Chapter 14
“Why don’t you work for me, then?”
Lilith had offered just like that. Despite the fact that she still owed him for their last agreement here she was giving Alastor exactly what he wanted. “Hmmm you already owe me a favour. What else could you possibly have to offer in exchange for me looking after your ex-husband? You know he and I don’t exactly get along, so I’m not really one you have to convince.”
“I can offer you royal access, and with it, status, a title, and reputation. You should take this deal while I’m offering it, Alastor. You and I both know there’s no way your reputation didn’t take a hit with what you told me of your rival’s little victory over you, however short lived it was.”
“He’s not my rival! He never truly became worthy of such an honour. Furthermore, his so-called victory over me was a planned and necessary manoeuvre for a greater purpose. However, I’m not saying no. While your offer does sound entertaining enough, it also sounds rather vague. I’m no fool, Lilith. Do elaborate.”
“I an knight you, Alastor. Thereby making you a royal guard and, if need be, disciplinarian over anyone foolish enough to attempt crimes against the crown. As such, you will have power, protection, and authority…within reason.” Lilith turned to Rosie, who had simply been sipping her tea and listening, “I believe this will also prove to be helpful in whatever future unruliness or discourse between overlords you may face.”
“Oh? Why should it be helpful to Rosie? If my deal is with you, how can it benefit her?”
“Because you will repay her years of guidance, and whatever other assistance she likely afforded you, by aiding her in matters pertaining to the other overlords. You will be the royal representative among them. Do we have a deal?”
Meanwhile back at the hotel, Lucifer couldn’t get the image of his wife leaving with Alastor out of his head. Truthfully, he was still seething. It was making it difficult for him to focus on preparing a nice desert as an after-dinner surprise.
Charlie noticed her dad furrowing his brows into the mixing bowl rather than actually making an effort to mix the batter. “Uh, dad, are you okay?”
“Huh? Oh…yes, I’m fine, perfectly fine, Char Char, what do you need?”
“You’re not still thinking about Alastor and mom, are you?”
“Psh, what’s there to think about? Just some dumb, overly familiar ‘friend’ of yours cozying up to your mother, likely plotting something, but ha jokes on him because Lily won’t fall for his charms.”
Charlie couldn’t hold in her giggles, “his charms?” It seemed like her mom might be right about her dad and Alastor…as awkward and strange as that was. “Dad, you wouldn’t happen to be jealous, would you?”
“What? Me? Jealous of that obnoxiously red bell hop? Why would I be? It’s not like Lily would ever be interested in him, he’s not her type, I would know. Besides, we’re not together anymore so I have no right to be jealous, but she could certainly do so much better than Mr. Useless.”
Charlie wanted to clarify that she had meant was he jealous over Alastor, but her mom had said Alastor and her dad were a couple of idiots who needed time to figure things out for themselves. Charlie had felt that was a bit harsh, but now that she was paying attention, maybe her mom was right. Her mom had always been good at noticing and predicting things and Charlie had wondered if it was due to some sort of power of clairvoyance. Her dad did seem genuinely jealous, even if he said he wasn’t. “Ya know, mom and I talked about a few things before we joined you guys at the bar. She really isn’t interested in anyone right now. She wants to try being single and having choices for the first time.”
“Oh, I know, Charlie. I just want her to live her life and be happy…and I’m glad she doesn’t hate me.”
“Oooookaaaay, if you know this, then why are you so worried about her leaving with Alastor?”
“Because it’s HIM, Charlie! I just can’t explain it. I know, I know, he’s one of your friends and part of this hotel, and you trust him, and he’s such a great guy, and apparently he’s actually been useful to you once or twice, but something about that guy just grrrrrrr, he just rubs me the wrong way.”
“Uh huh?….annnnd?”
“And what? He’s just…I don’t know…something…okay?”
“Okay, dad. While you figure it out, maybe you could do a bit more mixing?”
“Of course! Forget about that smooth talking radio voice weirdo! We have a desert to bake!” He gave the batter a few quick whisks and then poured it into a spring form pan and popped it into the oven. “Now we just wait.”
With that they were seemingly back on track to some lovely father daughter bonding time. Now Lucifer just needed to focus on Charlie and keep his mind from wondering to Alastor out and about hell knows where with his ex-wife doing hell knows what. Lilith had barely been back a few hours and in that time Alastor had baited him into their usual bickering, hogged Lilith’s attention, reproached him for ‘not being civil’, and now won’t get out of his head.
Lucifer knew Lilith wasn’t interested in being involved with anyone again. She had never really wanted to be a wife. She’d only tried for him, because she really did love him. Lucifer knew this. He was thankful for all the years they spent together, but he had always known eventually the day would come when he would have to let her go. He really wanted to hold onto her, to his family, but he had sworn to himself that if she ever asked for her freedom, he wouldn’t try to force her to stay. That would make him as bad as Adam.
During those eight years of no contact, Lucifer had already come to terms with the possibility that she had already just left and moved on. So why was he so bothered by her leaving with Alastor? If she had left with anyone else, would he be like this? Nope. Lucifer already knew the answer. So why does it have to be Alastor?
Charlie was rattling off a list of wine ideas to have with dinner, but Lucifer was barely paying attention. Suddenly Charlie stopped naming wines and asked, “do you smell something?”
Both Lucifer and Charlie realized too little too late, they had set the kitchen on fire.
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