Di Carlo estate now felt cold, lifeless. Even my work, the one thing that always kept my mind busy, seemed meaningless.

I threw myself headfirst into the underworld dealings, hoping the chaos of the mafia world would drown the storm inside me. I was reckless, more brutal than ever. Meetings turned into bloodbaths. Deals were finalized with bullets instead of signatures. My men, loyal but wary, whispered among themselves, unsure how to handle their boss spiraling out of control.

It was during one such deal gone wrong that I truly tested fate.

—

The warehouse smelled of oil and stale blood. Sanchez’s remaining loyalists thought they could outmaneuver me, but they underestimated my desperation. I stood amidst the chaos, bullets flying around me, yet I didn’t flinch. My men shouted orders, trying to gain control of the ambush, but I didn’t care.

A bullet grazed my arm, then another lodged in my side. I welcomed the pain, relished it. This could be it, I thought. The end.

"Boss, get down!" Marco shouted, pulling me out of the line of fire.

"Let me go, Marco," I growled, shoving him off.

"Not today," he hissed, dragging me behind a crate as the firefight continued.

By the time it was over, the warehouse was a massacre. My men had won, but I didn’t feel victorious. I walked over to the bodies of our enemies, staring at the lifeless eyes that reminded me of my own emptiness.

“You’re losing it, boss,” Marco said softly, his voice filled with concern.

“I lost everything the moment she left,” I replied, wiping the blood off my hands and walking away.

That night, the city lights mocked me with their brightness. I stood on the edge of a skyscraper, the wind howling around me. Below, the world moved on, indifferent to my pain.

I swayed slightly, the alcohol coursing through my veins numbing the physical pain but amplifying the void inside.

I stared down at the dizzying height, my fingers clutching the edge. "Maybe this is the only way," I murmured.

Closing my eyes, I leaned forward. Just as I felt the pull of gravity, something yanked me back.

An invisible force slammed me against the rooftop. I groaned, the wind knocked out of me.

“What the hell?” I gasped, looking around.

And then I saw HER.

At first, she was blurry, her figure shimmering like a mirage in the night. I rubbed my eyes, thinking it was the alcohol messing with me.

But there she stood, in all her deadly beauty.

“MOONNNN,” I whispered, my voice breaking.

She didn’t say anything at first, just looked at me with those eyes that had haunted my dreams. Her cloak billowed in the wind, her expression a mixture of anger and heartbreak.

“You fool,” she finally said, her voice like thunder and silk. “What do you think you’re doing?”

I stumbled toward her, unsure if she was real. “Am I dreaming?” I asked, my hands trembling as I reached out.

She stepped closer, and I felt her warmth, her presence. “You’re not dreaming, Lucifer,” she said softly, her fingers brushing against my cheek. “But if you jump, you’ll never wake again.”

Tears streamed down my face as I pulled her into my arms, holding her tightly, afraid she’d disappear again. “You left,” I choked out. “You left without a word. Do you know what that did to me?”

“I had to,” she whispered, her voice cracking. “But I couldn’t stay away. Not from you.”

I pulled back just enough to look at her face, searching for answers. “Why? Why now?”

She smiled faintly, her fingers tracing the scars on my face. “Because I couldn’t let you destroy yourself .”

The weight of her words sank in, filling the void she had left. For the first time in weeks, I felt alive again.

“Promise me,” I said, my voice trembling. “Promise you won’t leave again.”

Her smile grew, dangerous and beautiful. “Not unless you try something this stupid again.”

I laughed softly, the sound foreign but welcome. She leaned in, her lips brushing against mine in a kiss that sealed the promise.

The city below continued its indifference, but up here, on the rooftop, my world was whole again.

I'm feeling that nine clouds hapiness feeling or I'm just too drunk to feel this right now !!!

I’ve kept my eyes on him since the day I left. Watching him spiral, destroy himself piece by piece, was harder than enduring centuries of punishment in Hell because of his sins . Lucifer, the great mafia heir of Di Carlo , the ruler of Mafia , was behaving like a reckless mortal with a death wish.

I had been this close—this close—to breaking every rule, every barrier, and dragging him back by force. But no, he had to make it worse. He had to go and try to throw himself off a building.

When I caught him, I was furious. Furious at his stupidity, furious at his recklessness, but mostly furious at myself for leaving him in the first place.

