Chapter Fourteen

Son of a bitch, that hurt.

I had no idea where I was. I just felt numb now. The pain of Epimetheus's attack had faded away and I felt myself go numb. I wasn't sure where I was laying now. It felt like a cold marble floor. I thought for a second, maybe, just maybe I had somehow managed to survive Epimetheus's attack, until I opened my eyes and found myself laying in the middle of the floor of a really nice throne room.

It was white and prestine with gold drapes lining the hexagon shaped room. There were three doors, all gone and ancient designed with beautiful Biblical scenes, save for the door handles that were shaped like skulls. The center of the room was a large pentacle with a lightening strike cutting through the center, with ancient lettering running the length of it, all of this done in gold on the white marble floor. I tilted my head to the other side and found myself looking a very nice warm looking white throne with the same inverted pentacle behind it, the same lightening bolt cutting across it and the same ancient lettering. The throne was made of white marble with soft white feather pillows cushioning whoever had the right to sit there.

A second later, there was a warm feeling spreading through the room. A warm caress of sunlight on my cheek and I sighed at the sensation. I blinked, and one second I was laying on the floor, the next I was standing up and facing Lucifer.

Lucifer, the lord of Hell, was nothing like Google showed him. He wasn't a horned devil beast with a fork tongue and tail carrying a pitchfork. No, Lucifer was a fallen angel of God, and unbelievably handsome.

Incredibly tall with long wavy gold hair that he had tied into a loose ponytail over his shoulder, and eyes as blue as the sky on a clear summer's day. He wore a white leather jacket that clipped shut at the throat and zipped the rest of the way, matching his white leather pants and the white cloak that fell from its pinned places on his shoulders. The sight of him stole my breath away.

"Akin," He greeted, his ancient accent thick and lyrical, "It has been far too long since we've last seen each other." I blinked a few times.

"Oh. So I don't get into heaven?" I asked. Lucifer smiled sadly as he approached me. Part of me wanted to move away from him, but my body didn't allow it. He reached out to brush his knuckles against my cheek.

"And for that, I am very sorry, child. God only allows man into his haven, not demon. It is here where you will spend your afterlife." He told me gently, lowering his hand to his side. I flinched, pain cutting through me at the thought. I had already know where I would end up, to be honest. My particular lineage was of the Christian belief. My place was in Hell, and yet, my heart longed to go back to the Greek underworld. I wanted to be able to see Hannibal... But even then, I wouldn't be able to because Hannibal would be arrested and my soul would be plopped into the Fields of Asphodel where I would only have my memories of him to keep me company.

I wanted to cry at the loss, and my obscene stupidity. Hannibal was immortal. He could have survived that stab to the chest, but I couldn't bear the thought of having him hurt because of me, not again. Now I'd made it even worse by letting myself get killed.

"Ssh," Lucifer said softly, reaching out to cup my cheek, using his thumb to wipe a tear away, "Don't cry, young Akin. You won't be here for long." I looked at him in confusion.

"Did you miss the part where I got stabbed?" I asked, sniffling. Lucifer broke into a smile at that and stroked my cheek before lowering his hand.

"You didn't die under normal circumstances. You died in an attempt to save your lover. The Titan Hannibal. That kind of sacrifice must be rewarded." He answered. I stared at him in disbelief.

"But, you're Lucifer." I reminded him, which was probably a stupid thing to do, but instead of being angry, pain flitted through his crystal eyes.

"I believe you once said that everyone makes mistakes. While I cannot correct my mistake, I can only live with it and do what I can to take those who have also made horrible mistakes. Hell is not an inferno for the damned, not always. It is a haven for those who've made mistakes, for those who've been cast away by their God. Hell is not just for demons or misunderstood humans. It is a paradise, a second chance, for anyone. I open my arms to any creature. And, Akin, you are no devil. You are a saint. I know love when I see it and your sacrifice was the ultimate symbol of love in my book. But I don't want your second chance to be here in Hell. I want you to join the lover you protected." He explained gently. My heart swelled at that and it took everything I had not to hug him, because how weird would it be to tell people that I hugged Lucifer? Not to mention, as sweet as he was, he didn't look like the hugging type, so I just choked back my tears.

