release, as once again being under his control I must have been rendered unconscious for him to get me back to the mortal realm. I suppose we all had our secrets, and Lucifer was no different. For it was clear he would not have wanted me to see how he had created a portal so easily… a rare and extremely powerful gift indeed, and a secret kept for good reason.
But now I was back.
And my first act in the mortal realm was a pitiful one. Because I don't know how long I sat there and cried for, but it was almost as if someone was giving me the chance to mourn my loss. I knew this, for the moment I had finished, and my tears had all but dried up and left me, was when I finally heard something other than my own misery.
And I knew that when someone did finally discover me here, all they would find was nothing left but an empty husk. A feeling as though I was a shell of myself with no hope in sight. In fact, I was starting to wonder if I shouldn't just go out there and commit some random act of horror against the human race just so I could find myself back in Hell once more.
A single thought that almost turned itself into an absolute when suddenly I heard the unlocking of a door. This was before that same length of material was pushed back and in walked a Being I had not seen for a long time. And well, considering we were in the mortal realm, this made it all the more shocking, making me shout out his name the second I saw the very last King I ever expected to see…
“Asmodeus!”
Twenty-Two
LUCIFER’S MISTAKES
“Asmodeus!”
I shouted his name in shock, wondering what it must have taken to get him here, for I knew that the Devil’s kings and the rulers of these realms of Hell rarely left… and for good reason. They were stronger in their own territories but also, no one wanted to leave their own kingdom without its ruler for long, and although time worked differently in the mortal realm than it did in Hell, there were many variations to this, because it all depended on where you were, for some places in Hell could mean that a month could equate to a single day passing for humans. Naturally, this also worked the other way around for years in the mortal realm could be but one in Hell. It was the same with the Elemental Realms, along with the Shadowlands, which in themselves were classed as being in Hell as much as they weren’t… simply put, it was all so confusing.
But despite all of this, here Asmodeus stood, and now very much looking the part of 17th century nobility. He wore a long open jacket that was purple with a silver brocade design. Underneath this, he wore a long waistcoat that was a darker shade than his jacket, and had a line of round silver buttons embossed with what I assumed was the Draven family crest. Dark breaches and shoes completed the outfit, that were of a type I gathered were typical of the fashion these days. Again, his dark curls were pulled back from his face, showing off the handsome lines of his strong jaw. High cheekbones combined with a fine figure stood up proud and straight, which was a position that spoke of power, confidence, and an attractive arrogance that his situation as a royal granted him.
In short, the King looked good… better than good.
“What are you doing here?” I asked, getting back to the important question and blushing, considering the last time I saw him he had kissed me.
“Did I not say until next time, pretty girl, for here you are, alive and well… if not a little sombre,” he said, adding this last part as if he could still see what remained of my tears.
“I am not exactly well, far from it after Lucifer cast me out,” I said bitterly.
“Ah yes, the Beast… and of course the very reason I am here now,” he said, piquing my interest instantly and making me shout,
“Abaddon!” He paid no attention to this, so I quickly continued,
“That's why you're here? Is he alright? What happened? Did he discover that it wasn't me, that I am not there, that there was an impostor?! By the Gods, please tell me!” All these questions came out of me in a rush, and