But all that anger melted the moment he hugged me.

He held me like I was his lifeline, and in that moment, I realized something. No matter how angry I was at him, no matter how much he frustrated me, he was my weakness.

I smiled softly as I carried him to his bed. He wasn’t light, but I was stronger than I looked. He clung to me like a child, muttering incoherent words. The alcohol had dulled his senses, but his emotions were raw and unfiltered.

I gently placed him on the bed, thinking he’d fall asleep, but of course, he didn’t.

“Stay,” he mumbled, grabbing my wrist. His grip was surprisingly strong for someone so drunk.

“I’m not going anywhere,” I said, sitting beside him.

He pouted, yes, pouted, like a sulking child. “You always say that, and then you leave.”

I rolled my eyes. “Lucifer, I’m here now, aren’t I? Stop acting like a baby.”  he was being a cute baby boy !!

He frowned, crossing his arms. “I’m not a baby. You’re just mean.”

I couldn’t help but laugh. The great Lucifer, reduced to a petulant, sulking mess. “Oh, really? Then why are you whining like one?”

He sat up suddenly, wobbling a little before glaring at me. “I’m not whining. I’m... expressing my feelings.”

“Your feelings?” I raised an eyebrow, amused. “What feelings are those? Drunken regret or dramatic self-pity?”

He groaned, flopping back onto the bed. “You’re impossible.”

“And you’re ridiculous,” I shot back, leaning over him. “Now, lie down and sleep before you say something even more embarrassing.”

But of course, he didn’t listen. Instead, he grabbed my hand and pulled me down beside him.

“Stay here,” he demanded, his voice softer now. “Just for a little while.”

I sighed, but the truth was, I didn’t want to leave. I settled beside him, letting him hold onto me .

“You know,” he murmured, his voice slurred but sincere, “you’re the only thing that makes this stupid world bearable.”

I froze for a moment, his words catching me off guard. He looked at me with those piercing eyes, even through the haze of alcohol, and I saw the depth of his pain and love.

“Lucifer,” I whispered, brushing his hair back. “You’re an idiot, but you’re my idiot.”

He smiled, a genuine, boyish smile that made my heart ache. “I’ll take that.”

By morning, he was back to his usual self—or so he thought. I watched as he stumbled into the kitchen, his hair a mess, his shirt half-buttoned, and his expression one of pure confusion. He hugged me that instant and I hugged him back too.

“What the hell happened last night?” he grumbled, pouring himself a cup of coffee.

I leaned against the counter, smirking. “You mean besides you acting like a clingy baby and demanding I stay by your side all night?”

He froze, the coffee cup halfway to his lips. “I did what ?”

“Oh, you don’t remember?” I teased, crossing my arms. “You were very emotional. Lots of heartfelt confessions and dramatic declarations.”

His face turned red, a rare sight that made me laugh. “You’re lying.”

“Am I?” I said, leaning closer. “Shall I remind you of the part where you said I’m the only thing that makes this ‘stupid world bearable’?”

He groaned, burying his face in his hands. “Kill me now.”

“Too late,” I said with a grin. “You’ve already tried that.”

He glared at me, but there was no real anger in his eyes. “You’re enjoying this way too much.”

“Of course I am,” I replied, ruffling his hair. “You’re adorable when you’re embarrassed.”

He swatted my hand away, but I caught the small smile tugging at his lips.

As much as I loved teasing him, I had a mission. I couldn’t let him spiral again, and I certainly couldn’t let him follow me to Hell.

I summoned Enzo later that day, giving him explicit instructions. “Find a way,” I told him. “Talk to the heavens, the realms, whoever you need to. I don’t want power or status. I just want to stay here. As human as possible.”

Enzo, ever loyal, nodded. “I’ll get it done, ma’am.”

Lucifer, of course, overheard. “What are you plotting now?” he asked, leaning against the doorway.

“Nothing you need to worry about,” I said, giving him a sweet smile.

He narrowed his eyes. “That smile usually means trouble.”

I walked over, placing a hand on his chest. “Relax, Lucifer. For once, let me take care of things.”

He sighed, pulling me into his arms. “Just don’t leave again,” he whispered.

I rested my head against his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart. “I won’t,” I promised. And this time, I meant it.