"Thank you. Thank you so much." I managed. Lucifer inclined his head, then paused to study me grimly.

"But I cannot give you everything, Akin. I will be giving you the body of a mortal. You will no longer be an incubus. Your soul will be, but your form is mortal. Should someone attack you again, that will be the end. They will damage your last body and your last soul and you will cease to exist," He explained, making me grimace, then suddenly he shrugged and averted his eyes, making me raise an eyebrow at his sudden change in demeanor, "But those damned Greeks are very good at destroying my hard work, so who knows? Maybe one of them will be nice enough to curse you to live for eternity as well. Ask your lover. He is the child of Lea, Atlantean goddess of curses and battle. He might be able to help."

"I... guess that's true. So, I'm not fucked, am I?" I asked. Lucifer lifted a thin regal brow at that.

"No, I suppose you aren't," Then his expression softened as he smiled, "It was good to meet you, Akin. You were one of my favorites." I looked at him, confused.

"Favorites?" I asked. He didn't answer. He held his hand out to me and a blast of power hit me in the face, stealing my breath away. A cyclone of dark clouds twirled around me rapidly, slowly blotting out Lucifer's face as he smiled and gave me a polite wave.

"Wait, what did you mean favorite?!" I called over the noise. Lucifer responded, but because of the roar of the dark clouds around me, I couldn't hear a single thing he said. I suddenly felt like I was being torn through a worm hole, but I couldn't move. I just felt myself falling at a rapid speed, making me cry out. Everything was turning black because of the cloud, and a second later, I blinked and the dark clouds disappeared and I was shouting, shooting up right and into Hannibal's arms.

I looked around, breathing frantically and grabbing at him as he held onto me. I found myself sitting in that same creepy dark apartment, but now all the Sons of Hades were in the room, jumping back in disbelief when I shot up screaming. All of them were wearing Hades's war armor, black and form fitting with gold trims. Hannibal was struggling to calm me down, taking my face in his hands and looking at me with supreme concern.

"Akin? Akin, is that really you?" He asked, the hope in his voice hearwrenching. I blinked, trying to fight back the tears at seeing him, but I couldn't, so I let them fall down my face to his hands as I reached up to cup his face, studying his face.

"Oh my god, Hannibal, I'm so, so sorry I did something so stupid. I wasn't thinking-- I didn't want to see you get hurt again." I stammered. Hannibal didn't seem to care. He put his arms around me and hugged me to him tightly. I hugged him back desperately, blinking past the tears as I cradled him to me. I looked up to see Abel standing there, sighing in relief.

"That was a close one." He commented.

"Looks like Lucifer took mercy on you," Cerberus muttered with a concerned frown, "That's new. He usally don't spit people back up." Charon gave him a grimace.

"He's not evil, Cerberus."

"That's what people say about Hades."

"Good point."

"Don't let him hear you say that," Noe said from beside Zelios, who was watching us with a curious stare, "He'll probably skin you both." Charon and Cerberus both winced at that. Alexion scoffed, folding his arms over his chest, but thought better of speaking and thank goodness he did, because a second later, we all vanished from the apartment and appeared in the Hall of Hades.

"Whoa," I managed, grimacing and clutching the side of my head, "That... That made me nauseous." Hannibal nodded in agreement, then stood up and helped me to my feet. We had just gotten to standing up when Cain shoved past Abel and Theo, going right for Hannibal, who turned to face him without a lick of fear, but I quickly got between them, facing Cain, who glared at me.

"Get the fuck out of my way, incubus. I only came along to kick the shit out of Epimetheus. I never promised to let that ingrate live." He sneered. Anger ripped through me and I shoved him hard, watching him stumble in surprise before his eyes flared angrily. I glared at him, clenching my fists.

"Touch him and I'll kill you." I threatened. Cain's eyes flashed dangerously as he took a step toward me, standing so close that I could feel his breath on my face.

"You don't threaten me. I could break your spine without even lifting a finger." He seethed. I glared at him.

"Bring it on. Because you're not touching him. He's mine. If I threatened Abel, you'd do the same thing." I tacked on coldly. Cain narrowed his eyes and he lifted a hand, but Abel came forward and caught him by the wrist, jerking him back quite roughly. Cain looked at him incredulously. Abel forced his arm down, giving him a stern glare.

"Don't touch him, Cain." He ordered. Cain was positively bewildered, looking back and forth between Hannibal, myself, and Abel, before he finally settled on looking at Abel, the pain in his eyes evident.

"But, he..." His voice trailed. Abel shook his head, reaching down between them to take Cain's hand in his own, lacing their fingers together before looking up to meet his eyes.

"I know, but I don't want everyone's lives ruined because of one mistake. If Akin is happy with him, then I'm happy for both of them," He said, turning to Hannibal, who stepped up beside me to take my hand tightly in his, "Hannibal, I'm glad you can finally be happy with someone." Hannibal still looked uncomfortable about being around Abel, but I reached up to take his face, turning him so he could look at me. I gave him a smile and I saw the corners of his mouth twitch in an attempt to smile. I leaned up and kissed him on the lips and he kissed me back before I pulled away, glancing around with a frown.

"Three things," I added, making Cain roll his eyes, "How did we get here? Where's Epimetheus? What'd I miss?" Abel arched a brow.

"Well, we came in as soon as we heard Hannibal flip out and saw what happened. We teleported inside and Malachi grabbed Epimetheus and took him to Tartarus with Hades. Judging from the fact that we were teleported here, Hades is on his way back with Malachi." He explained. I nodded, and no sooner did he finish speaking did Hades materalize into the room with Malachi by his side.

Hades was truly a force to be reckoned with. Well over six foot with long silky black hair that fell loosely down his back and decked out in pure sleek black steel armor and a long black cloak that fell across the floor behind him as he approached us. Malachi looked so similar to him that it was almost difficult to tell them apart if Malachi didn't have those eerie blue and black eyes, compared to Hades's icy cold ones.

"I have this weird feeling that my attempt to take Hannibal to Tartarus is gonna be difficult." He stated. My eyes widened and I stepped in front of Hannibal, facing Hades, who narrowed his eyes.

"Would you really throw away Lucifer's gift of a second chance for a pathetic rapist?" He asked dryly, making me flinch. Hannibal frowned and gave my hand a squeeze, trying to pull me back, but I didn't move as I glared at Hades.

"If you send him to Tartarus, you're sending me to Tartarus too." I told him firmly. Hades curled his lip, raking a sneer over me. I held my ground, though, as he approached me. Malachi went to grab him back, but Theo blocked his path and gave Malachi a warning glare that told him not to interfere. Malachi gritted his teeth. Hades walked right up to me so I had to actually tilt my head back to stare up at him. It wasn't every day I ran into someone taller than me. I held my breath, but didn't back down as he glared at me.

"I always knew there was something fishy about you," He told me, making me scowl at him, "And judging from your reaction, you don't know."

"Know what?" I demanded. Hades studied me for the longest time, cocked his head like he was listening to an inner voice, then shook his head and took a step back. He stared at Hannibal over my shoulder, his eyes glinting dangerously.

"To be quite honest, Hannibal," Hades said dryly, "I want to personally strip the skin from your bones and feed your innards to Hellhounds, but I can't risk war with Lucifer. Not after how hard we worked to form a treaty. It's not worth it to torture your pathetic soul." Hannibal said nothing, just gave him his usual flat stare. It seemed to irritate Hades, but he didn't say anything more to him as he turned to me with a narrowed gaze.

"If I hear he's done anything against my laws, I will flay him in front of you, then send you packing back to Hell." He warned. I just nodded numbly. Hades stepped away from me, then pinned his sons with a withering glare.

"As for the rest of you, get back to your posts. Leave civilian matters to your guards. The last thing I need is Zeus climbing up my ass about the Titans again, and as far as Zeus knows? Hannibal is dead." He added, shooting me a deadly glare. Everyone just sort of nodded, unsure of any words to say. Hades disappeared in a column of black smoke and as soon as we were sure he had vanished from the throne room, everyone let out a collective sigh of relief.

I whirled to face Hannibal, throwing my arms around his neck and pulling him down for a kiss. He kissed me right back without a moment's hesitation, then nuzzled my ear and kissed me there too. I squeezed him tight, purring at his attention.

"Achem," Abel cleared his throat and I stepped back, but still held onto Hannibal's hand when I looked at him with a droll stare, "I wouldn't interrupt if we still weren't in Hades's throne room. You might wanna finish your make out session there." I started to nod, then frowned.

"Wait, what did Hades mean when he told me I didn't know?" I asked. Abel shrugged and Theo scoffed, folding his arms over his chest.

"He always has to make up some stupid ass excuse for being the good guy. Just let it go. Otherwise, if you dig into it, he'll throw a temper tantrum and destroy you." He told him. Cain nodded in agreement and Cerberus snorted, whacking Theo upside the head and making him yelp.

"Look who's talkin', Prince of Temper Tantrums. Even Ayo doesn't act like you and he's, like, four."

"Fuck you in the ear with a carrot, mutt."

"Well, if that's really your thing--"

"Ew!" Theo shouted and vanished before Cerberus could continue. Cerberus laughed and disappeared right after him, his laughter echoing as he left. Zelios and Noe left next, both of them nodding to Hannibal and I, before they disappeared. Malachi disappeared as well, leaving Hannibal and I alone with Cain and Abel. I eyed Cain closely and he eyed Hannibal, who just stared at him blankly, then looked away to look down at me.

"I want to go home." Hannibal murmured. My eyes lit up at that as I looked up at him, feeling my heart swell at the fact that my home was now our home. Cain curled his lip and clenched his fist, but Abel put a hand on his shoulder, then looked at me with a smile.

"We wish you all the best, Akin. See you around." He added. Cain started to open his mouth, but Abel snapped his fingers and they both vanished. We took that as our cue as Hannibal teleported us to my apartment in Styx. It still looked nice and clean and the same again. I turned to Hannibal, reaching up to cup his face, savoring the feel of his skin beneath mine. I smiled up at him adoringly.

"I meant what I said before, Hannibal," I murmured to him, "I love you. I love you so much. I swear, I won't hurt you anymore. If I do, I give you full permission to smack me repeatedly." Hannibal's lips twitched at that and he reached up to place his hand over mine, closing his eyes and sighing.

"You can hurt me as much as you want. I wouldn't be able to hate you." He said. Tears filled my eyes and I leaned up to kiss him. He put his arms around me, holding me close. I purred at the way his body felt against mine. I wanted to go further, but I don't think that was such a good idea. I pulled back to stare up at him, reaching up to brush the bangs out of his face so I could see that scarred milky white eye. I smiled and pulled his head down so I could kiss his scarred eyelid before I leaned away to study his face.

"Thank you so much for coming into my life, Hannibal. I'm honestly not sure where I'd be without you." I told him. Hannibal looked a little surprised at that, and I was thrilled to see him more expressive now.

"You're thanking me? I should be thanking you." He added, then leaned down to kiss me on the nose. I resisted the urge to make obscenely sounds of excitement. I just kissed him a little more before we went upstairs to lay down on the bed in the loft.

"How did you know where I was? Epimetheus had moved me after I contacted Theo." I told Hannibal as we laid cuddled up in bed. I was absolutely ecstatic to have him in his usual place, his head against my abs, arms around my waist and body hiding under the blankets. I never understood his need to sleep like that, but it was just too adorable for me to question it.

"I heard you," Hannibal murmured, tilting his head up so his chin was against my abs, eyes peering up at me past the blankets, "When we went into one of the mills. I heard your voice. The others set up the barrier after I had come inside." I smiled at that, stroking the hair back of his face before taking his chin in my hand, brushing my thumb across his bottom lip. He gazed up at me for the longest time before he lifted his hands and started to push my pants down my hips. I watched him curiously, then gasped as he took me into his mouth. I sank my hand into his hair, moaning.

"Hannibal, is this okay?" I breathed. Hannibal answered me with a moan around my cock and I hissed past clenched teeth at how perfectly I fit into his mouth. His tongue worked around my shaft, teasing and sliding. I was a little worried that he was forcing himself to do something so soon after what had happened to him, but my body refused to settle down, so I let Hannibal work his magic mouth around me until I felt a shudder course through my body and I came, growling low in my throat and tightening my grip on Hannibal's hair. He didn't seem to mind.

He pulled his head back, licking me off his lips and peering up at me.

"You taste good, master." He purred. My whole body trembled at that and I felt like I was going to come again just from having him whisper those words against my cock. I reached down to cradle his face, catching my breath.

"Will you let me taste you in return, pet?" I asked gently. Hannibal nodded and slid up along my body. I laid on my back, watching Hannibal straddle my waist, looking down at me with a hooded, lusty gaze that made my heart quicken. Oh yeah, this was going to be the death of me. He leaned down to kiss me and I kissed him back, sliding my hands up and down his back, savoring the feel of corded rippling muscles beneath my hands. I slid a hand up into his hair, threading my fingers through it, watching the way it fell away from my hands like black ink.

I flipped us around so Hannibal was on his back beneath me now. I slid my hands along his chest, watching the way it rose and fell with his heavy breathing, his eyes watching me. I bit my lip when I saw his muscles tense. I rested my hands on his chest now, looking down at him in concern when his eyes flickered.

"Do you... Do you maybe want to top tonight?" I asked hesitantly, a sliver of fear cutting through me. I didn't like bottoming. Granted, my only experience with it had been Dimitri and I knew not everyone was as cruel as he had been, but it had still been a very unpleasant sensation that I didn't want to attempt, but if it meant making Hannibal comfortable, I didn't mind.

But Hannibal shook his head, reaching up to run his hands along my cheeks and into my hair, but he didn't pull because that was one of my rules. He just played in it for a moment before guiding me down so our lips met. He kissed me deeply, making me moan deep in my throat before we parted.

"I want you inside me." He whispered against my ear. A shiver coursed through me and I nodded, summoning a small bottle of lubrication as I leaned back on my hunches to pour a liberal amount across my fingers, then looked up to see Hannibal holding his legs open, hands under his knees. It took everything I had not to moan and melt at the sight of him holding himself open for me. I leaned in between his legs, sliding my hand along his shaft for a moment before slipping my fingers inside him. His leg twitched and he tilted his head back against the pillow, biting his bottom lip.

I was still a little nervous about doing this to him, but he seemed to be enjoying it. He moaned low in his throat, a deep masculine sound that chilled me to the core of my soul. A delicious sweet sound. I moved slowly and tenderly so as not to hurt him, rubbing against him before pushing back inside.

"Please stop teasing me," Hannibal breathed after a few minutes, "I've been waiting way too long for this." I smiled at that and poked him a little further before withdrawing my hand, lathering myself up before leaning over top of him, watching him pant for breath as I entered him slowly. His muscles tensed and I hesitated, watching his eyes screw shut. I studied him a bit worriedly, reaching up to cup his face.

"Are you sure?" I asked.

"Yes." Hannibal moaned, tilting his head back impatiently and pushing against me. I complied with his pretty pleas and moved carefully. He still looked tense, but I didn't move until he started to move. I let him set the pace before we moved as one single component. He reached for me and I let him put his arms around me as I cradled him to me in return, breathing hard as I felt him panting in my ear. I was careful with him, didn't move roughly or harshly. Just a steady rhythm that made him squirm and writhe beneath me.

"Say it again, please, master." He purred into my ear. I smiled, feeling tears threaten to well in my eyes, but I blinked them back as I kissed his ear, then ran my tongue along the shell of it before breathing hotly against it.

"I love you, Hannibal. I love you so much. I can think of no place better in the world, than being inside you, being with you." I murmured. Hannibal moaned and buried his face against my neck and I felt his body quivering as he reached his peak.

"I... love you too... Akin... Thank you for loving me." He breathed. I clung to him as we both trembled in release, panting hard. I savored the sound of Hannibal mewling preciously as I filled him with an unbelievable heat before I withdrew and flopped on the bed beside him. And as usual, Hannibal sank below the covers to hug me around the waist, this time his grip tighter than usual. I held him close to me, letting my eyes drift shut.

You're welcome, Hannibal.

I'll love you forever and always